The invincible kryptonite of basketball

Such things as enthusiasm are the most indispensable in a team dominated by freshmen and youngsters.

"The opponent proposed to play us in the invitational game at this time because they saw our poor performance this season and wanted to use us to increase the team's popularity, so this is destined not to be an easy game, but I hope you will show 120% of the state Come on, win this game." Seeing the blood on the players' faces, Calhoun hit the railway while it was hot.

"We will win."

"We will win!"

……

The blood was passing, and until the end, the team members chanted slogans in unison.

Calhoun nodded in satisfaction. Since everyone is ready for this tough away game, he has nothing to worry about.

The news that UConn will go to Washington quickly spread among the fans, and the fans were extremely excited.

The team's performance was sluggish at the beginning of the season, and now the state is recovering. It is a good thing to take such an opponent to sacrifice the flag.

Some die-hard fans managed to get thousands of tickets to the scene, and they planned to organize a group to cheer for the team.

Even this game has attracted a lot of attention from other NCAA teams.

Veteran and strong, facing the top of the league, this kind of matchup is already attractive enough, not to mention there are two geniuses duel.

（注：沃克本赛季截至目前场均22.6分5.3板4.6助攻，克莱·汤普森场均24.6分5.6篮板，三分球命中率高达49%，场均4+个三分。）

For the invitational tournament, Washington State University naturally did a lot of publicity before the game.

The day before the game, this matchup was directly on the front page of the NCAA, and it was highly anticipated.

Washington State University also attaches great importance to this game. They did not choose their campus basketball stadium, but used Martin Stadium, which they will only use in the knockout stage.

Martin Stadium is usually used for football games. After the seats are arranged on site, it can accommodate more than 3 people. This number is more than the number of people that can be accommodated in all NBA arenas.

But that's the NCAA.

You must know that when it comes to the finals, the venues that are generally selected have a capacity of 6 to 8 people, and the atmosphere on the scene is much hotter than in the NBA.

The arena with more than 3 people was basically full that night. Except for a fan who was sitting close to Qiankang University in a corner, all of them were fans of the home team. There were students, middle-aged uncles and even some old Sir, that feels more lively than the NBA All-Star Game.

An opening ceremony was also held at the scene, and the players of the two teams were introduced one after another.

Walker's appearance ushered in a burst of cheers, but when Thompson played, the scene was completely ignited.

Thompson is now among the best in the pac-10 league in points per game and is one of the hottest stars in the league.

Tang Tian also saw Thompson, wearing the No. 1 jersey. He was different from him who would be called "Buddha" by fans in the future. The same is very conspicuous.

After the opening ceremony, the players of the two teams conducted the final warm-up training before the game.

Just then, sideline reporters interviewed Washington State University head coach Tony Benner.

Bernard is only about 35 years old, even in the NCAA, he is also among the youngest coaches.

He seemed to be in good spirits and full of spring breeze.

Washington State University has never advanced to the top 16 of the tournament before, and was not favored before the season, but now it is at the top of the pac-10 league, and it has also invited UConn to play, which can be described as the pinnacle of school history.

"Coach, what kind of opponent do you think University of Connecticut is?"

"They are a great team. They have won two NCAA championships and reached the Elite Eight the year before last. It is very challenging to play against such a powerful opponent," Boehner told reporters. Kangda was praised in front of him.

Chapter 14 Three Point Machine

"Then why did you choose Kangda as your opponent?" The reporter then asked.

Kangda is currently in a mediocre state, and Bena's previous words are more like saving face for himself, and there is something in the reporter's question.

"We need this kind of opportunity. We want to prove the strength of our team. At the same time, this is also an opportunity to show the strength of the Pac-10 league." Bernard's answer was airtight, and he obviously made sufficient preparations before the game.

"Do you think the team has a good chance of winning tonight?" The reporter then asked.

"Of course, although the opponent is very strong, we are just as good. We have the best shooting guard Klay Thompson." When Boehner said about Thompson, his face was full of pride.

"Yeah, Klay is a great scorer, but as far as I know, Connecticut has had a new guy who's been exceptionally good defensively lately, and guys like Jimmy Butler, Dion Waiters, he's completely limited by him. "The reporter reminded.

"I know, Tang Tian, ​​his defense is very good, but we have prepared a countermeasure, he can't stop Clay's performance, and we also know that he has obvious weaknesses." Bernard looked very confident.

"You mean he hasn't gone too far?" the reporter asked tentatively.

"Look, you already know, it's not a secret." Bena said with a smile.

The reporter smiled knowingly.

The interview was very short. When this wave ended, a long whistle came from the sidelines, and the players of the two teams returned to the half court one after another.

The game started immediately, and the sound of drums and cheers came out in unison, and the decibel was twice as loud as that of UConn's home court.

Playing in such a high-pressure environment is really hard for most people's hearts.

The starters of the two teams came on stage one after another.

At Washington State University, Thompson is the star, and at UConn, it is Walker who dominates.

Tang Tian didn't start, he was still sitting on the bench, but unlike before, he was almost next to the vacant spot, and he was the player with the highest rotation order in the team.

"beep!"

With the whistle of the referee, the ball was thrown into the air, and the game officially began!

Oriachi beat his opponent by jumping and gave UConn a chance to take the lead in attacking.

"Defense! Defense!"

At the beginning of the scene, the DJ led the audience to shout, and the loud shouts shook people's eardrums a little.

Walker held the ball, and Washington State University directly put up a 2-3 zone defense.

Zone defense means that the players' defense on the field is not aimed at people, but only at areas. Each is responsible for their own defensive area, and then join forces to form a half-court defense.

根据防守侧重不同，联防又分2-3/3-2/2-2-1/2-1-2等等。

Because the NCAA does not have a three-second defense rule, many teams will use zone defenses in games.

The reason why Washington State University can rise rapidly this season, in addition to Thompson's excellent offensive performance, is also a very important reason for the good defense.

The 2-3 zone defense they put up at this time focuses on the inside defense.

The key to breaking the zone defense lies in the pick-and-roll, Walker beckoned, and Oriachi quickly mentioned the three-point line to do the pick-and-roll.

Walker used the pick-and-roll to break through to the high position, but the players who helped defend were quickly in place.

It can be seen that the defense of Washington State University is not dead, but full of flexibility.

However, Walker's ability is indeed the top category in the NCAA, throwing his hands through the wall and giving the ball to Lamb on the outside.

Lamb had an open three-pointer, and he directly chose to shoot.

"boom!"

The shot was a little off, and the basketball eventually bounced out of the hoop.

Lamb has a three-pointer, but obviously, his three-pointer is not stable.

Washington State University controlled the rebound, and after the guard advanced to the frontcourt with the ball, he directly called for a tactical move.

Thompson started running off the ball around various pick-and-rolls.

Washington State University's insiders are not tall, but they move fast enough. After a few pick-and-rolls, UConn's defense obviously couldn't keep up.

Thompson had a chance around a 45-degree angle on the right, and the defender passed the ball immediately.

Thompson shot directly after receiving the ball.

Bend your knees, take off, straighten your arms, and move your wrists.

Thompson's shot is quite smooth, just like a textbook.

And the shooting speed is very fast, Kangda's defense is completely too late.

"Shh!"

The basketball goes straight into the net.

Washington State University takes the lead!

The cheers erupted in an instant.

This is Klay Thompson, who they love so much. Every night, there will be a rain of three-pointers, and the opponent's scalp will be numb.

The first shot in the opening game was hollow. It seems that his touch tonight is quite good.

Going back to the defensive end, Washington State University still defends a 2-3 zone defense. It seems that Benner is sure that UConn's outside three-pointer is not good.

Walker continued to encounter help defenses through Oriachi's pick-and-roll breakthrough. He scored the ball to Smith who was open, and Smith made a three-pointer after receiving the ball.

"boom!"

Still iron.

Kangda missed two open three-pointers in the opening game!

Calhoun's face was a little ugly at this time.

There is nothing wrong with Kangda's method of breaking the zone defense, but the problem is that it can't make open shots, and no top coach can do anything about it.

Washington State University received defensive rebounds and attacked the frontcourt with almost the same tactics.

UConn's help defense has been well followed, but Aureaqi's movement speed is still slow, and Thompson got a chance in the bottom corner.

Washington State University's attention was on Thompson, and the defender passed the ball immediately.

This time the opportunity was not as good as the last time. Thompson received the ball, and Auriacchi struggled to make up the defense.

But Thompson is obviously more than just a spot-up shooter. After catching the ball, he faked a shot and flicked a shot. After deceiving Oriachi, he took a step to the side and then shot.

The ball flew through an arc, and the trajectory was very positive.

"Shh!"

Another crisp sound echoed in the stadium.

Thompson made his second three-pointer and scored!

He scored two three-pointers in a row at the beginning!

Feeling hot and hot!

After the goal, Thompson was also a little excited, and reached out to make a three-point gesture when returning to defense.

The cheers on the scene broke out again, and the momentum became more and more alarming.

A dunk can detonate the scene, as can consecutive three-pointers!

In Kangda's offense, Walker suddenly accelerated after using the pick-and-roll this time, and made an emergency stop after squeezing past the defense.

A hard-fought defense by a Washington State University player.

"boom!"

The ball was too difficult, and the ball bounced high off the back edge of the basket.

Kangda's attack, still not in!

There were constant cheers at the scene.

After Washington State University got the rebound, it directly pushed the defense to counterattack, and it was Thompson again, who went to the frontcourt to receive the pass from his teammates, and chose to chase the three-pointer directly against Smith's defense!

Smith's defense on this ball is completely in place, and Thompson is confident in his shot, a strong shot against the defense!

The ball over Smith's defense, across the air across a whirling arc.

"Shh!"

Still in!

Thompson scored three three-pointers in the opening game!

The scene completely exploded.

This is a three-point machine!