I really can't handle the ball

Chapter 20 Kill No. [-] and We Are No. [-]
"Hello! Audience friends, good evening everyone! Next up is the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, which will be played against the Marquette Golden Eagles and the Kentucky Wildcats."

In the studio, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith warmed up for the game with smiles on their faces.

TNT TV station attaches great importance to the Sweet 16 match, which will be broadcast live across the United States, and sent this pair of golden partners to serve as live commentators.

"There are a lot of things to watch in this game, but the most eye-catching one should be Xuan Li, the magical Oriental who averaged 25+ per game in two consecutive knockout matches."

"Yes, Lee's outstanding performance can be compared with Carmelo Anthony of Syracuse University next door."

"The No. [-] candidate's offensive ability is really good, but Lee is not bad either. He hasn't missed a three-pointer so far. He is known as 'Little Ray Allen'."

"But the opponent he will face tonight is the top-seeded Kentucky Wildcats known for their iron-blooded defense!"

"Man, after watching Lee's warmup, you won't think so. He's a really good shooter. Kentucky should be worried."

"Partner, what you said makes sense, but anything can happen in a game."

"Let's wait and see whether Lee continued his miraculous performance and led the Marquette Golden Eagles to an upset victory, or whether the Kentucky Wildcats used team basketball to defend the team's glory!"

After the two talked, they asked the camera brother in front to switch the camera to the playing field.

There was a clear distinction in the auditorium. Fans from both sides sat in different camps, wearing T-shirts cheering for their respective home teams.

In addition to the die-hard fans of the two teams, many neutral fans also came today.

These people came to watch this game with only one purpose, and that was to see how miraculous the oriental players were playing as reported in the newspapers.

When they saw Li Xuan's unique warm-up activities, they knew that the trip was worthwhile, and they looked forward to the next game even more.

At the same time, many fans gathered in front of the TV, and they also watched the game with this mentality.

"Come on wild cat! Shred the chicks!"

"Marquette Golden Eagles must win!"

“李，加油！射穿肯塔基！”

As the game approached, the cheers and shouts of fans on both sides became higher and higher.

After a brief appearance ceremony, the starting players of both sides appeared one after another amidst cheers.

The starting lineup for the Kentucky Wildcats is: Alvin Ralph, Keith Bogans, Azubuike, Estier and Chuck Hayes.

The starting lineup of the Marquette Golden Eagles has been slightly adjusted compared to the previous game. The starting lineup is: Dinard, Wade, Li Xuan, Steve Novak, Scott Maynard.

In order to crack the absolute defense of the highly mobile Kentucky Wildcats, coach Kline deliberately put Novak on the starting lineup.

"Steve, why are you shaking? Is it okay?" Li Xuan looked at Novak whose calf was trembling beside him, and asked with concern.

"I...I'm fine, just a little nervous, Li, are you nervous for the first time?" It's okay not to speak, Novak did tremble a little when he spoke.

"I don't feel anything. I remember Dwyane taught me a way. Try to take a few deep breaths, then exhale slowly, and you will relax. You can try it."

Novak tried Li Xuan's method, but he still couldn't relax. He said eagerly, "Li, this method doesn't work. Maybe it's because I'm playing against the top seed in the tournament tonight, which makes me too nervous."

"Isn't it better to play against the top seed? Get rid of them, we are the top seed, and then we can fight to the end!"

Li Xuan said calmly, and Novak next to him was stunned when he heard it.

Kill the first and I will be the first?

There seems to be nothing wrong with this, the logic makes perfect sense!

As expected of a god of learning, his brain is easier to use than his own.

Novak thought about Li Xuan's words and felt very philosophical, so he didn't feel nervous for a while.

At this moment, the referee came to the middle circle with a basketball and signaled the players on both sides to get closer and prepare to jump the ball.

After Hayes finished the preparations for the jump ball, he looked up and was a little dazed. He never expected that the opponent's small forward Li Xuan was the one who jumped the ball with him.

In fact, there was no other way. Novak and Maynard bounced too slowly, and most of them couldn't jump the ball. Another reason was that Hayes was too short, and Li Xuan could just suppress him.

After the two sides were ready, the referee blew his whistle and threw the ball into the air.

Li Xuan started quickly, jumped hard, stretched his long arms, touched the basketball first, and moved towards the Wildcats' half court.

The moment Li Xuan jumped the ball, Wade ran towards the opponent's half court. This was a jump ball strategy that they had discussed before the game, and they completed it very tacitly.

Before the players of the Wildcats could react, Wade had already received the basketball from the three-point range, and then strode into the inside with lightning speed, facing the empty defense with one hand and dunking, Go first for the team!

2: 0!

By the time the players of the Kentucky Wildcats came to their senses, Li Xuan was already punching Wade to celebrate!
"Oh my god! This is too fast!"

"One second I was jumping the ball, and the next second I was dunking!"

"Score in less than two seconds, Marquette Golden Eagles YYDS!"

The fans in the auditorium also reacted and let out bursts of exclamation.

Because it happened so quickly, some fans at the scene missed this wonderful fast break, and they could only know what happened just now by watching the replay on the big screen at the scene.

After watching the replay, they also exclaimed and discussed the fast break with their friends next to them.

Offensive and defensive transition, it is the turn of the Kentucky Wildcats to attack.

Unlike the opponents encountered in the previous two knockout rounds, the Kentucky Wildcats have no offensive strengths, and are a team with balanced offense and strong defense.

The advantage of this lineup is that you can't completely contain their firepower, but the disadvantage is also obvious. At critical times, it is difficult for such a team to have a player who can stand up and end the offense.

The Kentucky Wildcats continued to carry out complex pick-and-roll coordination. After passing the ball many times, they tore apart the defense of the Marquette Golden Eagles. Finally, Bogans made an air-cut layup and scored 2 points.

2: 2!

The Marquette Golden Eagles served from the baseline, and Dinard watched his teammates move while controlling the ball across the half court.

Seeing the situation on the court, it was clear that the Kentucky Wildcats had done their homework. Li Xuan and Wade were surrounded by defenders all the time. It can be said that these two were heavily marked from the very beginning of the game.

Dinard glanced at the inside, Novak went to the outside of the three-point line and settled down, and Maynard brought it up to cooperate with the pick-and-roll, and the inside was pulled very empty.

Seeing that the pick-and-roll was ready, the moment Dinard moved towards Maynard's cover, he suddenly accelerated his dribbling frequency, his body sank, and he quickly changed direction and broke through in the opposite direction.

The sudden change caught Ralph by surprise, and it was too late to move laterally to block him, so he could only turn around and chase.

Hayes, who didn't follow out, quickly returned to the basket to defend, but saw Dinard throwing the ball into the air, thinking in his heart that the defense failed this time.

After completing the pick-and-roll, Maynard did not run to the inside, but came to the middle distance on the right side and made an off-ball screen again.

Li Xuan quickly moved this way, used the screen to get rid of the defender, quickly cut inside to the basket, rose into the air, caught the basketball in the air with both hands, and dunked hard into the basket.

4: 2!

The two explosive dunks at the beginning boosted the morale of the Marquette Golden Eagles and took the initiative on the court.

(End of this chapter)