novelODS Chapter 7: The Mad March Begins!
Chapter 7: The Mad March Begins!
"UCLA!"
"UCLA!"
"UCLA!"
The atmosphere at the scene quickly ignited, and the fans' cheers inspired every player!
"Let's give a warm welcome to Zeng Zhen, the superstar guard from China!" During the entrance ceremony, when the DJ called out Zeng Zhen's name, the fans in the stadium erupted in applause and screams!
Zeng Zhen opened his arms and gave high-fives to his teammates and staff on both sides before jogging to his place on the field.
Zeng Zhen saw all the players from the University of Southern California, among whom two faces were most familiar to him.
One is Mayo, and the other is Taj Gibson.
Zeng Zhen recalls that OJ Mayo was the number one high school player in the United States. He was hailed as "the next LeBron James". In his freshman season, he averaged 20.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. He had a very comprehensive offensive skill set. In this year's draft, he was selected by the Grizzlies with the third overall pick. However, his performance declined due to off-court issues and he was eventually released by the NBA.
Taj Gibson is the second-leading scorer and rebounder at USC, averaging 14.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game. He is known for his excellent interior defense and athleticism. Zeng Zhen remembers that he was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 2009 NBA draft with the 26th overall pick. Taj Gibson gives the impression of being a tough guy!
Mayo looked languid, as if he didn't care about UCLA, while Gibson seemed eager and ready to make a big splash at any moment.
Zeng Zhen knew that getting through tonight wouldn't be so easy when he saw the two of them.
After the entrance ceremony, Zeng Zhen followed his teammates to Ben Holland's side.
It was clear that the coaching staff and all the UCLA players were a little nervous about this do-or-die game. For most of the Bruins players, they weren't like Love, Westbrook, and other high-achieving players who had a chance to enter the NBA. For many, their basketball dreams ended after finishing college basketball.
In the brutal single-elimination format of March Madness, a loss means the end of many people's basketball dreams!
After the initial excitement of entering the venue, Zeng Zhen has now calmed down.
"Kids, cheer up! When you step onto the court, you'll hear deafening cheers, boos from the opposing fans, fierce competition, controversial referee calls, and even moments when your shooting touch is ice cold!"
"But please don't back down, you all have each other behind you!!"
"I don't need every one of you to become a superhero. I just need you to do your part well and believe in the power of teamwork!"
"Please treat this game as if it were your last."
"Not for your families, not for the fans, but for yourselves who have worked so hard for so many years!"
"This is your basketball dream!!"
Go!
"Fight!!"
"fighting!!!"
Ben Holland is an experienced head coach who knows exactly how to ignite the fighting spirit in these young players.
All the players at UCLA were ignited by Ben Holland's speech, and they were all filled with passion.
"Zeng, according to the initial plan, you will come on during the rotation. The first task you need to do after you go on is defense, and then shooting. But if you don't come on, don't worry." After finishing his speech, Ben Holland came over and put his arm around Zeng Zhen's shoulder to give him instructions.
Zeng Zhen's role in the rotation at Ben Holland is not very important.
"Okay, Coach." Zeng Zhen nodded seriously.
Although Zeng Zhen knew he was better suited to playing point guard, he understood Ben Holland. If he were the coach, he wouldn't dare let Ben Holland be the primary point guard!
Zeng Zhen needs to use this playing time to prove his ability. As long as he demonstrates his ability, he can gain more trust, which will give him more autonomy and more playing time.
Even if he has a smooth run at UCLA, there won't be many more games to come, so he needs to seize every opportunity to showcase himself.
Zeng Zhen took his seat in the best viewing spot on the bench and placed a white towel above his left shoulder.
Zeng Zhen needs to cheer on his teammates from the sidelines and wait for Ben Holland's call!
Although he was scheduled to play during his rotation time in the pre-match preparations, the game is unpredictable and he needs to be ready at any time.
A short while later, with the referee's whistle, the match officially began.
USC starting lineup: OJ Mayo (point guard), Dwight Lewis (shooting guard), Daniel Harker (small forward), Davin Jefferson (power forward), Taj Gibson (center).
UCLA starting lineup: Westbrook, Collison, Mbah a Moute, James Keefe, Love.
After the game started, UCLA gained possession of the ball. Westbrook, with Love's screen, burst into the paint and drew a blocking foul from Daven Jefferson, calmly making both free throws.
Then, OJ Mayo assisted Dwight Lewis to hit a three-pointer, responding to UCLA's two points.
UCLA's tactics mainly revolve around Love's offense in the paint. Love's shooting touch was too tight today; he couldn't even score on simple drives to the basket after shaking off his opponents with his footwork.
Both teams were not very efficient in the first five minutes of the game, focusing on defense. They were both well aware of the importance of this game and neither dared to relax!
NCAA games are divided into two halves, each lasting 20 minutes.
Eight minutes into the game, Westbrook broke through and passed the ball to Collison, who missed an open three-pointer, turning the tide in favor of USC.
UCLA has more overall talent than USC, but they just couldn't make their shots today. It was as if the rim had a cover on it, while USC, led by OJ Mayo, scored repeatedly.
上半场还有8分11秒的时候，双方比分来到了23比18，UCLA落后着5分。
Despite Zeng Zhen looking at Ben Holland repeatedly, Ben Holland did not execute the rotation that Zeng Zhen had instructed him to use. In this adversity, Ben Holland chose to use the rotation lineup that he trusted more.
The first half ended quickly, with the score at 38-33, and the University of Southern California leading by 5 points going into the locker room.
UCLA struggled with long-range shooting today, relying more on drawing fouls and driving to the basket for two-pointers, which was very difficult to achieve. Love had 8 points and 10 rebounds in the first half, and 7 of Westbrook's 10 points came from free throws.
Meanwhile, at USC, OJ Mayo scored 16 points and 4 assists, while Taj Gibson added 8 points and 7 rebounds. The duo's excellent performance turned the tide in USC's favor.
"This is March Madness. Even UCLA, with its superior talent, can't say they're absolutely certain they can beat USC."
"UCLA's shooting percentage is too low, which allows USC to collapse their defense under the basket with impunity."
"This is a brutal single-elimination tournament. USC is doing very well under OJ Mayo's leadership. They play a very team game."
"I'm really looking forward to an upset. I'll see if UCLA becomes the first No. 1 seed to be upset tonight."
The commentator was shouting excitedly.
The underdog triumphs over the strong – this is a spectacle that many neutral fans enjoy watching.
Halftime locker room.
"Our tactics were executed very well, but we missed some shots that we should have made."
"It's okay, it doesn't matter. Just seize any opportunity."
"Don't hold back, just play to your normal level."
Ben Holland was summarizing the first half of the game. On the surface, he didn't seem flustered, but he already sensed trouble.
UCLA had a lot of opportunities in the first half, but they just couldn't capitalize on them.
Westbrook is not good at shooting, while Collison and Love are capable shooters, but one has just returned from injury and the other is carrying a minor injury, which has caused problems for UCLA's perimeter players.
This collective outside shooting problem has put UCLA in trouble.
Ben Holland scanned the crowd as he arranged the starting lineup for the second half!
When Ben Holland glanced at Zeng Zhen, he noticed that Zeng Zhen's expression was very calm.
Can this guy withstand the pressure?
Zeng Zhen's eyes revealed confidence and determination, as if he were saying to Holland, "Hurry up and replace me! I can solve the problem."