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Chapter 30: Suffocating Moment (New book, please collect monthly tickets and recommend tickets!)

Since becoming good friends, I have had in-depth communication with Qin Yue from time to time.
This was the first time Rachel Carlisle saw him so serious and earnest in a basketball game.

Indeed, in the March Madness, a stage where winners take all,
Every game can be described as a final where one thought can make the difference between heaven and hell.

But to Rachel, who knew Qin Yue's character well, the seriousness and solemnity he showed on the court tonight meant that Wake Forest had quietly fallen into a completely passive situation in the game.

Especially when I noticed through the camera in my hand that his confident eyes would become unnaturally different tonight.
Rachel knew very well that at this moment, Qin Yue had already shown a level of concentration on the court that he had never shown in any college game before.

On the field, Connecticut attacked.

Gordon's breakthrough forced Qin Yue and his teammates to shrink the defense zone. On the outside, under the cover of Okafor, Connecticut shooter Anderson, who was in an open position, received a pass from Gordon and made a three-pointer.

As we all know, because confrontation is encouraged, in most NCAA games, referees are more inclined not to blow the whistle on some penalties that may or may not be blown.

But even so, Gray, who had just pulled Gordon with his hand, couldn't stop the breakthrough of the star guard of the University of Connecticut.

Back to Wake Forest's offensive round.

Looking at the "death triangle" of Okafor, Villanueva and Armstrong on the court, Breen said during the commentary: "Facing this defense with an average height of 6 feet 11 inches, how will Wake Forest break through?"

As the proudest work of Jim Calhoun's coaching career, Connecticut's death triangle tonight was designed for Qin Yue of Wake Forest.

Just as the Demon Deacons knew they had to get past Connecticut if they wanted to advance to the Elite Eight.

How could Calhoun not know that Wake Forest was Connecticut's strongest competitor in the Phoenix Division?
Therefore, after entering March Madness, Kahun chose to change the lineup from the first round, and verified through the game the possibility of Okafor, Villanueva and Armstrong playing at the same time.

As a future legendary coach of Connecticut, Kahn knows better than anyone that in the decisive March Madness, each team's star player may enter the "Zone" mode in a certain game.

Therefore, if you want to avoid being overthrown as much as possible,
When the cards in one's hand are obviously better, the better the coach, the more he will try to reduce the possibility of the opponent's star player finding the "Zone" mode switch on the court.

As it turned out, Kahun did this perfectly through tactics.

Because after the first five minutes of this key battle, Wake Forest No. 10, who always does whatever he wants in the sky in the game, still has no score in the three-second zone.

Although in the game, through the tacit understanding formed by long-term cooperation with teammates, Qin Yue has demonstrated to a certain extent his ability to handle the ball when encountering help defense and double-teaming in the low post.
However, the huge gap between Connecticut and Wake Forest in role players has helped Connecticut expand its advantage on the field as the game progresses.

On the field, Connecticut's offensive round.

After receiving a breakthrough pass from Tariq Brown, who came on as a substitute for Anderson, Okafor easily hit the rebound at the basket.

At this moment, looking at Qin Yue, who had just had to expand to the outside to help his teammates complete the delay, Okafor did not sneer.

Because after the fight from the beginning to now, Okafor, who has verified Qin Yue's quality, feels that tonight's match is an unfair contest.

In the game, the pressure Qin Yue had to bear on both offense and defense was far greater than his.

but
After all, when has this world ever been fair?

If this world is really fair, then God shouldn't have the concept of luck.

Fortunately, tonight, in order to target Qin Yue, Kangda reduced its defense line small enough.

This also invisibly gave Paul room to fully display his abilities on the outside.

In Qin Yue's previous life, Paul always had a very stable hit rate in the long-range two-point statistics.

His career long-range two-point shooting percentage exceeds 45%, which is even more accurate than many mid-range shooting kings who make a living by shooting mid-range shots.

So, in the NCAA where the three-point line is shorter
What kind of answer did Paul, who can use three-pointers in the NCAA as long-range two-point shots in the NBA, give in his college career?

The answer is that in Paul's two years of college career, he achieved excellent three-point shooting percentages of 46.5% and 47.4% respectively.

Tonight, Chris Paul, who is very good at dribbling and shooting, officially started his shooting performance under the cover of Yu Qinyue when Wake Forest's situation became increasingly passive.

In three minutes and four Wake Forest offensive possessions, Paul shot 4-for-4 from beyond the three-point line.

At this time, on the bench of Wake Forest, assistant coach Victor asked with a puzzled look on his face: "Why do I always feel that Qin's strong attack on Connecticut's inside line after the opening tonight was intentional?"

Hearing this, Mr. Prosser smiled and said, "Don't doubt it. Often the better the hunter, the better he is at disguising himself as prey."

In fact, Qin Yue chose to compete with Connecticut's death triangle after the opening of this game, not just out of a fight of will.

It was to ensure that Connecticut's defense could be firmly contained near the three-second zone by him.

Qin Yue knew very well that compared to the star-studded Connecticut team, Wake Forest was undoubtedly the weaker side in the game.

In this case, if Wake Forest wants to win, it cannot focus on defense, but on offense.

In particular, we must fully utilize the characteristics of this Wake Forest team with many outside shooters.

Of course, with this kind of competition, Qin Yue’s paper data will definitely not look good.

But this is the only way Qin Yue can think of to win.

"Is the way Qin chose to play on the court tonight your request to him?" Victor asked curiously.

After shaking his head, Prosser said: "Actually, what I told him before the game was that he should play like Larry Bird in this game and try to attack from the outside.

In that way, he can take advantage of his certain shooting range to achieve good statistics.

At the same time, he was able to cleverly break through the trap that Connecticut had carefully set for him in the game."

After thinking about it in his mind, Victor said, "But Skip, you and I both know that Qin's current shooting is not stable."

After nodding, Prosser said: "So, based on his own judgment of the game and his own reading of the game, he chose a more difficult path, but the most beneficial to the team."

"The numbers don't reflect the help he gave the team on the court tonight," Victor said.

And Prosser shook his head and said, "But the data can improve his draft stock."

At this moment, Victor was speechless for a moment, then he sighed and said, "He has the same great character as Tim Duncan."

Great character?
But you know what, Victor, this is exactly what I'm worried about.

Prosser knew very well that although it was only a few years since Duncan graduated from college, with the development of the Internet, people in the future would only care about the players' on-court data rather than the on-court value that could not be reflected in the data.

Even those data contain water.

In Prosser's eyes, this era has become more and more utilitarian.

Therefore, even if he knew from the beginning which path Qin Yue chose would be more beneficial to the team, out of selfishness, he also hoped that Qin Yue would choose the easier path.

After all, even if Qin Yue chose the most correct path, facing Connecticut tonight, he could only increase Wake Forest's chances of defeating Connecticut.

As Qin Yue's mentor, Prosser is more clear-headed than anyone else.

Indeed, leading Wake Forest to defeat Connecticut will likely become a highlight of his future coaching career.
But compared with Qin Yue's future, what are the achievements of an old man like me?

On the Demon Deacons bench, after looking up at the remaining time in the first half, Prosser turned and called out Jamal Reavie and Ronnie Evans.

While holding the tactical board, Prosser said to Revie and Evans: "Jamal, I need you to move on both sides of the ribs. You have to use your running to open up space for our shooters.

Ronnie, I only have one request for you tonight."

After a pause, Prosser kicked Evans and said, "Shoot that damn three-pointer for me!"

In the first half, with about 9 minutes left, Wake Forest and Connecticut requested substitutions.

On the Wake Forest side, Revie replaced the beast Ellis.

Evans replaced Monk.

And here in Connecticut.
No matter how you look at it, they look like they are flexing their muscles.

On the field, the new force Boone replaced Armstrong.

Anderson came back on to replace Villanueva.

Williams replaced Brown.

Always have three or four future NBA players on the court.

Even though Paul had previously used four three-pointers to narrow the gap for Wake Forest, he was unable to shake Connecticut's absolute advantage in this game.

Because compared to Wake Forest, Paul had to rack his brains every time, and Qin Yue had to spare no effort to create scoring opportunities.
Connecticut's offense tonight was as easy as eating and drinking.

At the America West Arena, after the substitution, Connecticut has the ball.

Okafor dribbled the ball into the inside and assisted Boone to score two points despite the interference of Qin Yue.

Coming back, the Demon Deacons attacked, Qin Yue desperately grabbed the frontcourt rebound and passed the ball to Evans in time.

But the latter failed to make that damn three-pointer.

On the court, with a clang, the inside line guarded by Okafor and Boone did not give Qin Yue any chance to grab the frontcourt rebound.

At the same time, Gordon received the ball quickly and dribbled past Gray and hit an unreasonable three-pointer.

At the scene, at this moment, the supporters of the Demon Deacons all felt varying degrees of despair.

Because the score gap that Paul had finally narrowed was suddenly widened to double digits by Connecticut.

"Connecticut showed they were a champion tonight," said Mike Breen, who was in charge of commentating the game. At halftime, the score was 54-41.

Connecticut entered the second half with a 13-point lead.

In the first half of the game, Qin Yue scored 4 points with just one fast break and two free throws, plus 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 block.

Although only looking at the score, Qin Yue didn't seem to help the team much.

But if it weren't for his high-quality pick-and-roll in the first half of the game
There was no way Wake Forest could have scored 41 points against Connecticut's high-quality defense.

As the outside core of the Demon Deacons, Paul also gave his all in the game.

In the first half of the game, Paul made 9 of 5 shots.

Except for one mid-range shot attempt, the rest of his shots were the most efficient three-pointers. But even so, Paul, who scored 14 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists for the team in the first half, could hardly help the team turn the tide in the game.

During the halftime break, Qin Yue and Paul both felt an inexplicable sense of powerlessness welling up in their hearts.

The best freshman duo from the ACC has performed well enough so far this season, but in the face of the overwhelming strength of Kangda
It still takes time to improve their own quality, which is the most true portrayal of Qin Yue and Paul at this moment.

"In fact, when the matchup schedule was released, I had already guessed how difficult our journey to the three-game crazy game this year would be." In the locker room, Qin Yue said, turning his head to look at Paul who was sitting next to him.

"But no matter what, as long as the game is not over, we still have a chance.

Chris, please don't tell me you've given up."

At this moment, their eyes met.

After bumping fists with Qin Yue in tacit understanding, Paul said: "We have many shortcomings now, but we have never wasted even a minute in the past.

For many things, you have to work hard to avoid regrets.

Maybe our crazy three-game journey will end tonight, but that will only become our goal in the future, right? "

In the locker room, the originally dull eyes of the Demon Deacons players instantly regained their spirits as they watched the two core players adjust themselves through mutual encouragement.

Seeing this, Prosser said to his disciples: "That's it. No matter what the result is, do it first so that you don't regret it."

After the halftime break, the game continued.

Looking at the still resilient players of the Demon Deacons on the field, Huskies coach Jim Calhoun couldn't help but sigh: "What a formidable opponent."

In the second half of the game, in order to increase the team's offensive firepower to match Connecticut's offensive level, Prosser boldly used a three-guard lineup consisting of Paul, Gray, and Evans.

Now, the Devil's Deacons, who can only fight for their lives, have completely handed over their inside line to Qin Yue.

“Wake Forest has made a desperate move.

Next, they placed all their hopes of a comeback on Qin alone.

He has to shoulder the responsibility alone and face the successive attacks from Emeka, Hilton, Charlie, Josh and others in the game. "said Mike Breen, who was in charge of commentating the game.

Although human power is finite, this is an eternal truth.
But in the eyes of Qin Yue, who did not want to give up, even if there was an abyss of no return ahead, he would still try to see if he could jump over that cliff.

On the court, after Reeves cut to give Wake Forest the first two points, Connecticut's offensive round.

Okafor, who cooperated well with Gordon, got the opportunity to directly attack the basket of the Demon Deacons through the pick-and-roll.

Fortunately, Qin Yue, who mobilized every cell in his body, arrived to assist at the critical moment.

However, the next second, Okafor calmly passed the ball to Armstrong who came from behind.

Seeing this, Qin Yue turned around and pretended to block the shot, successfully intimidating the latter.

But, after Armstrong chose to throw the ball up
How should Qin Yue, who is already exhausted, deal with it?
Hey, wait!

In the Demon Deacons' penalty area, Okafor was unable to receive Armstrong's imaginative aerial relay pass.

Because after Qin Yue gained enough time, Jamal Reavi, the "Panama Spring" who was not good at frontal defense, had quietly reinforced the basket.

In terms of bullet speed, Okafor cannot compare with this skinny bamboo pole that weighs less than 85 kilograms.

Inside, Reavie successfully disrupted this Connecticut offense for the Demon Deacons.

And, just when the basketball was about to fly out of the baseline after being redirected by Levi.
Gray, who had returned to the game at the same time, immediately threw himself out of the court.

On the court, Gray successfully saved the ball at the baseline.

Paul successfully responded to Gray's desperate save.

It was not until this moment that Okafor and Armstrong realized that in that brief moment, all the Wake Forest players had retreated back to the basket.

Basketball has never been a one-person sport.

Not before.

Now it is not.

Nor will it be in the future.

"start running!"

On the court, with Paul's roar shaking the dome, how could Qin Yue, who had already taken the lead, miss this excellent opportunity to boost the team's morale?
At the America West Arena, the Wake Forest fans who had been suppressed for a whole half of the game all left their seats at the same time the next second.

Then, the Raptors from Wake Forest received a long pass from Paul, overpowered Charlie Villanueva, who had the fastest return to defense, and blew up the entire Phoenix city under the basket of Connecticut!

On the basketball court, there is no better way to boost team morale than dunking!

In competitive sports, failure is never scary.

The scary thing is that you don’t have the courage to continue fighting your opponent in the game.

At this moment, since Wake Forest is still fighting, why do you say they have lost the game?
On the field, it was Connecticut's turn to attack.

The long-suppressed American West Arena was just reignited by Qin Yue and became the best sixth man of Wake Forest.

Facing the boos coming from all directions.
The Kangda players, who were in urgent need of an offense to stabilize their position, chose to hand the ball to their core inside players without hesitation:

Emeka Okafor.

just
What no one expected was
In the following open low-post confrontation, Qin Yue, who saw through Okafor's offensive route, actually crushed the attack of the best player in the United States with a frontal block!

"I admit that you are strong.

And much better than I am now.

But not long ago, I played against a player who was stronger than you." Qin Yue said to Okafor, who looked stunned, under the basket.

Hearing this, Okafor, knowing that it was too late for him to return to defense, simply looked at Qin Yue and asked, "Who is that person?"

"Tim Duncan."

At this moment, Okafor was silent.

On the other side, in Connecticut's half, Evans hit the counterattack.
Wake Forest successfully played a small climax in the second half and narrowed the gap between them and Connecticut to 6 points.

In the next long period of time
Connecticut and Wake Forest fought back and forth over these 6 points.

On the sidelines, on the Huskies' bench, Jim Calhoun no longer had the calm and composed look he had in the first half.

"If he is given another year to grow, what kind of monster will he become?"

Looking at the only barrier of Wake Forest's inside line on the court, Kahn knew very well that Connecticut could no longer be described as lucky this year.

Because when it fully grows up
Kahn couldn't even imagine how dominant he could be in college basketball.

On the court, as time went on, the game came to the most breathtaking moment.

In order to reduce mistakes, Kahn did not always stubbornly use a three-high lineup in the game.

"There are three minutes left and we can advance to the next round."

At the last moment of the second half, after looking up at the scoreboard, Kahun felt like he was almost unable to breathe.

As we all know, the NCAA's offensive time per round is 30 seconds.

So common sense would not have made Kahn so nervous given that the team was leading by 6 points.

But in the dark
Kahun just feels that until the dust settles, he and his players must not be careless.

"There are only two minutes left now."

On the sidelines, after taking another look at the scoreboard, Kahun thought to himself.

And this time.
At the America West Arena, Connecticut still led by 6 points and had the ball.

……

PS: I am begging for collection, monthly tickets and recommendation tickets for my new book.

(End of this chapter)