"The Refrigerator" (I)

9-0!

Cahoon immediately raised his hand and called a timeout.

Cheers rang out nonstop from the crowd. Less than three minutes into the game, Thompson had drilled three three-pointers and forced UConn to call timeout!

"Klay! Klay!"

As Thompson came off the court, he received a hero's welcome from the on-site fans.

Thompson was already used to it. After waving to the crowd, he returned to the bench to listen to the coach's tactical instructions.

"Tang, get ready to go in. Lock him down for me!" Cahoon was a little rattled now, his voice carrying obvious anger.

And saying that specifically to Tang Tian carried another meaning. After all, Tang Tian had strongly supported playing in this invitational tournament from the beginning.

"Understood." Tang Tian did not think too much about it, and he liked this moment to enter the game.

"Klay Thompson's three-point shooting is simply unstoppable. In recent years, I think only Stephen Curry from Davidson College could compare to him." This was a major game, and commentators had been invited to call it. The announcer was lavishly praising Thompson now.

"Yes, it's rare to see such a high-quality three-point shooter. And he is clearly more than just a catch-and-shoot player. He reads the defense and creates opportunities for himself." The guest commentator repeatedly agreed.

"Beep!"

A long whistle sounded from the sideline.

After the timeout, UConn made a Substitution Adjustment. Tang Tian came in for Smith at small forward.

He weighed around 100 kilograms. He had played center in previous Scrimmages because the team needed him to, but under normal circumstances, he was a Power Forward/Small Forward swingman.

"He's finally here, the rookie who has been making waves lately." The announcer looked somewhat expectant after seeing UConn's substitution.

"Yes, Tang Tian, the miraculous kid from China. UConn made this substitution much earlier than usual." The guest commentator said after glancing at the clock.

"The situation on the court is extremely unfavorable for them. They want Tang to cool Thompson off a little." The announcer said with a smile.

"Do you think he can do it?" he asked naturally.

"I think it'll be difficult." The guest commentator hesitated before answering.

"Why?"

"First of all, I watched several of Connecticut's previous games. Tang has done very well at defending drives, but he has never faced a player like Thompson, someone who loves Off-ball Movement. So those previous games do not offer much reference."

The announcer nodded after hearing that. The analysis was indeed correct.

"Second, didn't Bena say in an interview that they had made specific defensive preparations for Tang? That is also something to look forward to."

"Finally, Tang has yet to score in any of his previous games, which shows that his offensive ability is genuinely poor. Connecticut has not scored since the opening tip, and Cahoon sending him in now is actually quite risky."

The guest commentator's analysis was spot-on. Not only did the announcer nod repeatedly, even the fans listening behind them could not stop themselves from agreeing.

"Old man, if we put Tang in now, our offense is finished." Ollie spoke up at this point. He had been too embarrassed to question Cahoon directly when the substitution was made, but once Tang Tian had gone in, he could no longer hold it back.

Just as the guest commentator had said, they had not scored since the start. If they were playing four-on-five now, then even if they could stop Thompson, it would not help!

Not to mention that they might not even be able to stop him!

"I have my reasons." Cahoon did not explain much this time.

When he had seen Tang Tian staying behind to practice at the Training Facility, Tang Tian had said that he was only shooting well because of his touch. Yet Cahoon had an instinctive feeling that Tang Tian might have been hiding his true ability, waiting for an opportunity.

Of course, that was only his own feeling. After all, if Tang Tian could shoot three-pointers but deliberately hid it, that did not make much logical sense. That was also why he did not say more to Ollie.

But ever since Tang Tian entered the game, Cahoon's eyes had remained fixed on him. He was looking forward to Tang Tian bringing some surprises.

UConn inbounded from the backcourt, and Walker brought the ball up.

Washington State University was still playing a 2-3 zone defense.

UConn's consecutive missed three-pointers allowed them to defend even more aggressively without restraint.

Walker continued attacking off O'Riaqi's pick and roll.

But this time, he drove with determination, squeezing through the defense and forcing in a Layup Made at the rim.

UConn finally got on the board.

"UConn is running out of options. If they keep playing like this, Walker's physical exertion will be enormous. He cannot keep it up for the entire game," the announcer said.

"If they don't play this way, do they have any other options?" the guest commentator asked in return.

The announcer thought about it and shook his head. UConn had no three-point shot now, while Washington State University had packed the defense inside. Other than relying on Walker's individual ability, there was indeed no other method that could produce immediate results.

Thump, thump!

"Let's go, Cougars!"

Led by the arena DJ, the crowd began cheering for the home team.

The guard brought the ball into the frontcourt. Washington State University ran the same play again, with Thompson using a teammate's pick and roll to cut in from the right wing.

Tang Tian had only just started to trail him when the screen came directly at him.

This was not an ordinary screen. The player setting it stepped fully into him, with no intention of rolling to the basket at all. They were directly trying to force a switch!

The camera lens shifted to Bena sitting on the bench, a smile on his face.

This was what he had prepared for Tang Tian.

Your On-Ball Defense might be strong, Tang Tian, but against consecutive off-ball screens, getting through one would be hard enough, let alone a second. Once you switched onto someone else, you would naturally no longer pose a threat to Thompson.

But his smile froze almost immediately, because Tang Tian seemed to have anticipated it. He fought for position early and squeezed right through the screen.

"So fast, and... what an accurate read!" Even the announcer could not help crying out.

Against such a high-quality screen, getting through it directly was extremely difficult without anticipation.

But Tang Tian did it! After fighting through the screen, he was still tightly chasing Thompson.

Washington State University set a second screen. This time, it was their center setting it, with a wider body and a larger screening area.

But before the screen could form, Tang Tian accelerated early again and beat it to the spot!

He was still with Thompson!

Bena was stunned.

Was this guy a loach or something?!

After two straight screens failed to create any separation, Thompson felt the pressure as well.

By then, he had curled out from beneath the basket and reached the three-point line.

His teammate delivered the pass immediately.

Thompson caught the ball, saw Tang Tian closing out, and tried the same move again, using a shot fake.

But Tang Tian did not bite at all!

He slowed down immediately and pressed close, not even giving Thompson a chance to get his shot off!

The crowd stirred.

Tang Tian's defense was unbelievably solid!