The Refrigerator (Part 2)

Defense, two seemingly simple words, but when you truly delve into it, it's very complex.

Individual defense, help defense, chase defense, zone defense, and so on – there are too many techniques involved.

Individual Defense (Tony Allen)'s skill is strong in individual defense. Whether it's the system's explanation or the results from previous games, it all emphasizes this aspect.

The skill is this skill, but how much ability can be unleashed still depends on the user.

For example, Tony Allen has the top physique in the NBA. If he were in the NCAA, almost no one could score against him. However, Tang Tian can't do that; at most, he can limit most opponents.

But what makes Tang Tian stronger than Tony Allen is that he was a coach in his past life, a coach of the NBA godfather level. He is more familiar with player positioning and tactics on the court than anyone else.

So, in reality, defense also has an implicit element: reading, or judging.

For instance, judging your offensive habits, judging your choices, judging the intentions of the screener, like just now.

After watching from the sidelines for a while, Tang Tian actually understood Washington State University's playstyle better than Cahoon.

On defense, they stick to a 2-3 zone. On offense, it revolves around Thompson playing off-ball.

Therefore, all these screens are designed to create an open space for Thompson. Naturally, there's no such thing as "splitting the screen." When he goes through the screen, he doesn't need to consider anyone else. Just accelerate, squeeze through, regain position, squeeze through – it's that simple.

When the reading is accurate and the judgment is correct, the defense will naturally be effective.

Thompson is being pressured intensely. He has a high basketball IQ and top-tier off-ball skills, but his ability to create with the ball is limited. Facing this oppressive defense, he's at a loss.

Seeing that the 35-second offensive time is almost up, he can only force a shot.

But this shot is different from the previous contested step-back three-pointer. It's not a matter of difficulty, but a complete lack of angle.

"Beep!"

As the ball leaves his hands, the 35-second shot clock violation sounds. It's a complete airball.

The crowd erupts in a commotion.

Has Thompson's hot shooting touch been cooled down instantly?

UConn's bench erupts in cheers.

Finally, Thompson's three-pointers aren't going in anymore. If they kept going in, their morale would probably be shattered.

UConn's offense, taking advantage of Washington State University's momentary confusion, Walker drives through the double-team like lightning and scores with a quick layup off the glass.

4 to 9, UConn continues to close the score gap.

Bena stands up from the bench. The situation seems to have turned unfavorable for Washington State University since Tang Tian came onto the court.

Washington State University's offense, the same tactic. This time, his teammates set up three consecutive screens for Thompson, each one more determined than the last. But without exception, Tang Tian squeezes through or fights through all of them.

Just as Bena feels, Tang Tian is like a slippery loach that can't be caught!

Thompson runs to the top of the key to receive the ball, and Tang Tian's high-pressure defense immediately closes in.

He feels trapped in a cage, an indescribable sense of oppression.

He's not stupid. He's already tried shooting once and knows there's no chance. This time, he chooses to pass.

With his back to Tang Tian, he sees the approaching guard and passes the ball with a bent waist.

"Slap!"

But the moment he releases the pass, Tang Tian directly snatches the ball!

The Individual Defense package has a certain probability of stealing from the opponent. Thompson was pressured so much that he had no chance to shoot, and choosing to pass was completely within Tang Tian's expectations.

Tang Tian immediately passes the stolen ball to Walker, who is not far away. Walker speeds to the frontcourt and scores a layup while being defended by a chasing Washington State University player, drawing a foul.

2+1!

After scoring, Walker roars excitedly at the crowd.

Awesome!

This is the most satisfying play he's had since the start of the game.

Bena curses angrily at this moment. Fouling and giving up a 2+1 is the least cost-effective choice.

The player who fouled lowers his head under his scolding, but his anger hasn't subsided.

What truly angers him isn't the defensive choice. They've played hard to catch up this far; not fouling completely was due to Walker's individual skill. What truly angers him is the offense.

This damn Tang Tian is much better defensively than he imagined.

Thompson hit three consecutive three-pointers at the start, his hands were on fire, but Tang Tian forcefully suppressed him. And then he made a careless passing error!

Walker makes the free throw. After scoring 7 consecutive points, he has helped UConn narrow the score to 7-9.

"Stomp!"

"Go, Cougars!"

"Stomp!"

"Go, Cougars!"

The live DJ senses the momentum shift and directs the crowd to cheer for the home team.

The roar of over thirty thousand spectators is like a tidal wave, washing over them.

Washington State University's frontcourt offense, and Thompson's continuous pick-and-rolls, this time they used four picks in a row, with the power forward circling around and picking twice.

It took all their might to finally block Tang Tian.

Thompson ran to the top of the key to receive a pass from the point guard and shoot.

"Bang!"

Missed three-pointer.

After Tang Tian shut him down for two consecutive possessions, his shooting touch had completely gone cold.

O'Riaqi grabbed the defensive rebound, and UConn pushed for a fast break. This time, Lamb took the lead, receiving a pass from Walker and scoring a layup at the frontcourt.

9 all!

After being outscored by Washington State University in a 9-0 run, UConn called a timeout and responded with a 9-0 run of their own!

Bena signaled for a timeout.

If he didn't call a timeout now, the game might be over by halftime.

As Tang Tian walked off the court, he was met with heroic cheers from his teammates. UConn's surge in this period was largely due to his crucial defense on Thompson.

"Incredible, his performance exceeded my expectations. He's like a refrigerator, completely freezing Thompson's shooting touch," the guest commentator said with a smile, admitting he was wrong.

"If you say that, McHale might charge you royalties," the announcer joked.

It was clear that after Tang Tian defended Thompson, the two commentators' opinions of him had significantly changed.

After the timeout, Bena didn't adjust their strategy but instead used pick-and-rolls more frequently. Thompson's continuous off-ball movement consumed a lot of energy. Although he managed to break free from Tang Tian for some opportunities, his shooting percentage wasn't high.

On the other hand, Walker on UConn was playing better and better. Not only were his signature drives frequently successful, but his mid-range jump shots were also hitting consistently.

As a result, by halftime, he had already scored 20 points personally. This explosive performance helped UConn lead their opponents by a large margin of 43-30 at halftime.

Thompson, apart from the 3 three-pointers he made at the start, went 1-for-9 under Tang Tian's defense, his touch completely ice-cold.