The Ability to Foresee the Future

NCAA games were divided into two halves, with a 15-minute halftime break.

After the first half ended, both teams returned to their respective locker rooms to regroup.

Cahoon also reviewed the team's first half performance in the locker room and pointed out what they needed to watch for in the second half.

"Our first half performance was very good. Keep up this level of defensive intensity—their players are clearly uncomfortable with it."

"But this is their home court. They definitely won't give up easily, so we need to stay focused in the second half."

"Kemba, if you get opportunities on the perimeter in the second half, you can look to pass."

As he spoke, Cahoon suddenly addressed Walker specifically.

Tang Tian's defensive performance after entering the game in the first half had already satisfied him, but he still had expectations for Tang Tian's play from beyond the arc.

However, those expectations were only his own, so he did not make them too obvious. And given Tang Tian's current standing on the team, he could not possibly design plays specifically for him.

Walker wiped away his sweat and nodded. He had scored a lot in the first half, but the physical exertion had been considerable as well.

There were still more than five minutes before the second half began. Cahoon let the players rest a little longer before he and Ollie went out first.

Only after both coaches had left did Tang Tian stand and walk over to sit beside Walker.

"Kemba, you were in such good form in the first half that when they come back out, they'll definitely double-team you like crazy. Even if they don't, they'll at least have Klay play On-Ball Defense against you. Remember to kick the ball out more," Tang Tian said to Walker.

He did not speak loudly, but Lamb and Napier, who were nearby, both heard him.

They looked at Tang Tian in confusion, not understanding why he was repeating something Cahoon had already said.

"I understand," Walker said, nodding seriously to their surprise.

The others did not feel much about it, but for Walker himself, hearing the two men say it felt completely different.

Cahoon had merely told him to pass more when opportunities arose, but Tang Tian had laid out the opponent's possible tactical adjustments and told him to guard against them in advance.

It was the same principle as when Ollie had yelled at O'Riaqi. Tang Tian's coaching ability in his previous life had been greater than Cahoon's and Ollie's, so he naturally knew how to make players understand and accept things as quickly as possible.

"And Alex, stop coming up high to set screens. Let Orland handle that. You have an advantage in height inside, so if we miss, crash the Offensive Rebounds more," Tang Tian said to O'Riaqi.

O'Riaqi nodded directly. Tang Tian's few pointers during the game against Marquette University had benefited him greatly even now.

Lamb and Napier stared at Tang Tian in shock.

Walker was close with Tang Tian, and Tang Tian had only offered a few reminders, so they could understand why Walker accepted them.

But O'Riaqi was a second-year player too! Tang Tian had spoken almost entirely in a coach's tone just now, yet O'Riaqi was not surprised at all. He had even nodded without the slightest hesitation?

"What? Is there something on my face?" Tang Tian asked, reaching up to touch his face when he saw their expressions.

"No." Lamb and Napier gave awkward smiles, then both turned away one after the other.

After the half-time break, both teams sent their starters back onto the court. On UConn's side, Tang Tian was still not in the starting lineup.

Washington State University had possession to start the second half. Thompson was still moving without the ball, while Smith worked hard to keep up with him, with his teammates actively providing help defense.

But just as all of UConn's attention was focused on Thompson, the guard suddenly passed the ball inside. With O'Riaqi drawn out by the screen, their center scored directly in the paint.

The home team struck first upon returning for the second half.

The deficit was cut to 11 points.

Tang Tian turned his head and glanced toward the opposing bench. This coach named Bena had talked big before the game, but he was pretty capable.

Although Thompson had been defended into a poor shooting touch by Tang Tian in the first half, no one dared underestimate him. Bena was using that fact to attract defense and create scoring opportunities for the other players. Once UConn shifted its attention to defending the other options, Thompson could also run free for a direct shot.

This was an adjustment built upon their first half approach, turning the offense from a single focal point into an entire system.

UConn's offense began with Walker handling the ball.

Just as Tang Tian had said, Washington State University had also adjusted on the defensive end. They sent Thompson directly to guard Walker.

Matchups between aces were not common in basketball, especially in the NCAA. An ace carried the team's scoring burden, and if he also had to defend the opposing ace, he would definitely struggle to keep up physically.

Lamb and Napier turned to look at Tang Tian again, the shock in their eyes growing even stronger.

Tang Tian had called the opponent's adjustment exactly!

Walker repeatedly used Change of direction drives against Thompson. He was faster than Thompson.

But his repeated drives failed to create any easy scoring opportunities.

Thompson's defense was unexpectedly good.

Bena revealed a smug smile at that moment.

Most people only saw Thompson's performance on the offensive end, while overlooking his deterrence on the defensive end.

If he truly focused all his attention on defense, Thompson's defense was not much worse than that Tang Tian on the other side!

Walker's final layup was knocked off line by Thompson's contest, and Thompson grabbed the rebound as well.

A burst of cheers erupted from the crowd.

That sequence of offense and defense after the break gave the home team hope of winning again.

Washington State University attacked with the same play. This time, their guard suddenly drove into the paint with the ball and finished a layup.

The deficit was cut to 9 points.

Cahoon stood and walked to the sideline, reminding his players to pay attention to defending the other players.

His reaction was not too slow.

UConn attacked, and Walker continued to be guarded by Thompson.

Since it was not a double-team, Walker wanted to pass, but his teammates had no openings either. This time, he chose a Stop and Pop Jumper after a Change of direction drive.

However, Thompson was 2.01 meters tall, and his leap still provided enough of a contest.

Bang!

Walker missed two straight attempts after returning for the second half.

But at that moment, O'Riaqi overpowered Washington State University's big men beneath the basket to grab an offensive rebound, then passed it to Walker.

That Second Chance Points opportunity caught Thompson off guard, and he had no time to recover on defense.

Walker made a close-range floater.

The lead was pushed back to 11 points.

Bena's smug expression froze. That offensive rebound was clearly beyond his expectations.

Meanwhile, on UConn's bench, Lamb and Napier looked at Tang Tian as if they had seen a ghost.

After all, Tang Tian had also told O'Riaqi to crash the Offensive Rebounds during the halftime break.

Did Tang Tian have the ability to foresee the future?!