The Effects of Conditioning Training

Ollie's rule was to keep running until they could run no more, so both of them were still pushing on.

By the twelfth set, Walker truly could not hold on any longer. He stood there, gritting his teeth and gasping for air.

Tang Tian stopped after completing the thirteenth set as well. Though he was also breathing heavily, he looked to be in slightly better shape than Walker.

Cahoon nodded in satisfaction when he saw that.

There was no need to say anything about Walker—his conditioning had always been the best on the team.

Tang Tian's improvement, on the other hand, was somewhat beyond his expectations.

Defense was especially taxing on the body. In particular, Tang Tian had to guard the opposing team's star player almost every night, so his physical exertion was naturally even greater.

Tang Tian's improved conditioning was nothing but good news for UConn.

"Not bad, Tang." Once Walker had recovered, he could not help reaching out to pat Tang Tian on the shoulder.

Tang Tian smiled.

Improvement was an ongoing process. Ever since he had transmigrated, he had followed the scientific conditioning methods from his previous life. Combined with the nutritious meals Cahoon had secured for him, his efforts over the past half year had finally begun to show results.

Though he was still some distance away from his target, Tony Allen, he had at least met his expectations.

"Our first opponent after Christmas is Providence College. They're currently second in the Big East Conference. It'll be a very difficult game, but I hope every one of you can bring one hundred percent and win it," Cahoon told the players after practice.

For ordinary people, major holidays like this were days of celebration, but for teams, they were rather sensitive periods.

Take the NBA All-Star Game, for example. It was only a weekend, yet many teams looked like completely different squads before and after it.

In other words, holidays like these could easily become a dividing line in a team's performance.

UConn had been in excellent form with a seven-game winning streak before Christmas, but no one could guarantee that they would not turn it into a losing streak afterward.

Especially when they had to face a strong rival as soon as they returned from Christmas break.

After Cahoon finished speaking, he pulled out the tactics board and began explaining the tactical approach for the next game.

Providence College was not a traditional powerhouse. Their sudden rise this season had mainly relied on a run-and-gun style, as well as their Core Player, Shabazz Napier, who was known as "Little Kobe."

Napier had a diverse range of offensive methods. He was averaging 26.6 points per game so far that season, and he had exploded for 52 points against the University of Notre Dame, tying the school record. He was considered a player with a chance to contend for the John Wooden Award.

Among all the guards in the Big East Conference, only Walker could match him.

But strictly speaking, as a true Shooting Guard, Napier's Personal Score ability was even stronger than Walker's.

The two teams had faced each other once early in the season. Tang Tian had been unable to contain him then, and Napier had erupted for 39 points to help Providence College win the game.

That game had happened right before UConn began its seven-game winning streak.

If they lost now that they were facing each other again, it would mean ending UConn's seven-game winning streak once more.

"Providence College plays at a very fast pace. What we need to do is slow down their offense. Tang, Napier is yours. You absolutely cannot let him get hot. He has strong scoring ability, but his offensive decision-making is average. As long as we contain him, half of Providence College's offense is crippled."

"Understood." Tang Tian nodded.

The main reason he had failed to stop Napier before was that he could not keep up physically in the Second Half. Now that his conditioning had improved, his confidence naturally rose as well.

After two days of training, UConn hosted the Providence College Friars at home.

It was a holiday, so there were only more fans at the arena, not fewer. The team's seven-game winning streak before Christmas had allowed them to see hope of restoring their former glory, and their support for the team was stronger than ever.

Since Christmas had only just passed, some fans were still wearing their Christmas outfits, adding a festive atmosphere to the game.

Before the game began, the players from both teams carried out their final pregame warm-ups on the court.

Providence College's Shabazz Napier was particularly eye-catching.

He had a lean build. At 1.96 meters and 91 kilograms, he had the standard physique of a Shooting Guard.

During the pregame warm-up, several of Napier's pull-up jumpers looked remarkably like Kobe's, drawing plenty of glances from the crowd.

Halfway through warm-ups, Napier sat down by the sideline.

A reporter at the scene seized the opportunity and went over to interview him.

"Hey, Shabazz, how are you feeling today?"

Napier was not bothered by the reporter's arrival. He smiled and stood up.

"Very good," Napier said.

"We all know the last time these two teams met was at Providence College. This time, you're playing on the road. Are you confident you can perform as well as you did in the last game?" the reporter asked.

"Of course. As long as I get into rhythm, it's the same wherever I play." Napier looked relaxed.

"Another 39 points?" the reporter asked with a smile.

"Yes, or even more. I know Connecticut is in great form right now. If we want to beat them, I have to do that." Napier nodded.

"Looks like you're full of confidence."

"Of course. I've always been this way—I play with confidence." Napier was very self-assured.

"Yes, play with confidence, like Kobe."

Napier burst into laughter when he heard that.

"We all know you now have the nickname 'Little Kobe.' What do you think of that nickname?" the reporter pressed.

"I like it. Kobe is a great player. He has immense talent and works incredibly hard. He's my idol, and I'm honored to be compared to him." At the mention of Kobe, Brooks's words were still full of respect.

"But you'll still be facing Tang Tian," the reporter said with a smile.

Brooks smiled as well, but unlike when he had spoken of Kobe, this was a dismissive smile.

"Will that trouble you? We all know Tang Tian has shut down many players, even players on Klay Thompson's level," the reporter pressed.

"But he didn't shut me down, did he?" Brooks retorted.

"Yes, yes." The reporter nodded with a smile.

"He couldn't stop me last time, and it'll be the same this time." Brooks truly lived up to the name "Little Kobe." When speaking of his opponent, his confidence overflowed from every word.

"Then, good luck." The reporter finally reached out and shook Brooks's hand.

Brooks nodded. After the reporter left, he turned to look toward the adjacent half court—but he wasn't looking at Tang Tian. He was looking at Walker.

That was the player he wanted as an opponent.