Solving Worries and Resolving Difficulties

Chapter 26: Solving Problems (23!)

The fans at the scene were stunned.

Brooks' offense was beautiful, but Tang Tian's defense was even more so.

A huge block, it was so impressive it made them all tear up!

After the block, Tang Tian coldly glanced at Brooks.

He wasn't incapable of responding to taunts, he was just waiting for the right moment, and now was the perfect time!

Seeing Tang Tian's reaction, the cheers from the crowd instantly erupted.

Tang Tian was truly tough!

This block ignited the atmosphere, and the cheers for defense were overwhelming.

Providence College inbounded the ball, but UConn's defense intensified, preventing the point guard from even getting the ball to Brooks.

In the end, Providence College was called for a 35-second shot clock violation!

They had failed to score on their last four possessions!

Tang Tian lived up to expectations, just as he had shut down Thompson before, he shut down Brooks, and UConn completely seized control of the game.

At halftime, they completely dominated their opponents, leading 46 to 31.

Under Tang Tian's defense, Shabazz Napier lost his touch, shooting 5-of-15 in the first half for only 11 points, and that included the four shots he made at the beginning of the game before Tang Tian came on.

Looking at the entire first half, Tang Tian's defense was actually top three in the NCAA, on par with Butler and Leonard. However, Providence College's struggles were largely due to Brooks.

Brooks was nicknamed "Little Kobe" and played like Kobe, but his shot selection was even worse than Kobe's.

During the 15-minute halftime break, both teams returned to their locker rooms to rest.

"Shabazz, stay confident. His stamina will falter in the second half. You can find your rhythm again like last time, understand?" In Providence College's locker room, the head coach encouraged Brooks.

Brooks nodded. He had played poorly in the first half, but the coach hadn't blamed him, and he needed to prove himself with a better performance.

"Tang will start at small forward in the second half." In UConn's locker room, Cahoon made adjustments to the starting lineup for the second half right from the beginning.

Tang Tian nodded upon hearing this, feeling quite good.

He had been with the team for over four months, and he had finally broken into the starting lineup.

After the 15-minute break, the starting players from both teams gradually took the court.

When Tang Tian was seen entering the game as a starter, a roar of cheers erupted from the crowd.

Brooks had made four consecutive shots at the start of the first half, forcing UConn to call a timeout. Now, with Tang Tian starting, he wouldn't have that opportunity again.

Providence College had the ball first in the second half.

Brooks posted up Tang Tian at the top of the key. After receiving the ball, he turned, but didn't immediately attack.

Providence College ran a high pick-and-roll. Brooks drove right, used the screen, and pulled up for a mid-range jumper over Orland.

"Swish!"

Brooks' two-pointer was good.

Providence College's bench erupted in cheers. Brooks, who had been scoreless for most of the half, had finally gotten back on track.

"Watch for the double team, don't give him space to shoot," Cahoon said from the bench, reminding his players.

Providence College had made adjustments at halftime.

In the first half, Brooks tried to take Tang Tian one-on-one with very low efficiency. Now, they admitted that Brooks couldn't beat Tang Tian in isolation and were switching to mismatches.

It was a simple adjustment, but it was effective. After all, UConn's only defensive strength was Tang Tian.

On UConn's offense, Walker responded with a pull-up jumper after using a screen from Tang Tian.

His scoring ability was not much worse than Brooks'.

On Providence College's offense, they ran the same play. Tang Tian navigated the first screen, but another screen immediately came. The moment the screen was set, Brooks shot directly.

"Bang!"

Although the shot missed, the tactical intention was clear.

A stir went through the crowd.

Although it was only two possessions, Providence College seemed to have found a solution. If they continued to play like this, the outcome of the game was still uncertain.

Cahoon rested his chin in his hand, deep in thought.

This was still the regular season. If they reached the tournament, as their opponents' strength increased, such targeted strategies would become more frequent.

To go further in the tournament, this team still had a long way to go.

On UConn's offense, Lamb missed an open three-pointer. Providence College secured the defensive rebound and immediately pushed for a fast break.

Tang Tian stayed close to Brooks. Seeing no good opportunity, Brooks didn't rush his attack. Noticing his teammates were catching up, he waited for a screen before preparing to dribble and attack.

However, this time he suddenly found himself with no space to start his dribble.

Tang Tian was playing tight, man-to-man defense!

Brooks found it difficult to get free from the tight defense, only gaining space to dribble after turning his back.

But as soon as he started dribbling, Tang Tian switched to an even tighter man-to-man defense, constantly trying to steal the ball from his hands.

Under the intense pressure, Brooks' dribbling became shaky.

Seeing this, a Providence College player moved to the three-point line to set a screen. However, Tang Tian was pressing too closely, leaving no space for the screen.

Brooks dribbled for seven or eight seconds, but still couldn't shake Tang Tian.

The two were like glue!

Finally, with no other option, he forced a drive inside the three-point line and pulled up for a shot. Under Tang Tian's interference, it was a complete airball.

A cheer erupted from the crowd.

The change, it seemed, had happened in an instant!

Cahoon was stunned at this moment.

The problem he had been worrying about just moments ago seemed to have been solved?

Tang Tian had solved it himself?

But on second thought, it really did seem to be solved.

Providence College had used a pick-and-roll to create a mismatch for Brooks, reducing the defensive pressure on his shot. In Cahoon's subconscious, to break this play, they needed to increase their switching speed, not give Brooks an easy shot, and then find an opportunity to switch Tang Tian back.

But there was actually a simpler way: if the opponent wants to switch, just don't let them!

However, this was theoretically very difficult to succeed. The team initiating the pick-and-roll had the initiative, and you couldn't avoid it no matter what. Just like Tang Tian before, he could dodge one, but not the second or third.

But now Tang Tian's approach had changed. He stuck to his man so closely that he didn't give him any space for a screen!

Without space, how could there be a pick-and-roll? You couldn't just squeeze between two people!

This was the most brute-force method of breaking the play, but only Tang Tian could do it. Most players couldn't defend that tightly and still not be shaken off by Brooks!

After understanding this, Cahoon couldn't help but smile.

This Tang Tian really did solve his problems for him automatically.