"This was a clash between two powerhouses. Based on the standings before the game, whoever won would rise to second place in the conference." The commentators began building up the atmosphere before tip-off.
"Yes, UConn had been in great form and was playing at home, so they definitely wanted to extend their winning streak. But Georgetown University's Monroe certainly wouldn't agree to that. He put up 30 points and 21 rebounds the last time these two teams met! I heard UConn's Tang would be the new starting Power Forward. That might not be the best choice in a game like this," the guest commentator said.
Monroe was a traditional center, standing 2.11 meters tall and weighing 114 kilograms. In the NCAA, he was an Inside Beast.
If UConn took Orland out and put Tang Tian in at this point, they would indeed be at an even greater disadvantage on the defensive end.
Tang Tian had previously defended Small Forwards or Shooting Guards well, but against a big center like this, he was definitely less effective than Orland.
"We don't know what Cahoon's tactical intentions are, but I'm still really looking forward to Tang's first start. He's brought us far too many surprises in the past."
While the two commentators spoke, the players from both teams finished their final pregame warmups, and the starters came onto the court one after another.
For UConn, Walker and Lamb were in the backcourt, with Smith and Tang Tian on the wings and O'Riaqi at center.
Georgetown University was led by Greg Monroe.
Amid the cheers of the on-site fans, O'Riaqi and Monroe met at center court for the Tip-off.
Monroe beat O'Riaqi to the ball and tipped it back into his half.
O'Riaqi was slightly taller than Monroe, but Monroe had a far better wingspan and quicker reactions, making that tip easy.
Georgetown's guard brought the ball into the frontcourt and immediately fed it to Monroe.
The Princeton Offense was a system developed by Pete Carril during his time at Princeton University. Its core idea was that both players and the ball kept moving, using the center's High Post Playmaking to create endless Cuts and Backdoor opportunities, finding the best shooting opportunity through ample freedom.
After Monroe got the ball, Georgetown University's wing players kept running Off-ball pick and rolls and Cuts and Backdoor plays.
However, Cahoon had clearly learned something from the previous loss. UConn set up in a 2-1-2 zone defense, and after each player held his assigned area, Georgetown University was not given any good offensive opportunity.
Seeing that his teammates had no opening, Monroe backed O'Riaqi down once and turned directly toward the basket.
O'Riaqi chased from behind, wanting to block Monroe the way he had blocked Lavoy Allen.
But Monroe's finishing ability was clearly far superior to Allen's. He threw down a violent one-handed slam.
Georgetown struck first.
On UConn's possession, Walker used Tang Tian's screen to Breakthrough Layup, squeezing past the defender for a Bank Shot Layup.
But he underestimated Monroe's help-defense speed. The instant the ball left his hand, Monroe's huge palm was already there.
Bang!
Monroe swatted Walker's shot straight out of bounds!
After the block, Monroe roared toward the sideline.
The crowd stirred.
That was Greg Monroe. He had improved step by step at Georgetown University, and now, as a junior, he was averaging 17.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2 blocks per game. He was already one of the NCAA's elite interior players.
UConn had the sideline inbound. Walker's pull-up floater after a drive missed, and Monroe boxed out O'Riaqi for the Defensive Rebound.
O'Riaqi's height allowed him to grab plenty of offensive rebounds in most games, but against Monroe, that advantage vanished completely.
After grabbing the rebound, Georgetown did not rush its offense. The guard slowly Dribble advanced the ball into the frontcourt.
Unlike other colleges that were speeding up their pace, Georgetown University had always stuck to a traditional style. Running the Princeton Offense, their slow offensive tempo was one of their defining traits.
It was still Monroe orchestrating from the high post.
UConn defended hard as well, and Monroe once again chose to spin into the lane for a forceful attack.
O'Riaqi was already doing his best, but he still could not keep up.
But at that moment, Tang Tian abandoned his own assignment and rotated over to help.
Bang!
His help defense was timely, but Monroe did not slow down and crashed directly into him.
The referee blew the whistle, signaling a Blocking Foul on Tang Tian.
Walker and Smith pulled Tang Tian up, and he could not help rubbing his chest.
That collision had really hurt. Monroe truly was an Inside Beast.
And it had even been a defensive foul.
I still need to find a way to earn some top-up points and exchange them for something like flopper. Otherwise, I'll just keep getting run over for nothing on these help rotations.
Since the team foul count for the half had not yet reached six, Georgetown University inbounded from the sideline.
With little Offensive Time remaining, Georgetown ran a series of off-ball screens, and Monroe ended up matched against Tang Tian.
After Georgetown got the ball to the perimeter, the guard prepared to lob it inside.
Because Monroe had excellent passing skills, UConn did not dare double-team him carelessly.
The crowd stirred again. Tang Tian had just been knocked flying by Monroe, and now he had to guard Monroe one-on-one. His first start was going rather miserably!
The guard spotted the timing and sent a Lob Pass inside, while Monroe got into position to receive it.
But at that moment, a figure suddenly burst out from beside him.
Tang Tian!
He was not foolish enough to wait for Monroe to back him down!
That earlier collision had already told him that they were not on the same level in physical confrontation. Waiting for Monroe to post him up would be asking to get crushed.
Monroe's strength and physicality were his advantages, but he was definitely not as fast as Tang Tian.
While Monroe was posting up, Tang Tian had already begun setting up for a partial front. The instant the guard released the ball, he burst out from the half-front position.
Monroe lost his base and could not generate force. He watched Tang Tian flash past him and fiercely intercept the guard's Lob Pass inside!
The restless noise in the arena instantly turned into cheers.
Ollie jumped to his feet in excitement as well.
That was the classic example of playing basketball with your brain!
After Tang Tian's steal, he passed to the nearest Lamb. Lamb then fed Walker, and Walker went Full court drive from the backcourt to the frontcourt, accelerating all the way for a fast-break layup.
In a Set Play, Monroe protected the paint like an iron barrel, but on a fast break like this, there was no way his speed could keep up!
UConn finally got on the board!
On Georgetown University's possession, Monroe continued his High Post Playmaking. This time, a teammate got a good three-point look, and Monroe flicked the ball out to him.
Bang!
Monroe was strong, but the rest of Georgetown was fairly limited. The Open Three-Pointer was obviously short, hitting the front rim and bouncing high into the air.
O'Riaqi reached up to grab the Defensive Rebound, but Monroe charged into the lane at that moment. Like a dark cloud blotting out the sky, he reached over O'Riaqi's head to tap the ball in for a putback.
The crowd gasped in amazement.
For a center, wingspan was the greatest talent. At that moment, Monroe's Talent Suppression was absolute.
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