Unstoppable

The on-site fans' eyes were full of anticipation.

Swish!

Another crisp sound answered their expectations.

Tang Tian's second Open Three-Pointer went up—and went in!

The gap was down to just 2 points!

The arena erupted in cheers.

Back-to-back three-pointers felt absolutely incredible!

Only then did Georgetown University react, their Head Coach immediately raising a hand and called a timeout.

Tang Tian received thunderous cheers from the crowd as he headed to the bench.

"Tang! Tang!" Some fans were even shouting his name from the sidelines.

Tang Tian felt a long-lost surge of passion.

Originally, as a coach who had transmigrated here, he had only chosen the path of playing basketball because of the system and the opportunity this body had as a ball boy.

But this atmosphere, this feeling, made it hard for him not to become immersed in it.

He realized that he liked this feeling—not just as a coach, but as a player.

"Good job. When they come back from the timeout, they'll definitely set up their defense around Tang. Jeremy, run to the other side. If you get an opportunity, shoot without hesitation. Don't worry about missing. Alex, crash the boards more too." Cahoon displayed the ability of a seasoned coach, anticipating the opponent's tactics and making adjustments in advance.

Tang Tian said nothing. Cahoon's arrangements were already quite thorough.

"Alex, if Monroe drives, I'll rotate over and foul him. It's one-and-one free throws now, so we have the advantage. If he posts you up in the Low Post, use Denial Defense. You have the height advantage, and their guards definitely won't dare lob it inside easily." As they took the court, Tang Tian pulled O'Riaqi aside and reminded him. Although there was an absolute gap between the two centers in terms of ability, Monroe could still be limited as much as possible through certain strategies.

O'Riaqi nodded repeatedly. He now trusted Tang Tian completely.

After the timeout, Georgetown University went on offense. Monroe backed O'Riaqi down in the Low Post and called for the ball. With the opposing perimeter players having hit consecutive three-pointers, he urgently wanted to keep his team scoring.

But at that moment, O'Riaqi suddenly changed his defensive approach and went straight into Denial Defense.

O'Riaqi had a shorter wingspan, was weaker physically, and was even slower than him, but he was taller. With that fronting defense, Monroe really had trouble receiving the ball.

Georgetown University's guard hesitated with the ball raised overhead.

Monroe immediately ran toward the basket and pointed upward.

The guard flicked the ball toward the area above the rim, clearly attempting an alley-oop.

But the intention was far too obvious.

Tang Tian rotated over from the weak side, pressing against Monroe and preventing him from jumping.

Monroe shoved Tang Tian away, but he jumped too late, and the ball sailed straight out of bounds.

A Georgetown University offensive turnover!

The arena erupted with whistles and cheers.

"Incredible. It's like Connecticut suddenly found a way to deal with Monroe," the commentator exclaimed when he saw the scene.

"Tang plays so intelligently. I now think Cahoon's decision to start him at Power Forward was simply unbelievably wise!" the color commentator praised.

"Let's go, Connecticut!"

UConn was gaining momentum. Without any need for the DJ to lead them, the on-site fans had already begun shouting in unison for the home team.

UConn changed its tactics again. This time, Tang Tian began an Off-ball Run along the baseline toward the basket.

Tang Tian was playing Power Forward, so naturally he was guarded by the opposing Power Forward. After that stretch of movement left his defender unable to keep up, Georgetown fell into a chaotic series of switches, until Monroe ended up guarding him.

Tang Tian ran out beyond the three-point line, and Monroe followed him there.

An opportunity!

Walker saw it and drove inside with the ball. After drawing a double-team, he kicked it to Lamb. Lamb accelerated to the basket, rose up, and finished with a Two-handed slam dunk score!

17-17!

UConn had put together an 8-0 Run, completely erasing the deficit!

The fans had gone crazy, and the cheers crashed down like a tidal wave.

Georgetown University's Head Coach anxiously shouted from the sidelines, but it had no effect at all.

On Georgetown University's possession, Monroe facilitated from the free-throw line and passed to a teammate on the perimeter. His teammate missed an Outside three-pointer, and it was another Long rebound off the front rim.

Monroe grabbed the Long rebound and attacked the basket, only for Tang Tian to wrap him up and foul him.

Monroe went to the free-throw line again.

He made the first free throw.

Under the one-and-one rule, he earned a second attempt.

His second free throw was slightly off and missed, with O'Riaqi securing the rebound.

"Fast break! Fast break!"

Tang Tian saw Monroe crash the boards after shooting and shouted at O'Riaqi.

O'Riaqi passed to Smith, Smith passed to Walker, and Walker used a Behind-the-back Dribble to get past his defender before going on a Full court drive to the frontcourt for a layup.

19-18, UConn had taken the lead!

"Old man, why do I feel like Tang sometimes looks like a coach when he's on the court?" Ollie said excitedly to Cahoon, unable to resist turning toward him after seeing that.

"Isn't that a good thing?" Cahoon replied with a smile.

Ollie froze for a moment, then nodded. Of course it was a good thing, but if that was the case, he, the assistant coach, seemed somewhat unnecessary!

"Winning is what matters. You're my successor, so you need to understand how to get along with the players," Cahoon said, sensing Ollie's thoughts.

"I understand." Ollie nodded. What had been wrong with him just now? He had actually felt as though a player was stealing his job.

The game continued on the court. Monroe forcefully backed down O'Riaqi from the free-throw line, then unleashed a brutal spinning dunk at the rim. O'Riaqi had wanted to foul him but could not even make contact.

The spectacular dunk drew a burst of cheers from Georgetown University's bench.

But on the other end, UConn once again executed a brilliant play.

Tang Tian's cutting and reverse run created an open opportunity. After Walker's passing motion fooled the defender away, he took the Perimeter shot himself.

Swish!

It went in too!

Cheers rose through the arena once more, and many fans excitedly threw up both hands, jumping to their feet as they shouted.

Once things started going right, everything went right!

The momentum had completely shifted to UConn. Even a dunk like Monroe's could not pull it back.

At halftime, UConn had erased an 8-point deficit and turned it into an 8-point lead over Georgetown University, 31-23!

That was a 16-point swing!

Tang Tian's suggestion during the timeout had produced immediate results.

"Connecticut! Connecticut!"

The players kept shouting as they headed through the tunnel toward the locker room.

"Tang, do you think Georgetown will make adjustments in the second half?" Walker was excited too, but compared to the other players, he had experienced more and remained relatively calm.

"Of course they will. Unless they're stupid, they'll definitely extend their defense. They might even have Monroe preside over the paint by himself," Tang Tian replied.

"Then what do we do?" Without realizing it, Walker had developed a sense of trust in Tang Tian.

"One-on-one, can't you beat Monroe?" Tang Tian said with a smile.