Arrows Like Rain

Monroe wasn't strictly a paint protector; he wasn't a player with absolute defensive dominance like Mourning or Mutombo.

His defense was strong mostly due to his long reach and excellent help defense.

Take the block on Walker, for example. Walker was blocked by Monroe only after shooting while contesting with an opponent.

His ability to help defend guards and his talent advantage over O'Riaqi were the reasons he became an Inside Beast.

However, if Georgetown University truly let Monroe guard the paint alone, Walker wouldn't fear him in a one-on-one matchup.

Walker had played over two years in the NCAA, experiencing countless small-ball, big-ball matchups and accumulating vast experience.

After Tang Tian finished speaking, Walker chuckled. As the team's core, he naturally wanted to get back at Monroe for blocking him. After listening to Tang Tian's analysis, he actually looked forward to Georgetown doing just that in the second half.

The 15-minute halftime break passed quickly, and both teams' players returned to the court.

"This first half has truly exceeded our expectations. Georgetown held an absolute advantage at the start, but UConn completely turned the momentum around after a timeout adjustment. I'm really looking forward to Georgetown's halftime adjustments now," the commentator said excitedly before the game started.

Commentators are essentially professional fans; their emotions are also stirred by the excitement of the game.

"I think Monroe will definitely make more of a response. Although his performance in the first half had highlights, it wasn't his full capability," the commentator continued.

Just then, the camera panned to Monroe. His serious face was filled with a killer instinct.

The unfavorable situation his team was in during the first half was clearly not what he wanted to see. The winner of this game would directly become the second-ranked team in the league, and he wouldn't give up easily.

A long whistle sounded from the sidelines, and the second half of the game began.

UConn had possession first.

As Tang Tian and Walker had predicted, Georgetown University made significant adjustments to their defense.

Monroe guarded the basket alone, while the other four players spread out beyond the paint.

This was to prevent UConn from using their three-point shooting strategy from the first half.

Seeing this, Walker's heart soared. If he could, he would have loved to grab Tang Tian's face and give him a big smooch right then and there.

It was a divine prediction!

He signaled his teammates to spread out, called for a pick and roll with O'Riaqi, and then drove directly to the basket with the ball.

It was a chance for a one-on-one against Monroe in the paint.

Monroe set his stance, but Walker faked him out with a sudden change of direction and acceleration, then went up for a reverse layup.

Monroe reached out to block, but Walker's move was a complete fake. He directly pulled up to dodge the block and scored a reverse layup.

"Bang!"

Monroe's block hit the backboard, and Walker's reverse layup also bounced off the backboard before falling into the net.

At the start of the second half, Walker scored first with a solo play.

After scoring, Walker let out a roar and raised his hands.

This time, he had completely returned the favor for Monroe's block in the first half!

Monroe's expression was grim.

On Georgetown University's offense, Monroe no longer played the role of a facilitator at the free-throw line. He directly shouldered O'Riaqi and drove inside, then finished with a spin move and a dunk at the basket.

O'Riaqi tried his best to stop him but couldn't, and even fouled.

The crowd erupted; this guy was a true beast!

Monroe had a chance for a three-point play.

"Bang!"

Unfortunately, he missed the free throw, and O'Riaqi secured the defensive rebound.

Walker brought the ball up the court.

At this moment, Georgetown University's head coach was shouting from the sidelines; their defensive formation had changed again.

A 3-2 zone defense. This was a compromise strategy, designed to defend against UConn's three-pointers and Walker's drives.

Tang Tian set up a pick and roll, Walker drove with the ball, then pulled up for a jump shot at the high post.

"Swish!"

He made the shot!

His shooting touch had been ice-cold at the start, but he had found his rhythm in the latter part of the half. The 3-2 zone defense wasn't strong enough in the mid-range, giving him an easy scoring opportunity.

Georgetown University's head coach rubbed his face.

The same lineup, but UConn was clearly much stronger compared to their previous matchup. Their eight-game winning streak had indeed been hard-earned.

On UConn's side, Walker scored repeatedly, and Monroe didn't back down. He turned and attacked O'Riaqi, finishing with a spin hook shot at the basket.

"Bang!"

The ball hit the backboard and bounced into the net, continuing to help Georgetown University keep the score close.

The point difference fluctuated around 8 points, and both teams entered a stalemate.

"Stomp stomp!"

"Go! Connecticut!"

The crowd, spurred on by the DJ, began cheering for the home team again.

The two commentators stared intently at the court. In this tense situation, it all depended on who could break the deadlock first.

On UConn's offense, Walker continued to drive with the ball. This time, the weak-side players' help defense was quick.

Walker was double-teamed as he drove to the high post.

Georgetown University was starting to limit Walker's scoring, but they completely failed to notice that Tang Tian had already used Smith's pick and roll to get to the corner.

Walker, with his wealth of experience, knew instantly that there would be an open shot the moment he saw the double team. When he spotted Tang Tian, he flicked the ball over.

Tang Tian had an open look when he received the pass, and he shot with great decisiveness.

The ball arced high through the air, falling directly towards the basket under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

"Swish!"

Another clean swish!

The fans' whistles and cheers erupted instantly.

The sound of that three-pointer going in was incredibly satisfying!

After making the shot, Tang Tian also made a three-point gesture with his hand, drawing even louder cheers from the crowd.

Georgetown University's strength was Monroe. He didn't have to chase the opponent's star player all over the court like in previous games, which greatly reduced his physical exertion on defense.

With his remaining energy channeled into offense, his open three-pointers were almost always successful.

The deficit widened to 11 points.

On Georgetown University's offense, Monroe, after drawing the defense's attention, showed off his playmaking ability with a bounce pass to a cutting teammate, who easily laid the ball in.

It was a signature Princeton offense play.

The deficit was back to single digits.

UConn turned the ball back over to Walker. Georgetown University was forced to help defend, and Walker passed the ball out to Lamb on the perimeter.

Lamb faked a shot to get his defender off balance, drove to the mid-range to draw a double-team from the opposing power forward, and then flicked a pass to Tang Tian in the corner.

Different tactics, same spot, same opportunity.

The ball traced almost the same arc after Tang Tian received it.

Even before the ball went in this time, the excitement on the fans' faces was already bursting forth.

The trajectory of that shot looked perfect!

"Swish!"

The ball went through the net, accompanied by an incredibly pleasant swishing sound.

It was Tang Tian's fourth three-point attempt of the game, and he made it!

He was raining down threes.