Failed?

UConn's next opponent was Marquette University.

This was the second and final meeting between the two teams that season.

Unlike last time, this game would be played at Marquette University's home court.

Walker still traveled with the team. He no longer looked like he was limping, but a strain needed rest to heal. He was still nearly half a month away from returning.

Walker could not play, and UConn had just suffered a three-game losing streak. For Marquette University, this was a perfect chance for revenge.

The outcome of this game was also crucial to Marquette University. If they won, they would rise from eighth to seventh in the conference; if they lost, they would fall to ninth.

Before the game, the camera lens focused on team core Jimmy Butler. His expression was stern.

As one of the hardest-working players in the NCAA, like Walker, he was always thinking about how to lead his team to victory.

Marquette University had started the season well, but their performances had fluctuated afterward. They were still fighting for a spot in the championship tournament, and the pressure on his shoulders was immense.

Although Lavoy Allen had already left UConn, he had a good relationship with the team's backup center, Forsyth. Seeing him sitting on the sideline, Allen prepared to go over and greet him.

"What are you doing?" Butler called out to him before he had even taken two steps.

After stopping him, Butler walked straight toward him.

"I'm just going to say hello. Alexander is my friend," Allen explained.

"He isn't your friend. They're our opponents now—our enemies," Butler said.

Allen froze for a moment.

"Get back to practice." Butler grabbed Allen and pulled him back after saying that.

Butler was the team leader. Though Allen was somewhat unwilling, he could not show it.

The two teams finished their pregame warm-ups, and the starting players took the court one after another.

A massive cheer erupted from the crowd.

Although Marquette University's record had been inconsistent, they played hard in every game under Butler's leadership. A team like that held a high place in the fans' hearts.

The arena was packed for every game, and the fans showed their support for the team in the most fervent ways they could.

As Butler took the court, he patted his chest, pointed to the sky, and then took a deep breath.

On UConn's side, Walker sat on the sideline in a suit. Napier started in his place, while the other four starters remained unchanged.

"Old man, do you really think it'll be fine?" Ollie turned to Cahoon.

What had happened on the practice court a few days ago was still vivid in his memory. After that one-on-one session, Lamb had not said another word during the training session.

"We'll know soon enough." Cahoon looked relatively calm.

Ollie wanted to say something, but ultimately kept quiet.

To put it bluntly, Cahoon would retire that year, and Ollie would become the head coach next season. Once Walker left, Lamb would be his core player. If Tang Tian had shattered Lamb's mentality, Ollie truly did not know who he could complain to.

Tweet!

With the referee's whistle, O'Riaqi tipped the ball back into UConn's half, and the game officially began.

Napier brought the ball into the frontcourt. Tang Tian came up high for a screen, then popped out to the three-point line while Napier drove inside with the ball.

Thanks to Tang Tian's threat outside the three-point line, this had become one of UConn's standard plays. The difference was that the initiator had changed from Walker to Napier.

Napier was two levels below Walker in ability, but he was still quite quick off the dribble. Seeing that Marquette University did not double-team him, he accelerated past their power forward and charged toward the basket.

Allen came over for help defense. Napier leaned into him and went for a left-handed underhand layup.

Having been teammates before, Napier knew Allen's defensive habits. This move narrowly dodged the block.

Bang!

The ball hit the backboard after leaving his hand, then bounced into the net.

UConn scored first.

"What are you doing?! Block him! Have you forgotten what happened before?" Butler turned and roared at Allen. He was clearly dissatisfied with Allen's defense on that play. After all, the scorer had been Napier, not Walker.

Allen's expression turned serious after being shouted at.

On Marquette University's possession, Butler was guarded by Tang Tian. He did not force the issue. Seeing Allen open at the high post, he flicked the ball over.

After catching it, Allen backed into O'Riaqi, spun around, and hit a mid-range jump shot.

O'Riaqi was a little too slow to keep up.

Swish!

Allen's mid-range shot went in, giving Marquette University its first points.

Butler took the initiative to walk over, extending his hand and slapping Allen's palm hard.

"That's it! Beat them!"

His ability to fire people up was truly exceptional. Allen's entire state had been stirred up by him.

"It's fine. Just stay a little tighter next time," Tang Tian said to O'Riaqi on UConn's side.

O'Riaqi nodded.

Napier dribbled into the frontcourt. It was the same play, but this time Allen's help defense was right on target. With no opening, Napier dribbled the ball back outside the three-point line.

More than half of the 35-second offensive time had passed, and he signaled for his teammates to run a new play.

Tang Tian began using Smith's screen to run toward the corner three-pointer.

After Tang Tian had scored 21 points on seven shots against Georgetown, opponents had begun playing tight defense on his open three-pointer. At that moment, not only was the opposing forward glued to him, Butler had also positioned himself between Napier and Tang Tian, cutting off the passing lanes.

UConn's play had been countered, but after Tang Tian drew Marquette University's defensive attention away, Lamb had an opening at the other forty-five-degree angle.

Napier flicked a pass over.

Lamb got an excellent open three-pointer opportunity. He caught the ball without hesitation and shot immediately.

Bang!

The shot was a little too strong, striking the back of the rim and bouncing high into the air.

He still failed to make it.

"Did he fail?" Ollie's heart skipped a beat at the sight.

Just then, O'Riaqi used his height advantage to grab the offensive rebound over Allen's head.

A figure charged from the perimeter straight into the paint.

It was Lamb.

He had already rushed inside the moment his shot missed.

Seeing him, O'Riaqi flicked the ball over. Lamb caught it and went up against Allen's defense.

Allen threw himself into the block this time. His defensive effort was clearly much better than when he had defended Napier earlier.

His wingspan was outstanding, completely covering Lamb's shooting angle.

But Lamb displayed his talent then, twisting through the air with a little layup to dodge Allen before releasing the ball again.

Slap!

Allen's block attempt struck Lamb's hand. Unable to stop his momentum, he crashed directly into Lamb and knocked him to the floor.

The sideline referee blew the whistle, signaling a defensive foul on Allen.

Bang!

Lamb's shot hit the backboard, bounced once, then rolled into the net.

The ball was in.

It was a 2+1!