Chapter 42: Evolution

At this time, the lineup of the University of Buddha on the field is naturally the "four young men" plus Humphrey's ace lineup, which is also their confidence to sweep the NCAA.

But the Bulldogs' roster has changed from the start.

Zhang Yu took Campbell and replaced Julian Beko.

Donovan was surprised for the second time after seeing Curry not resting in the second half.

He glanced at Zhang Yu in confusion, and found that the young man was sitting in his seat with a calm expression, not panicking at all when the score was overtaken.

How dare he withdraw an insider and put on a swingman?

Butler couldn't guard against Al and Jokin, so wouldn't the defense of the penalty area really become a piece of paper?

Donovan couldn't understand Zhang Yu's approach. In his basketball philosophy, the insider wins the world, and he would never set up a lineup like this.

After thinking for a while inexplicably, Donovan suddenly shook his head and laughed, wondering what he was doing, the opponent made a foolish move, so he should take advantage of the situation and pursue it.

He made a gesture to the court, and Tao Linglin, who was always paying attention to the coach's movements, saw it, ran to Horford's side, and whispered a few words in his ear.

In the next offensive of the University of Florida, Horford held the ball and easily overwhelmed Julian Beko, who was at the top of the power forward position, and scored with a low hook.

Donovan smiled slightly, since you showed your weakness, don't blame me for targeting it.

Basketball is essentially a sport of looking for open or misplaced positions. Zhang Yu actually took the initiative to put up a misplaced defense in front of the University of Buddha. Naturally, Donovan would not be polite.

At 50:49, after falling behind for a whole game, the University of Florida took the lead for the first time!

Looking back, the Bulldogs attacked, Curry played the pick-and-roll with the ball, Drew covered him, and Noah directly mentioned the position of the three-point line, not giving him space to shoot three-pointers.

Curry gave the ball to Drew, who was going down the line. The latter caught the ball and turned around to attack the frame, but Horford came up to help defend just right, stuck Drew's position, and let him neither advance nor retreat. It was extremely uncomfortable.

That's how Horford defends, being in the right place at the right time.

He doesn't have violent blocks or stealthy steals, but he can keep opponents out of the penalty area with his card position, nipping the threat to the basket in the bud.

Drew was not reckless, and without looking back, he distributed the ball to the weak side at a 45-degree angle, and then rushed to the basket, ready to grab a rebound.

Julian Beko waited outside the three-point line according to Zhang Yu's arrangement, received a pass from Drew, and shot directly.

brush!

Drew squeezed Horford to the basket, but had no chance to grab the rebound, and the ball went hollow into the net and fell into his hands.

Drew flicked the ball toward the baseline, ignoring Horford who reached out to get the ball, and quickly retreated to the backcourt, not giving Buddha a chance to make a quick break.

50:52, the score staggered up.

In the round transition, Horford still hit Julian Beko with a low back. This goal was not scored, but it caused a foul by Julian Beko. Horford made two extra free throws.

At 52:52, the two teams reached a tie for the first time since the start of the game.

The Bulldogs attacked, Curry broke through Brewer, went to the inside to attract the help defense, and gave the ball to AJ Graves who was emptied, and the latter shot the ball and hit the three-pointer!

52:55,.

In the subsequent games, Horford shouldered the offensive burden of the University of Florida. He continued to single Julian Beko in the low post, and he did not even encounter a flanking attack, with a high success rate.

As for the Bulldogs, Curry's shots decreased instead. After attracting the defense, he distributed more balls to his teammates. After most of the game, the other players of the Bulldogs also gradually regained their form and frequently hit the open space. shoot.

Under this kind of fighting, the scores rose staggeredly, and with the last 2 minutes left in the game, the two sides drew 69:69.

"Ronan, I didn't expect the small lineup to have a miraculous effect. Donovan is really obsessed with Horford's singles!" Stevens looked up at the score on the big screen and said in surprise.

Zhang Yu smiled faintly:

"Donovan forgot that Horford's greatest value lies in his versatility, support, shooting, defense, low post...he is a jack-of-all-trades player, not a low-post attacker.

"Although Julian is a small forward, he is only 3 centimeters shorter than him. Although it is difficult to defend him, it is not impossible. The old-school coaches are still too naive. When they see the misplaced lineup, they can't wait to jump up... ...height isn't everything!"

As soon as Zhang Yu finished speaking, Curry and Julian Beko made a cross screen on the baseline and ran to the corners on both sides. Horford and Tao Linglin hesitated and chose to switch defenses.

But it was too late, Curry raised the 45-degree angle from the bottom line again, with the help of Mike Green's cover, he completely threw away Horford, received a pass from Drew, and hit a three-pointer!

69: 72.

After the ball was scored, Curry panted heavily when he returned to defense, feeling his legs were as heavy as lead.

He hasn't rested for a minute since the game.

Although his teammates stepped forward in the second half and shared some of the pressure for him, that was just a drop in the bucket. He still needed his offense with the ball to create opportunities, and his teammates were only responsible for finishing.

Now, he felt that his physical fitness had reached a critical point. He was able to get rid of Horford's pursuit just now because his willpower was driving his legs.

What he didn't know was that Horford was tired too.

Horford didn't rest in the second half. He kept playing singles on the offensive end, and chased Julian Beko on the defensive end. He didn't even have a chance to paddle.

As an inside player, his physical energy consumption is already high, and now it is accelerated, and he is about to be exhausted.

Fortunately, Donovan called a timeout at the right time.

There are only 1 minute and 32 seconds until the end of the game, and the time for one attack is as long as 35 seconds. The University of Florida still has two opportunities to attack. Donovan dare not keep the timeout. If he doesn't use it now, it may be too late later.

"Al, can you hold on?" Donovan asked with concern.

"Huh... no problem, coach." Horford tried to smile.

Donovan patted him on the shoulder and picked up the tactical board:

"After a while, if the opponent still insists on single defense, give the ball to Al to handle, and the others will open up the space and be ready to respond... If the opponent shrinks the inside line, Al, you withdraw from the penalty area and deal with it in a high position The ball, Corey and Lee are ready to cut at any time, there is really no chance, you attack with the ball, understand?"

Everyone nodded in unison.

"Don't feel pressured, let's go!" Donovan encouraged his disciples.

The timeout is over, and the University of Florida players are ready to return to the field with high spirits.

"Di-"

The referee blew his whistle again.

"???" They looked at the referee suspiciously.

The referee came over:

"The opponent called a timeout."

"..." Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, wanting to say something, but found they couldn't.

"Fack!" Noah couldn't hold back, and cursed in a low voice.