Chapter 21: A Match That Can't Be Lost

  "Duke University's Jeff Capel, Trajan Langdon and Steve Wojciechowski formed a three-man outside shooting combination that gave Vlade Divac an early warning"

  "Trajan Langdon's three-pointers are really accurate, really accurate," Larry Bird asked uncertainly. "Was he such a player before?"

  "T.J. Stancil is the ACC's third-best three-point shooter, behind only Wallace Zebediah and little Barry, who are known as the ACC's Big Three shooters, although in previous games he was one level below Zebediah and one level above little Barry."

  "Ah, I see," Larry Bird nodded and continued: "Duke University was in great shape in this game, especially their three outside players. I think they all have very distinct characteristics. Jeff Capel's offense and defense were both good, very versatile. And Steve Wojciechowski's defense was simply suffocating. As a point guard, he actually went to defend Vince Carter, who is so much taller and heavier, yet he managed to limit him so effectively. It's astonishing. It reminds me of Payton's performance in the Supersonics. I have a feeling that this game will be another classic showdown. From what we've seen so far, Villanova has been completely suppressed on the outside."

  "I've live-broadcasted so many games, but this is the first time I've seen Villanova University's outside line being completely suppressed. Is this Coach K's secret trick? Using fast and small players to limit Carter's receiving and handling of the ball?"

  "No, it's not just about being fast. Look at Steve Wojciechowski's defensive anticipation and positioning. He can always stay in front of Carter and cut off the passing lane, and after Carter gets the ball, he can still stick to him tightly, making it difficult for Carter to even pass the ball. This is a defender with NBA-level skills. All three players have the ability to be starters or key players on an NBA team. Their other two inside players are also very good, although they may not be as good as Duncan. It's hard to imagine that this Duke team lost to Wake Forest three times and only ranked fourth in the ACC. Has the ACC really reached this level of strength?" Larry Bird looked puzzled and was shocked in his heart.

  "No, I'm not clear either. When I was live streaming Duke before, there wasn't such an obvious feeling. However, the fact that ACC league is strong is indeed a fact, which can better reflect the value of Villanova's all-win."

  Just five minutes into the game, Vicksburg was caught off guard by Duke University. Despite Coach Zhang's repeated emphasis on being cautious before the game, the players on the field still underestimated their opponents, after all, they were a team that had lost three times this season. It's only human nature. Coach Zhang didn't blame them for it either.

  However, the subsequent game of Duke University's suppression of Wake Forest's outside line made Zhuang Fei think of his duel with UConn. No, at this time, Duke University's outside line strength is definitely much higher than UConn. Jeff Capel, Tre Jones, and Steve Wojciechowski are Duke University's strongest three players. Tre Jones is the second-best shooter in the ACC, and his normal shooting ability should be around 75. After adding 10 points, he won't lose to Zengbiao. In other aspects such as ball control, passing, speed, and breakthroughs, he is also better than Zengbiao. This makes him think of Ray Allen, yes, it's UConn's Ray Allen, the two players' styles are very similar. Steve Wojciechowski is a well-known defensive expert in the ACC, previously unable to limit Carter, this game after adding 10 points his defensive attributes reached at least 80 or more, and his physical talent must be above 75. Such outside line defense is absolutely top-notch in NCAA. As for the weakest of the three, Jeff Capel, in Zhuang Fei's impression, he was a very ordinary player who could do everything but didn't do anything well. However, after adding 10 points to all attributes, this player became someone who can do everything and does it all well, his versatility is not inferior to James Posey, and even better.

  "Now, Laga Bell's role on the field is not great, he can't even defend against Trajan Langdon, should we replace him with James Posey to strengthen the team's control and share some pressure with Carter? Carter seems to be at a disadvantage against Steve Wojciechowski." Mark Allen suggested to Zhuang Fei with a worried face.

  Zhuang Fei nodded slowly, and indeed, Lagabell was the most embarrassing player so far. As a defensive sharpshooter, he went to defend against Langdon, but Langdon transformed into Ray Allen today, just like facing the real Ray Allen. In the face of this fake Ray Allen, Lagabell was tragic again. This time, Lagabell wasn't easily eliminated by a simple block like before. This fake Ray Allen simply overpowered him, which also made Zhuang Fei realize that in the game against Kangda, Ray Allen didn't play with all his might. Since Lagabell couldn't defend or receive passes, it's better to replace him with James Posey to strengthen ball possession and offense. James Posey has always been the first firepower point on the team's bench.

  On the other side, Duke University's Coach K was completely stunned by this abnormal situation on the court. What's going on? His players all seemed to have leveled up or something! Was that really team leader Trajan Langdon? Or had Ray Allen transformed into him? And wasn't that Steve Wojciechowski? The more he looked, the more they resembled Peyton, Jeff Capel, and that versatile one was just like a younger Grant Hill. Coach K couldn't understand how his team suddenly burst out with such incredible fighting power.

  The players of Duke University on the field were also unclear, but they felt that their condition was extremely good today, and things that could not be done before were easily done today, especially after suppressing Wake Forest in score, these Duke University players became even more crazy, with red eyes, as said in martial arts, it's a killing atmosphere, while Wake Forest looked too weak.

  Even the less-than-a-quarter-full Duke faithful in the stands were stunned, but they quickly regrouped and their cheers and chants immediately rose up, completely drowning out the still-stunned VCU fans.

  "Duke's got their momentum going and it's tough for Vicksburg," Larry Bird sighed.

  "Are you saying Vicksen Forest will lose? How is this possible?" the commentator asked uneasily.

  "It's not over yet, 5-5 open, as long as Deng Ke is still there, Vicksen Lin won't fall down. However, facing Duke University's current momentum, Vicksen Lin must hold on and can't be overwhelmed, or it will be difficult." Larry Bird continued: "Now Vicksen Lin needs to make adjustments, Lagabe has become a redundant player on the court, he should be substituted out."

  Larry Bird's voice had just fallen when Vicksen Forest made a substitution adjustment, James Posey replaced Raja Bell.

  Rajabell sat back on the bench with a dejected face, it was his first time to be humiliated like this after facing Kangda, being treated as if he was nothing.

  "Raja, this is not your fault, don't think too much," Zhuang Fei smiled as usual. He rarely used harsh words to motivate players when they were down, instead he liked to use kind words to encourage them. This was because of the many negative experiences he had in his previous team in Zhejiang. Young players and veteran players are absolutely different. If Stephon Green and Duncan performed poorly, he would scold them, because these two were already adults with mature minds. But for Raja Bell and other 18-year-old players like him, Zhuang Fei wouldn't scold them. They needed encouragement from others even more when they were feeling down.

  Lagabiel looked at Zhuang Fei with a grateful face, her nose slightly sour.

  "Zhuang, Duke University's momentum is getting stronger and stronger, this game is in danger!" Mark Allen said anxiously beside him.

  "Don't worry, it's okay, Viksen Forest won't be breached that easily," Zhuang Fei said with a smile to Mark Allen.

  The first quarter ended, and the Trail Blazers were behind for the first time this season after one quarter, 51-56. This was the score between the two teams, with the Trail Blazers trailing by five points. James Posey's appearance on the court did have some effect, but it didn't change the fact that their outside shots were being suppressed. Fortunately, Duncan was still able to hold down the fort.

  "What a thrilling game, the level of this match has already exceeded that of an ordinary NBA regular season game. Coach K's defensive strategy against Carter is worthy of praise. Now in the second half, I'm looking forward to seeing how that Chinese player will respond," Larry Bird said with a lingering tone.

  "Yes, it's really wonderful" The commentator echoed insincerely. This game is indeed exciting, but the one who is behind is Vicksen Lin. If Vicksen Lin is leading now, he will surely say that this is one of the greatest games in history.

  Vicksen Forest can't lose, for CBS, Vicksen Forest must keep winning to attract more fans who are eager to watch their games.