Chapter 23: The Flying Man

  In the second quarter, Lagabere was still assigned to defend Duke University's number one scorer, Langton, who had brought him great shame in the first quarter. After the start of the second quarter, with the help of his teammates, Langton did not have the same sharpness as in the first quarter, but in Lagabere's heart, this was still far from enough, and he still failed to defeat his opponent.

  "Although the coach said that the main purpose of defense is not to defend against opponents, but to limit them as much as possible. The coach said that defense only needs to do its best, and the result doesn't matter. However, in this game, I must defeat him no matter what." Lagabell's fighting spirit grew stronger.

  "What's going on? Rajon Rondo is being too aggressive, this way he'll be blown for a foul. Is this okay?" Mark Allen said with a worried face.

  He understands Zhuang Fei's tactical thinking, trying to push the flames to a high position, away from the forbidden zone. However, if the scramble is too fierce and foul, it will definitely increase. If the team encounters trouble with fouls at that time, then it's really troublesome.

  However, Zhuang Fei didn't show any expression and continued to gaze coldly at the scene. Seeing Zhuang Fei like this, Mark Allen could only shake his head in dismay, thinking he was too stubborn.

  "The defensive aggression of the Vicksburg team is too much, if the referee is stricter, Vicksburg will soon fall into foul trouble, especially Ragland," said Larry Bird on the TV commentary seat.

  Under the tactical guidance of Zhuang Fei, the eyes of the second quarter Visconsin players were all with flames, and everyone was desperately executing the high-position scramble set by Zhuang Fei. Especially with Duncan alone holding down the inside line so unyieldingly, it gave them great confidence, and Duncan was their last and most solid barrier.

  Facing such a state of Viksund forest, Coach K had to request for suspension twice in a row, obviously once was not enough and called again, but the effect was not good.

  After the game resumed, Vicksburg was still crazy with high-pressure defense. Although Duke University's three outside lines were not very adapted to this defense, they had super-high ability values, which made them look like wolves in sheep's clothing, but their efficiency was not bad either. Vicksburg managed to regain the lead, but the lead did not represent victory, and the score was still led by Duke University. However, the difference in scores remained between 3-5 points, and Vicksburg was still one breath away from winning.

  Carter increased his personal offense, and the effect was also good, but he still couldn't break through Steve Wojciechowski's defense. This made Carter look like he was playing very hot, but his efficiency was not high. Szebiak also followed Zhuang Fei's requirements to increase running positions, but unfortunately, LaGaber and James Posey consumed too much on the defensive end, and their offensive efficiency was greatly discounted.

  As a result, a very strange phenomenon has formed on the current scene.

  Vicksburg held the initiative but was unable to convert it into victory.

  "Duke University is really strong, and they are still resisting now. They know that as long as Wake Forest can catch up with the score, they will be finished. Now it's a matter of who has more endurance between Wake Forest and Duke University, who can last longer. This game is too wonderful!" Larry Bird looked at the scene in surprise, today these two teams gave him too many surprises. He didn't realize that the level of NCAA had reached such a height. For Wake Forest to remain undefeated in an NCAA league with such a high standard, they must have put in a lot of effort. Their performance is not inferior to that of the Bulls this year, and the Bulls rarely lose games in the NBA this year."

  Larry Bird subconsciously glanced at the substitute bench of Vicksburg, and the Chinese coach looked very calm, much calmer than K Coach of Duke University beside him. K Coach was now standing on the sidelines directing loudly. Coaching is really an interesting job, Larry Bird thought to himself.

  Duke University in Durham seemed shaky but also rock solid under the impact of the Vick scandal.

  At the 15-minute mark of the second quarter, with five minutes remaining in the game, Vicksburg tied the score for the first time since the opening tip-off on a Duncan putback.

  "Larry, Vicksburg is going to pull it off, they're definitely going to do it!" The CBS commentator's voice was shaking now, he had never seen an NCAA game this intense before. This game was thrilling and worrying for them, Vicksburg really couldn't afford to lose.

  "I don't know, everything is still unclear, need to see if Duke University can make this shot" Larry Bird's words had just fallen, Langdon made a sudden change of direction in front of him, shaking off Raja Bell, and with Carter just arriving, he stepped on the three-point line and made a dry pull-up shot, also hitting it, Duke University took the lead again by two points.

  As the ball went into Larry Bird, he couldn't help but sigh. Duke University still hasn't reached its strongest point, and this game against Wake Forest is still hard to say who will win. The spirit and soul of Duke University are still there, perhaps this will be the first defeat for this Chinese coach. Larry Bird looked at the substitute bench of Wake Forest again, that Chinese kid was still so calm.

  Zhuang Fei stood at the edge of the court, staring coldly at the players on the field. His heart was far from calm, and his composure was just a facade to show the Visconsin players that everything was under his control. But when the team tied the score and then fell behind again, he almost lost his voice in anger. His tense emotions were not much different from Coach K's.

  The game was getting closer to the end, and both Vicksburg and Duke University were still struggling. With 1 minute left in the game, Duncan scored again to tie it up, but Langdon quickly responded with a score of his own. With only 30 seconds remaining, James Posey hit a three-pointer to tie the game once more, bringing both teams back to even ground. However, Duke University had possession of the ball and was looking to control the clock for one final shot. The ball ended up in Langdon's hands. Langdon and LaGarde faced off again.

  "Raja, watch out!" Carter suddenly yelled at Bell.

  What? Raja Bell was stunned, only to see Langdon suddenly dash towards him, the ball flew backwards and brushed past his side into the basket. In the instant that Langdon passed Raja Bell, the ball returned to Langdon's hands again, this is a wall-to-wall cooperation in basketball.

  No way, it's dangerous. Lagabele didn't think twice and turned to pounce on Langdon, who was not far away. The two of them fell down at the same time.

  Foul, referee signals LaGarrett has committed a foul.

  "That's a flagrant foul," Duke University player said, dissatisfied with the referee's judgment. They thought it should be a flagrant foul, but the referee did not intend to change his decision.

  Even K coach on the sidelines wanted to rush onto the field to argue with the referee, but was pulled back by his assistant coach.

  "Foul, foul, with 5 seconds left in the game, this foul has to be a shooting foul, Vicksen is done", muttered the CBS commentator dejectedly.

  Larry Bird beside him also sighed, then shook his head. As a basketball commentator, being too biased is really not good and will cause countless jokes. In Larry Bird's view, the duel between the two sides has not ended yet, and Vicksen still has time.

  Langdon executed the free throw, and he let out a gentle sigh of relief. The previous block by Lagabere was quite ferocious, and his body still felt some residual pain. Fortunately, the first free throw went in steadily.

  However, when executing the second penalty, Langdon's hands were shaking slightly.

  "The rebound" The ball had just left Langdon's hand when Carter yelled, and he was standing at the top of the three-point arc, no one knew better than him where this ball was going. Vickers and Duke players rushed to the line at the same time, Bang! The second free throw hit the front edge of the basket.

  "Duncan jumped up, feeling someone push from behind, and the rebound ball that was about to be grabbed suddenly lost control of the ball due to leaning forward. This is when having only one inside player hurts the most, as people scramble for rebounds."

  The basketball flew from Duncan's fingertips to Langdon, who had just shot the free throw. Seeing this scene, all the players of Villanova and Duke University were stunned, even the fans on the sidelines, whether they supported Duke or Villanova, were silent.

  A strange scene appeared, and the stadium that was bustling with excitement just now became quiet as a bird.

  "It's all over," Larry Bird muttered unconsciously.

  "Run, Vince, run!"

  Carter, standing at the top of the three-point arc, suddenly heard a voice telling him to go fast. He subconsciously ran towards Duke University's half court like he used to do before. His quick attack and dunk were also among the best in NCAA. Carter flew out like an arrow.

  Ragabell was also stunned when he saw the ball flying into Langdon's hands, but he was also the first to react. Langdon was not far from him, but when Ragabell went to intercept Langdon's ball, Langdon immediately reacted.

  Crack, LaGerald slapped the ball heavily on Langdon's hand, the ball was knocked away, and LaGerald immediately picked up the ball and threw it to Duke University's half court with his greatest strength. This series of actions happened extremely quickly.

  The ball flew very high, and at this time everyone was freed from the stunned atmosphere and involuntarily focused their gaze on the basketball.

  The stadium was once again stiflingly heavy.

  As the basketball flew down towards the Duke University hoop, a player wearing an old gold jersey also took to the air.