On the court, Group B's offense comes again.
This time, Zeng Xingyang did not go directly to position, but stood outside the left corner three-point line.
Booker holds the ball on the right side, facing Lyles' defense.
Lyles is at a disadvantage in his footwork against Booker, who doesn't even need a pick-and-roll and accelerates directly past him.
Booker's penetration causes Group A's defense to collapse.
Towns comes out again, setting a screen without the ball for Zeng Xingyang.
Zeng Xingyang runs from the corner to the left 45-degree angle.
This positioning timing is very precise, just at the distance where Koulistan can't switch defense.
Booker feeds the ball to Zeng Xingyang once more.
He has a tiny bit of open space.
Zeng Xingyang catches the pass from Booker and is ready to shoot, catching the ball in stride and going up for a jump shot.
The basketball traces a beautiful arc.
"Swish!"
The basketball goes through the hoop, causing a "splash".
47 to 41.
Zeng Xingyang had an immediate impact after coming onto the court.
In the first half, Booker created many open shots, but his teammates couldn't capitalize, while Zeng Xingyang did, his shooting being more reliable than others'.
The seamless rhythm from positioning, catching the ball, shooting, to scoring.
"Well done."
"Keep shooting like that."
Booker, who provided two consecutive assists to Zeng Xingyang, joins in for a high-five to celebrate.
The assists are pouring in beautifully.
Calipari, too, claps in celebration. At this moment, he has even greater expectations for Zeng Xingyang and is prepared to bring him into the rotation; players who can hit open threes are vital for spacing.
In terms of both positioning and shooting stability under high-pressure defense, Zeng Xingyang has the potential to become a top-notch shooter.
"Not bad, that's two."
"Group B's offensive space widened instantly."
"Zeng's defensive pull is clearly enhanced."
"If they don't intensify the defense on Zeng, Group A will continue to pay the price."
"This Aaron Harrison isn't doing much—can't attack, can't defend."
"Indeed, Zeng's functionality is better, more suited for the team."
The assistant coaches are also discussing and noting the performances of the players on the court.
On the court, Zeng Xingyang's consecutive three-point shots have made Group A's players a bit anxious.
Group A on offense, the point guard dribbles past half-court, and Aaron Harrison still wants to go one-on-one.
Lyles directly shouts at Aaron Harrison: "Defend your man! If you can't, don't try to go one-on-one."
This weakling needs to recognize his place; such poor defense and still wants to handle the ball one-on-one, Lyles is furious.
The hard-earned advantage was squandered by this fool.
Aaron Harrison couldn't respond to Lyles; the reality is Zeng Xingyang already disrupted him, and then followed up by sinking two threes in his face.
In his matchup with Zeng Xingyang, he was dominated.
The Group A point guard passes the ball to Lyles.
After Zeng Xingyang's consecutive solo successes, the Group B players are also pumped up, and their defensive intensity has risen.
Lyles and Koulistan's pick-and-roll.
Booker gets screened, Lyles dribbles sideways, then decisively passes the ball to Koulistan.
Koulistan faces a mismatch with Booker, directly backs him down, turns around, and jumps up to float one.
Towns is in front, so Koulistan doesn't go to the basket; he chooses what he thinks is a safe option.
Only for Zeng Xingyang from the left to come over and interfere, making Koulistan's hand jitter.
"Clang!"
The ball doesn't fall, the basketball bounces high off the rim.
A chaotic battle for the ball ensues inside, with Towns eventually tipping the ball and then leaping again to snag the rebound with one hand.
Towns' physical gifts make him a unique presence among NCAA big men.
With a height of 2.11 meters, a wingspan of 2.24 meters, and decent bounce, he possesses the aura of a future NBA star.
Group B comes on offense.
Zeng Xingyang is feeling it, so naturally, the tactic continues to revolve around him.
Not just Towns but also the other two are setting screens for Zeng Xingyang.
Booker is also making a point to feed Zeng Xingyang the ball.
Zeng Xingyang receives the ball at the top of the arc from beyond the three-point line; Harrison's defense is in place, so he has no shot opportunity.
Zeng Xingyang has no intention to play iso-ball; he quickly passes to Towns on the left side of the free-throw line, then runs to the left corner for position.
Zeng Xingyang's movement draws most of Group A's defensive attention, leaving Towns unpressured.
Dakari Johnson is heavily guarding Towns' shot, prompting Towns to bend right and accelerate past him in one step.
Once Towns gets past Dakari Johnson, wide open space lies ahead.
Towns grips the ball single-handedly and ascends for a one-handed power dunk.
"Clang!!"
47 to 43.
Towns used Zeng Xingyang's effect to complete the play, grinning widely at Zeng Xingyang like a big boy.
Zeng Xingyang smiles back at Towns, nodding in approval.
Playing with intelligent talents is indeed easy.
Group A's offense results in another mistake, as Lyles tries to dish to Dakari Johnson, but the ball slips through, resulting in a turnover out of bounds.
Upon Group B's entry into the forward court, Zeng Xingyang's initial positioning doesn't yield an opportunity; after receiving the ball, with a difficult shot, he passes it back to Booker.
Group B's players are patient, waiting again for Zeng Xingyang to position.
This time, Zeng Xingyang reaches the right 30-degree spot, has a tiny opening to shoot, but Koulistan snakes around Towns' screen in pursuit.
No chance again, Zeng Xingyang passes to Towns, Towns fakes with the ball, one step in doesn't produce a great opportunity, after drawing the defense he sends it back to Zeng Xingyang.
At this point, Zeng Xingyang is standing a step behind the left 45-degree three-point line with Harrison closely defending.
Everyone's curious how Zeng Xingyang will handle this.
Zeng Xingyang forces shoulder contact with Harrison.
"Thud!"
Harrison is knocked aside; not a significant act but hardly an offensive foul.
Using this window, Zeng Xingyang relies on his core strength for a pull-up three!!
"You won't make this one!"
Post-being unhinged, Harrison still dives in.
Zeng Xingyang adjusts to increase his shot arc, it's mildly contested, but he gets the shot off smoothly.
"Bang!"
"Beep beep!!"
"Swish!"
After Zeng Xingyang shoots, he's also been fouled over.
The referee's whistle sounds timely, yet the ball swishes right in!
The referee harshly chops three fingers down, indicating the three is good, plus a free throw!
47 to 46.
"OMG!!"
"So strong, his three-point shooting is shooter-level."
"His physical challenge ability is robust."
"Hey, his strength surpasses our expectations."
"How did this guy get so strong? He used to be so weak."
The onlookers were almost universally taken aback by Zeng Xingyang.
This shot wasn't about running to open space, it was sheer personal strength forcing through.
And it went in despite strong interference.
Towns and Booker quickly assist the fallen Zeng Xingyang up.
Towns slaps Zeng Xingyang heavily on the butt, then exclaims, "F*ck, Zeng, that shot was insane."
The opponent's defense was solid, but Zeng Xingyang purely relied on personal skill to make it.
"Zeng, well done, keep kicking their butts like that." Booker gets excited too.
Zeng Xingyang nods to them, then looks to Calipari.
Calipari gives Zeng Xingyang a thumbs-up too.
At this moment, Zeng Xingyang knows he's likely secured a spot in the rotation.
Then, Zeng Xingyang steps to the free-throw line.
Deep breath, adjusts the pace, sinks the free throw steadily.
47 to 47, the score is tied.
Group B went on a 12-0 run, with Zeng Xingyang contributing 10 of those points.