After Kentucky caught up with the score, the situation gradually fell into their hands.
Zeng Xingyang's offensive efficiency on the court dropped after being tightly guarded by the opponent, and he missed two three-point shots afterward.
However, this didn't affect Kentucky's overall explosive performance.
Towns and Lyles continuously attacked the inside, which Harrell and Onuaku struggled to handle. Both ended up committing fouls repeatedly and fell into foul trouble, forcing them to rest on the bench.
Meanwhile, Zeng Xingyang continued to demonstrate his prowess on the defensive end. Besides defending against Rozier, he used his basketball IQ to assist the inside when necessary.
This made the University of Louisville's inside offense very challenging.
"Don't rush, pass the ball a few more times."
"Terry, you take over the offense."
The University of Louisville's coach looked worried on the sideline. He hadn't returned to his seat since Zeng Xingyang took to the court.
"Don't leave that Chinese guy open, double team Carl."
The information said this guy only shoots threes, right? His defense is supposed to be average. How come once he came on, he pinned down Rozier?
"This player's information is inaccurate."
The University of Louisville's coach really wanted to scold the assistant coach who collected this data.
...
With 1 minute and 11 seconds left in the first half.
Rozier had a one-on-one opportunity with Zeng Xingyang outside the right three-point line, and a teammate wanted to help delay Rozier, but Zeng Xingyang waved him off.
Seeing this, Rozier looked very displeased.
Damn it, this guy can't seriously think he can shut me down, can he?
Rozier didn't pass the ball again, facing Zeng Xingyang, he started dribbling.
Zeng Xingyang lowered his center of gravity and spread his arms wide, his eyes intently focused.
Rozier felt the defensive pressure brought by Zeng Xingyang.
Rozier also lowered his body, then unleashed his strong explosiveness, wanting to use this slight space to propel forward. He felt that once he charged, Zeng Xingyang wouldn't be able to stop him.
Zeng Xingyang kept his eyes on Rozier's dribbling. He wasn't entirely confident in stopping his explosive drive, but this time he noticed Rozier's foot direction and judged his breakthrough method, quickly sliding over, using his chest to impede Rozier.
Though Zeng Xingyang looked slightly thin, his core strength was solid and he didn't get pushed aside by Rozier. Rozier didn't expect such an explosive drive could be stopped by Zeng Xingyang, so he quickly switched hands behind his back to the left, trying to break through again.
However, after switching to the left, his explosive speed decreased, and Zeng Xingyang moved over again.
"Bang!"
Rozier collided with Zeng Xingyang. Zeng Xingyang's body was like an iron wall, and Rozier couldn't get through.
With not much time left on the shot clock, Rozier decided to pick up the ball and go for a forced layup.
Rozier made some extra steps, but the referee didn't call it. On the sideline, Calipari and the other Kentucky players frantically gestured to the referee that it was a travel.
Zeng Xingyang ignored how many steps Rozier took. He continued to contest Rozier, then when Rozier went for a forceful one-handed layup, Zeng Xingyang jumped at the same time, completely covering Rozier's shot.
Rozier's heart wavered a bit, and he deliberately released the ball at a higher angle, but it still couldn't evade Zeng Xingyang's big hand.
Rozier stood at 1.85 meters tall, while Zeng Xingyang was 2.01 meters. With both jumping simultaneously and considering the current defensive ability, Rozier had no chance.
"Stop dreaming."
"Pop!"
Zeng Xingyang swatted the ball away with a volleyball-style block.
Kentucky fans erupted in cheers again. Although they had watched Zeng Xingyang in four games before, this was the first time they saw him deliver such a spectacular, powerful block.
Landing, Zeng Xingyang roared fiercely.
He was venting his emotions, and the players on the bench were also shouting one after another.
Calipari wore a big smile on his face, as Zeng Xingyang's performance tonight gave him a new perspective.
This little guy is trustworthy on the defensive end.
The first half of the game quickly ended, with a score of 34 to 45.
Zeng Xingyang scored 13 points in the half, while Harrell had 16 points for Louisville.
In the halftime locker room, the mood among the University of Kentucky players was very excited.
The University of Louisville had once led by double digits in the first half, but now it was Kentucky leading by double digits.
Everyone gathered in groups, laughing and chatting.
"You've scored in double digits, you're the MVP of the first half," Towns said as he sat down next to Zeng Xingyang, "And your defense, I don't know how you've been training, but you completely shut Terry Rozier down."
Having known Zeng Xingyang for a long time, Towns' impression of Zeng Xingyang's defense was that it was somewhat weak, but tonight's performance completely changed his perception.
Comparing himself to Zeng Xingyang, Towns felt as if he had been standing still, while Zeng Xingyang had been continually progressing.
"Watch more tapes, practice footwork," Zeng Xingyang replied.
"Zeng, compared to you, my defense is terrible," Booker said helplessly.
Rozier blew him away, but then Zeng Xingyang came in and locked him down. Clearly, the problem was his defense!
"It means you haven't been practicing enough lately," Zeng Xingyang said with a smile.
"Forget it, I'd rather live well than train as hard as you," Booker replied with a bitter face.
Keeping up with Zeng Xingyang's training regime was something he could only manage occasionally, not consistently.
"Continue playing like the first half in the second half, keep the high-quality defense," Calipari instructed Zeng Xingyang during the tactical meeting.
Zeng Xingyang nodded, looking at Calipari, sensing his appreciation.
Indeed, with more obvious defensive improvements, more opportunities come.
"Alright, alright, let's kick their butts like we did in the first half,"
Amidst the cheers of the fans, the game resumed quickly.
Calipari made a personnel change, starting Zeng Xingyang in the second half.
Previously, at this time, Zeng Xingyang would still be sitting on the bench.
The University of Kentucky attacked first.
In front of Zeng Xingyang, the defender remained Rozier.
Rozier was determined to show Zeng Xingyang something on the defensive end, or else this guy might lower his draft position.
Just with this kind of positioning, it was indeed difficult for Zeng Xingyang to shake off Rozier.
Zeng Xingyang thought for a while, seeing Towns' position, quickly signaled to Towns, and then ran from the corner to the top of the arc.
Towns moved to the screen and effectively blocked Rozier.
Tyler Ulis saw the opportunity and decisively passed the ball over.
This was a classic play designed to create a screen and run around for a shooter.
Zeng Xingyang got the ball, faked a shot, and directly fooled the switching Harrell into jumping.
He then dribbled inside and took a mid-range jumper from a high position, shooting steadily.
"Swoosh!"
34 to 47
The basketball swished through the net.
Zeng Xingyang perfectly controlled the opponent's defensive rhythm with this shot; his offensive choice was precise.
"Jumping at anything, you need to go back and learn some defense with your elementary coach," Zeng Xingyang shouted back at Harrell.
He was being figuratively "slammed" by Zeng Xingyang.
Before the game, Harrell looked down on Zeng Xingyang, but now he's extremely frustrated.