One Guard

"Shua!"

The sound of the friction between the basketball and the net made Yiyang close his eyes in enjoyment.

This is already the fifth set of shots he practiced today. The basketballs scattered all over the floor and the sweat-soaked jersey are a record of Yiyang's efforts.

Yiyang looked at the time, it was already 8:20. It seems that it is time to "release" his shooting coach back to the hotel and family video.

The expressionless No. 1 wiped the sweat off his face with a towel, greeted the shooting coach, and then walked to the locker room.

Due to his poor hand feeling, Hayward was called back by Stevens today to rest for a night and did not participate in extra training. Sometimes the feel is too bad, and the more you cast, the worse it will be. Proper rest may be effective instead.

Yiyang was sweating for Hayward in his heart. Although this white small forward has good athletic ability, his main scoring method is shooting. Besides, the head star of Syracuse University tomorrow is also a small forward. Make no mistake, tomorrow's game isn't just about winning, it's also a direct competition between Hayward and Wesley for the draft standings.

Hopefully Hayward will be fine tomorrow, if he hasn't recovered...  

Yiyang couldn't help clenching his fists. If Hayward couldn't stand up, he was very willing to stand up. Wesley Johnson? Yiyang doesn't care, he just hopes that the team can continue to win. They have already reached the sweet 16, how can they swallow the bitter fruit and leave?

The cold Chinese boy left the empty training ground with headphones on. Tomorrow, maybe it will be a big day...

※※※

In the past, NCAA games rarely attracted the attention of Chinese fans and reporters. But when Mu Ran came to the game site early today to wait for Yiyang, he found that several Chinese counterparts had already gathered here.

"Hey, Brother Mu is here too? Why, now "Basketball" magazine is also interested in the NCAA?" A short reporter smiled and waved to Mu Ran as a greeting.

"Aren't you here too? There are a lot of people who pay attention to that kid in China now. If I don't come, I will give you the news for nothing?" Mu Ran still has a high reputation in the circle, and he even gave many NBA stars Do one-on-one interviews. This is mainly because Mu Ran is not only a reporter, but also a reporter who really understands football.

"Hey, how far do you think our "Yellow Lightning" can go in the NCAA?" The short reporter elbowed Mu Ran. His predictions in articles in the past were often very accurate.

"I don't know, the outcome of the March Madness tournament is the most difficult to predict. The rules of a game determine the outcome, and anything can happen. Every year in March Madness, Americans like to bet on NCAA games at this time As a result, even the president of the United States can’t help but play it. The reason why it is so popular is because the uncertainty is too great, which makes guessing always full of fun. The NBA playoffs may not necessarily have this kind of enthusiasm.” Speaking In the meantime, Mu Ran had already set up the machine, and at this moment, two players came out from the player tunnel.

Immediately, the colleagues around Mu Ran became busy. One of the two people who came out was Hayward, and the other was Yiyang, who had attracted much attention from the Chinese media!

"Come out to warm up so early?" Mu Ran looked at his watch. It was still an hour and a half before the start of the game. I have to say that choosing to come early today is really a correct decision.

"Photographer! Let's go up and interview him. This is a rare opportunity!" The short reporter waved his hand and prepared to rush onto the field with the photographer.

When he was about to step onto the court, he was blocked by Mu Ran.

"Don't bother them now, listen to me. It's a big deal. I'll ask you to interview when the time is right." Mu Ran shook his head at the short man.

He knew that Yiyang and Hayward definitely didn't come out so early for an interview. Before the competition, it is better for the players to concentrate on training.

The short man was obviously not reconciled, but he didn't want to confront a well-known reporter like Mu Ran.

"Hey, it's okay. Remember, Brother Mu, I'll be the first to go later, don't grab anyone else!"

On the court, Hayward and Yiyang also saw some commotion off the court.

"It seems that your compatriots are very active and have arrived so early." Hayward said, smiling and waving at the reporters.

"Leave them alone Gordon, come on, let's start shooting." Yiyang passed the basketball into Hayward's arms. The white small forward felt that the basketball had never been so heavy.

Gradually, more and more players came to the basketball court. More and more fans also flooded into the stands excitedly. The basketball court, which was very quiet at the beginning, has been surrounded by the loud shouts of fans.

When the game was about to start for half an hour, there was a commotion in the stands. Hayward and Yiyang turned their heads to look, and it turned out that it was the number 4 of Syracuse who appeared!

Thin, this is Yiyang's first impression of Wesley Johnson. But take a closer look and you'll see that this guy is actually pretty solid!

After playing, Wesley didn't make any extra moves, but directly picked up the basketball on the ground and started shooting to warm up.

"Shua! Shua! Shua!..."

The sound of the Nets tumbling came from the other half, and Wesley Johnson almost hit a target during the warm-up. There is no doubt that this will virtually increase the pressure on Hayward.

Sure enough, Hayward, who was still normal just now, began to shoot and hit the iron. The more he strikes the iron, the more panicked Hayward becomes.

Stevens had to stop the shooting warm-up and took the players back to the locker room in advance for final deployment. He was afraid that if this continued, Hayward's heart would completely collapse.

Regardless of how much Stevens still has unresolved issues, regardless of whether Hayward has recovered, regardless of whether Yiyang is ready to implement a backup plan. The game still started as scheduled.

Wesley Johnson looked eager to try, and Gordon Hayward also had a determined expression. Yiyang has made all preparations, while Stevens is watching the field with folded arms.

The referee blew his whistle and threw the basketball high. There was a burst of cheers at the scene, the biggest challenge the Bulldogs have faced so far has arrived!

Syracuse University's starting center, Wright Philips, used his height advantage to win the ball for the team. The Bulldogs had to start on defense at the beginning of the game.

Yiyang stared closely at his opponent, an equally thin but extremely fast black guard, Willie Warren.

Willie Warren's performance at the beginning of this season was amazing. He not only possesses strong athletic ability, but also has very accurate shooting. He has scored excellent data of 20+10 in several games, and even once rose to fifth place in the mock draft list.

But this skinny kid's extremely poor physical resistance has become an obstacle that restricts him from going further. After an amazing start to the season, coaches from other teams found that as long as they increased their physical confrontation, the small guard seemed unable to play.

For the NBA, where physical confrontation is extremely fierce, this defect of Warren is undoubtedly fatal. Now, Warren's simulated pick can only be ranked at the end of the second round. But this does not mean that Yiyang can relax his vigilance against this kid.

Yiyang didn't put pressure early because he knew that Warren's speed was also not bad. He didn't want to be a stake, a background for the opponent to show off his speed. Yiyang just opened his arms, waiting for the opponent to approach the three-point line.

As soon as Warren's toes touched the three-point line, Yiyang changed his defensive strategy and used physical contact as much as possible to trouble Warren!

Yiyang's confrontation ability can already be regarded as one of his shortcomings, but Warren, who is thinner than Yiyang, still can't stand it.

After being entangled by Yiyang, Warren let alone break through, even dribbling became sloppy. If this continues, it's only a matter of time before the ball is lost!

"Ball!" Just when Warren was in trouble, Wesley Johnson had already used Wright Philips' off-ball pick-and-roll to get out.

Warren, who heard the yelling, barely passed the ball, but Wesley still managed to catch the ball. At this time, Wesley Johnson was one step away from the three-point line, but he didn't adjust, but directly took off and shot!

This guy knows that if he adjusts, Hayward can bypass the pick-and-roll and make up. For this fleeting opportunity, Wesley couldn't hesitate.

Hayward leaps hard, trying to interfere with Wesley Johnson's shot as much as possible. But Johnson was not nervous, and his shot was still fast and complete.

At the scene, half of the Syracuse University fans in orange short-sleeves stood up. They raised their arms high ahead of time, ready to celebrate the goal.

Hayward turned his head quickly, and the orange basketball was hollowed into the net against the background of loud cheers!

"Beautiful three-pointer! Wesley Johnson's shooting is still deadly! Today, Gordon encountered a tricky matchup!" Reggie Miller applauded, Johnson's 41.5% three-pointer shooting rate this season It really lives up to its name!

"It's okay, it's okay. Attack it, let's attack it!" Stevens danced on the sidelines, fearing that the enthusiasm of the players would be extinguished by the three-pointer just now.

"Now the biggest surprise of the Bulldogs this season is Yiyang in possession of the ball! His performance is the key to the Bulldogs' success. Let's see what the first round will bring us." Such a performance." Seeing Yiyang holding the ball, Reggie Miller was even more excited.

This Asian defender has done too many things that make people laugh from ear to ear. In today's Sweet 16 match, Yiyang will definitely not be soft-hearted!

Willie Warren opened his arms, but his poor wingspan could not pose a threat to Yiyang at all.

Yiyang made gestures outside the three-point line, directing his teammates to run. Willie Warren could only watch helplessly as the No. 1 of the Bulldogs took control of the ball calmly, because he knew that once he made the tackle, Yiyang would clean himself up.

In the first round of offense, the Bulldogs were still creating opportunities for Hayward. The running ability of this white small forward made it difficult for Wesley Johnson to deal with. Coupled with Matt Howard's tacit off-the-ball pick-and-roll, Hayward immediately ran out of a chance!

Yiyang pushed hard with both hands, and the basketball quickly passed through the crowd and hit the left side.

Hayward rushed to catch the ball and shoot it. It seems that this time the tactic was executed very successfully.

However, what greeted the Bulldogs players was not the joy of tying the score, but the crisp sound of the basket.

"Dang!" The basketball hit the front of the basket and bounced out. Wright Philips stuck in the position and firmly protected the backboard.

"Gordon Hayward, he didn't seize this opportunity." Reggie Miller was a little disappointed. Yiyang passed the ball very timely, and Hayward's previous running position was also wonderful. But the last blow was indeed a pity.

After that, Syracuse University did not push the speed, but continued to grind with the Bulldogs.

Willie Warren's interspersed movement made Yiyang have to press every step of the way, and Wright Philips' height advantage in the interior also prevented Matt Howard from being distracted. At this time, Wesley Johnson seemed like a fish in water.

After receiving the ball from his teammate, he feinted a shot and dodged a little shooting space.

After that, the skinny Syracuse 4 stepped back and shot a jumper. Before Hayward blocked, the shot was completed.

Yiyang immediately turned around and blocked Willie Warren. Although he is not the main point for rebounding, but blocking the matchup is the basic awareness of protecting rebounds.

Unfortunately, Wesley Johnson did not miss. The basketball went hollow again, and the Nets didn't even touch it much.

"Hey, this is not good news for the Bulldogs. It seems that Wesley is feeling hot today!"

After the goal, Wesley Johnson gave the fans in the stands a thumbs-up. This move made the Syracuse University fans in orange short-sleeves even more agitated.

And the Bulldogs fans in blue short-sleeves could only sit quietly, watching with envy.

For the second attack, Yiyang didn't keep it any longer, but used Willie Warren's weak point to force a breakthrough.

Everyone at Syracuse University will not underestimate Yiyang's ability. This guy entered the penalty area with the ball and has already posed a threat to their defense.

At the same time, Hayward got rid of Wesley Johnson with a beautiful back run, and he raised his hand for the ball. This time, it was a completely wide open!

Yiyang once again demonstrated his ability to pass the ball without looking at people. When this guy passed the ball behind the head in the crowd, the basketball accurately flew into Hayward's hands.

Hayward raised the basketball to shoot, and Wesley Johnson, who was thrown away, took off with all his strength to block the shot. Unexpectedly, Hayward was just a fake shot.

He calmly passed Wesley Johnson, who was jumping, and threw Wesley away. Hayward was like throwing away the only defender in front of him. The rest of Syracuse University was far away from Hayward at the moment, and they simply gave up defense.

Stevens was secretly delighted, it seems that Hayward has not lost his mind! This guy is starting to fight back!

Hayward took the shot calmly half a step behind the free throw line, and Yiyang even started to retreat and planned to take the initiative to high-five Hayward. However......

"Dang!" The familiar sound of hammering iron sounded again, Hayward, he didn't even grasp an open opportunity like a shooting practice!

The fist raised by Stevens suddenly lost strength. It seems that Hayward will not be able to "live" for a while today.

The 33-year-old marshal and Yiyang just looked at each other, I hope this guy is ready to execute the backup plan...