Chapter 35 Competition

After the introduction of the Z University coaching staff, players from both sides greeted each other.

Meng Tang saw Wei Chuan and the others warming up. The whistle sounded and the referee made a gesture indicating three minutes left in the game.

After a while, a series of short whistles reminded the players to finish warming up and prepare for the game.

The players came on the field and high-fived the referee.

Meng Tang knew that a jump ball was about to begin. She had just seen in the video that both teams had centers fighting for the ball, with the largest being No. 11 Tian Yu.

As the basketball was thrown vertically into the air by the referee, the center of the Polytechnic University won the jump ball and the game officially began.

The opponent's point guard advanced to the frontcourt and Wei Chuan followed him.

Meng Tang didn't understand Wei Chuan's position. Just as she was about to ask Xie Lingyin, someone tapped her left shoulder.

Looking back, it was Qin Yuan.

"You're here too?"

Qin Yuan smiled and panted: "I almost didn't make it."

Meng Tang looked at Shi Lan and Yang Ke who were separated, and knew that they had made room for him.

There was a burst of cheers, the University of Science and Technology lost the ball, and Wei Chuan made the first three-pointer to take the lead.

Across from Xie Lingyin, Meng Tang heard Xu Heqing say, "Wei Chuan habitually starts the game with a three-pointer, forcing the opponent to expand their defense and control the rhythm."

The cheers from both sides collided with each other, and neither side gave in. The University of Science and Technology did not panic and quickly organized the ball control to score.

Meng Tang looked confused, and Qin Yuan came over and said, "Wei Chuan is a point guard, and an offensive one."

Meng Tang humbly asked: "What is a combo guard?"

Qin Yuan said: "Guards have shooting guards and point guards. The former is for scoring and finishing, while the latter is for controlling the ball and organizing the play. He has both and can also adjust according to the game situation and tactics. However, being a combo guard requires a lot of physical strength. If his ability is insufficient, he will become an awkward combo guard. But Wei Chuan is very good, don't worry."

Meng Tang said "Oh" and turned around to concentrate on watching the game.

In the field of vision, Wei Chuan stole the ball from No. 47 of the University of Science and Technology and was rushing towards the opponent's half at an extremely fast speed.

By the time the University of Science and Technology reacted, it was too late. Wei Chuan scored a layup and Z University led by three points at the start with 5:2.

The game is divided into 4 quarters, each 10 minutes, but this is the net time.

Including timeouts, free throws, intermissions and half-time breaks, it takes at least 1.5 to 2 hours.

The University of Science and Technology was intercepted at the beginning of the game, and the coach shouted on the sidelines to double-team Wei Chuan.

After all, as long as he gets the ball, he is sure to score.

Coach Z rolled his eyes: "It's only just started, and you're already so anxious."

The assistant coach laughed and said, "Polytechnic University has been in decline for the past two years. Wei Chuan alone was able to widen the score in the first quarter. It's normal for the other team to be anxious."

The coach snorted and laughed: "Just watch, Wei Chuan will be heavily guarded soon. The opponent's No. 6 is also very capable. As long as Wei Chuan is held back, the score may be close."

Assistant coach: "You also said that as long as Wei Chuan is delayed, it depends on whether they can delay him."

The two looked at each other, and the coach said, "I don't think we can hold it back."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wei Chuan passed the ball from behind, passed through two defenders, and gave the ball to Shao Yiming.

Shao Yiming cooperated with him well and scored with a two-handed dunk.

Z expanded its lead, and by halfway through the time, the score had widened to half.

Qin Yuan laughed at the sidelines: "The Polytechnic University's opening rhythm is not good. Their defense is better than their offense. I guess they need to switch to a zone defense."

Meng Tang understood that the University of Science and Technology had missed the point and had been limiting Wei Chuan's scoring.

However, Wei Chuan has a strong control on the court. He will adjust at any time according to the situation of the game. He will not occupy the ball without passing it, and he has a good understanding with his teammates.

As expected, the coach of the University of Science and Technology called for a switch to zone defense.

Wei Chuan made a gesture and brought the center forward to set up a pick-and-roll.

Since Meng Tang only knew Wei Chuan, his gaze naturally followed him closely.

As the first quarter was coming to an end with only eight seconds left, Wei Chuan, while being double-teamed, pulled back his hips to shake off the defense. After an emergency brake, he quickly planted his feet on the ground, pulled himself up, and with a slight shake of his wrist, the basketball left his hand.

The whistle pierced the air, and the basketball drew a perfect arc and went into the net.

“Ahh…”

Meng Tang was no longer frightened by the excited cheers behind him.

At the end of the first quarter, Z University led by ten points at 28:18. Wei Chuan scored 14 points, 5 assists and 2 steals in a single quarter.

During the two-minute break between classes, when Wei Chuan was drinking water, his eyes fell on the audience.

For a moment, Meng Tang felt that he was looking into his eyes.

Without waiting for confirmation, Qin Yuan nudged her and said, "What are you looking at?"

Meng Tang said: "I think the coach of Polytechnic University is very anxious."

"Normal." Qin Yuan smiled. "Wei Chuan hasn't started to exert his strength yet. He's just warming up. There's a high probability that he'll explode in the second quarter and use fast breaks to widen the score."

Just as Qin Yuan said, the University of Science and Technology adjusted its strategy in the second quarter.

When the opponent narrowed the score gap with a three-pointer, Wei Chuan immediately organized a counterattack.

In just three minutes, he made two assists and two long passes from his teammates, and he took three-pointers without hesitation. When the referee whistle sounded, Wei Chuan made a 3+1 and made the free throws steadily, scoring 4 points.

As a result, Z scored 11 points in the first three minutes of the second quarter, with Wei Chuan accounting for 7 points.

This completely disrupted the rhythm of the Polytechnic University, and their coach was forced to call a timeout.

If they lose and fail to advance to the semi-finals, they will naturally be unwilling to accept it.

The current score is 39:21, with Z University leading by 18 points.

Coach Z did not underestimate the enemy because of the temporary lead. He just patted Wei Chuan on the shoulder and said:

"Keep controlling your tempo. It's only the second quarter, and no one can predict whether the 18-point lead will be evened, okay?"

Wei Chuan was neither arrogant nor impatient: "I know."

The game continued, and the University of Science and Technology fought back with all their might, but they were unlucky to meet Wei Chuan's team.

After the second quarter, Polytechnic University was still trailing by 14 points.

After a 10-minute break, the players returned to the locker room and the cheerleaders came on stage.

Qin Yuan's eyes widened as he stared at her. She was so young and energetic.

Soon, at the beginning of the third quarter, the University of Science and Technology increased its defensive intensity in an attempt to disrupt Wei Chuan's rhythm.

Wei Chuan did not just guard the ball, but reduced his personal offensive opportunities, mobilized the entire team, and assisted his teammates in scoring.

Those who were watching the live broadcast sighed——

"Wei Chuan is too strong. He looks much more stable than last year. He is a double-edged swordsman."

"He can shoot and feed. I can't help but laugh. He was a scoring pro in the first two quarters, but he turned into a dribbling machine in the third quarter."

"The Polytechnic University definitely lost. They were unlucky to face Z University. If they had played against Normal University, they might have even made it to the semifinals."

"The final will definitely be between University Z and University G."

"G University is hosting the finals. If Z University's gymnasium hadn't been renovated, they probably wouldn't have been able to host it."

“…”

At the end of the third quarter, the Polytechnic University was lifeless, the score was 72:48, and there was almost no suspense.

The fact that the veteran team played like this is also related to the loss of players in the past two years.

Weichuan made it to the semi-finals last year, and many schools wanted to snatch him away, but Z University held on tightly.

The coach asked Wei Chuan if he would play in the fourth quarter. Wei Chuan shook his head and said, "Let the substitutes run a lap and show their faces."

In the end, Z University led by 20 points and easily advanced to the semi-finals, but the University of Science and Technology was severely criticized on the Internet.

While celebrating on the field, Wei Chuan looked at the audience with a smile, and everything was captured by the camera.

After the players left the field and returned to the locker room, Wei Chuan spoke to the coach, took out his phone, and sent a message to Meng Tang: [Why are you here?]