Chapter 158: Looking at each other in bewilderment
"We know what kind of team is standing on the other side of the net, but we also know that the team standing on this side of the net is better and more outstanding, and we are ready to defeat our opponent."
Facing the reporters, Coach Smith was full of energy and gave instructions. He showed great confidence throughout the interview. He did not affirm the strength of the Bruins at all. His words and deeds emphasized the strength of the Trojans. It was obvious that he was full of confidence in this final and was ready to win the championship.
But after leaving the spotlight, Coach Smith had a headache.
Despise the enemy strategically and take the enemy seriously tactically.
Coach Smith knew very well that this championship game was going to be very different from the regular season, and the Bruins’ singles players were indeed in outstanding form.
After arriving in Athens, the Brown Bears still maintained a perfect record in singles matches, which is a very scary performance. In addition to Thompson and Gillon who are beginning to recover, Gawain has grown into the Brown Bears' top player and should not be underestimated.
"Ranked 17th in the United States"? If there are still people who are foolish enough to judge the strength of Gao Wen based on his ranking number, then Coach Smith will sneer and tell them that this is the first step towards the abyss of failure.
They must face up to Gawain's rapid growth and transformation. Gawain is now at the same level as Thompson and Gillon at the beginning of the season, or even better. But the problem is that even facing up to Gawain's strength, Coach Smith has not been able to find an effective way to fight against him.
How should the formation be arranged? Of course, this is a team competition, and the strategy of "Tian Ji's Horse Racing" will always work. It is a feasible solution, even a highly efficient solution, to randomly arrange a player to play against Gao Wen, strategically give up this victory, and then win the whole game through other matches.
But ideas are ideas, and execution is another matter.
First, how will Coach Martin arrange his troops, where will Gao Wen be placed, and how should they arrange their troops to accurately "discard" Gao Wen's game? Second, even if they successfully "abandon" this game, how should they play against other teams? Thompson, Gillon, and McDonald, whose growth rate is also not to be underestimated, are all tough. If the matchup schedule is not properly arranged, these games may also fall into a passive position, which is actually shooting themselves in the foot.
Calculation and counter-calculation is a science. Otherwise, Coach Cowell of the University of Oklahoma is a lesson learned. He was too clever and outsmarted himself. The Sooners obviously had the strength to defeat any team, but they lost one-sidedly in the semifinals. Coach Smith does not want to repeat the same mistake.
Since "Tian Ji's Horse Racing" has so many concerns, what about a fair and square victory?
Who can defeat Gawain?
Sacramento? Hanfman? Queiroz? Or another dark horse? First of all, we need to rule out Queiroz.
Overall, Queiroz, who is ranked 42nd in the United States, is still not capable enough. His flexible and tactical style of play can give him some advantages when facing McDonald or Bremer, but he still has a clear gap compared to Alcorta. It will be very difficult for him to face Gawain, very, very difficult.
As for Saramento, judging from the two encounters this season, he does have the ability to fight back, and his defensive counterattack style of play can always ensure a safety factor. The big defeat in his second encounter with Gao Wen was mainly due to tactical mistakes. If he returns to his own familiar style of play, he may have a chance.
As for Hanfman, his power-based playing style is indeed very impactful, and he has an innate advantage against players like Gawain and Alcorta. The last time he and Gawain faced off, the match went to the very end, with two tie-breaks deciding the winner. In terms of playing style and routine, choosing Hanfman is of course the right choice.
but……
In Athens, the game between Gowen and Ohio State University's Kerbert was so thrilling that Coach Smith had to express his concern. Can Hanfman's performance surpass Kerbert's, stay calm, and perform at his normal level?
What a headache!
The semi-finals just ended and there was no time to cheer or celebrate. Coach Smith had already started thinking about the lineup for tomorrow's final. The Trojans' players were no exception. They were all eagerly looking forward to the fourth Los Angeles derby of the season. Facing their arch-rivals again, what they lacked the least was fighting spirit.
However, Hanfman was a little worried.
Seeing that all the news in the newspapers were about Gawain, Hanfman became withdrawn.
What you fear will come true.
In fact, Hanfman is a player with a tough style and strong will. He has never lacked confidence, and he is even flamboyant and extroverted. Naturally, Hanfman will not be easily afraid of any opponent. No matter what the game is, he dares to attack his opponent.
However, everyone has their weaknesses, and Hanfman is no exception.
What he disliked most was playing against players who were unpredictable, slippery, and unpredictable, like okra or yams.
Hanfman's game rhythm is relatively monotonous and consistent. He exerts all his strength and is tough to the end. However, facing players who constantly change the rhythm and tactics, he is forced out of his comfort zone at all times. Not only does he need to keep thinking, but he also cannot exert his strength as he pleases. In such a game, he will feel uncomfortable all over.
That feeling was as if countless ants were crawling on my body. It was so weird and uncomfortable that I couldn't describe it.
Before the match against Gawain, Hanfman didn't like Gawain's style, but he didn't feel deeply about it.
Because there are many players with similar styles in the league, such as Alcorta, Giron, etc. Hanfman doesn't like them, but in these games, he can often suppress his opponents with strength and gain the upper hand. He can always win after suffering. Hanfman also convinced himself:
“Tempering, this is a kind of tempering of will.”
It was not until Hanfman and Gawain came face to face that he felt deeply the erosion of fear.
The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!
Although Hanfman persisted in fighting until the last moment, his tenacious will allowed him to grit his teeth and fight for two tiebreaks before he regretfully lost the game; however, the ups and downs, fast and slow pace of the game was like a nightmare that haunted Hanfman.
Even now, Hanfman occasionally wakes up from nightmares.
If possible, Hanfman never wanted to fight with Gawain again, and never wanted to relive that awkward experience.
Especially after arriving in Athens, Gawain gave Kerbert two donuts in the game, and his dominant and strong performance made Hanfman tremble.
It doesn't matter if others haven't experienced it, but he himself has actually faced Gawain and knows the feeling of "being so frustrated that you want to explode but can't release it". At a certain moment, he wanted to hit his head with the racket directly, otherwise his head might really explode.
From that time on, Hanfman prayed secretly that the Bruins would lose, the Bruins would lose, and the Bruins would lose. As long as the Bruins were eliminated early, he wouldn't have to face Gawain, right?
result……
Damn it.
Third update.
(End of this chapter)