When your defense can no longer limit your opponent, the only choice you have is to compete with the opponent in offense.

This is also the Devils' choice.

In fact, they did a pretty good job.

The Tigers’ advantage on defense is that they have Dorsey inside, but the Devils’ offense focuses on the perimeter rather than the interior.

Harden can not only create damage in the interior, but also shoot from the outside. Xu Yong can not only attack the basket, but his outside shooting is also very stable.

The Devils showed enough strength and they kept the score close in the first period.

However, after both sides started the rotation, the score gap was gradually widened.

The Tigers' bench strength is obviously stronger than that of the Devils'. The most intuitive data is that the Tigers have 13 players, 8 of whom are four-star high school students of the year. This number is second only to Kansas' 10 players. On the Devils' side, there are only three players: Harden, Xu Yong and Ayers.

Sandek could only resort to the method of killing the main players in advance, which made them fall behind by only single digits in the first half.

But in the second half, as the players' physical strength was depleted, the score gap inevitably widened.

The players of the Devils team could deeply feel that the University of Memphis they were facing was a level stronger than UCLA.

With only one minute left in the game and the Devils still trailing by more than ten points, Sandek finally replaced all the main players.

At this time, they were already sweating profusely, and even Xu Yong was exhausted.

Sandek patted the shoulders of the players leaving the field one by one.

From being unranked at the beginning of the season to playing against the top-ranked University of Memphis until the end, they have done what they can to the limit.

After sitting on the bench, Harden and Xu Yong looked at the court, but their thoughts were wandering elsewhere.

Their draft stock won't change much if they fail to beat Memphis.

In other words, they were unable to realize Xu Yong's original plan.

Harden's expression was lost, just as he had originally thought, the sooner he entered the NBA, the better for him, but he was unwilling to enter the NBA just as a role player.

In comparison, Xu Yong's expression looked much calmer.

When Harden asked him that day, he told him his plan, but as a reborn person, he naturally would not leave himself a way out.

His escape route, or his plan B, is to play for another year.

This is also the reason why he didn't say anything when Yao Ming persuaded him, because what Yao Ming said was also part of the plan.

If he had chosen the [pay-to-win system], he would have undoubtedly chosen to run for the draft this year. As long as he could enter the NBA, it would only be a matter of time before he could make it.

But now he has no system, [Injury Immunity] just gives him more training time, so if he can't get a good training environment, it's better for him to stay in the NCAA and continue to improve himself.

According to his draft report, he lacks offensive means as a small forward. If he can enrich his offensive means next season, it can be predicted that his ranking will rise significantly.

Besides, this year is a big year for the draft, but next year is not.

Although the 2009 rookie class produced All-Stars such as Griffin, Harden, Curry, and DeRozan, that was after the team had their eyes opened. Historically, it was a standard weak draft year.

The draft looks at potential, and a major factor that represents potential is age. Griffin and Harden are both sophomores, and Curry is a junior. As for DeRozan, he is the same age as Harden, but entered college a year later.

In addition to these people, high-ranking rookies such as Thabeet, Jordan Hill, Terrence Williams, and Tyler Hansbrough were all "left over" during their junior and senior years.

So if he plays for another year, he will not only have a chance to make the lottery, but may even have a chance to enter the top ten.

Moreover, staying in the NCAA to enrich his offensive skills will also allow him to better adapt to the NBA.

"beep!"

The final whistle blew, the score on the field was fixed at 77 to 63, and the players stood up one after another for the final handshake.

Xu Yong also temporarily withdrew his thoughts and shook hands with the people from the University of Memphis one by one.

When shaking hands with Rose, Rose took the initiative to bump shoulders with him.

This move was a recognition from Ross.

Seeing this scene, although he had already decided to play for another year, Xu Yong still felt a little emotional.

If Rose is replaced with anyone else in the current NCAA league, the Devils actually have a chance.

But Rose's talent and personal ability are really too strong.

Yes, Rose does not have a shot, but he was able to rely on breakthroughs to win the youngest MVP in history in his third year as a rookie.

This achievement is no less than Wade, who won the championship FMVP in his third year.

Ross.

In an instant, his mind was filled with the image of Ross changing direction without slowing down.

Compared to the others, this move is really too hardcore. It's like burning your knees while playing basketball.

But at this moment, he felt something poking his head.

Hardcore play?

【Injury immunity】?

Rose's knee was ruined after his rookie season, but he won't!

No, it's not just about changing direction without slowing down, he can also learn any playing styles that are harmful to the body because he won't get hurt.

When others dunk over their opponents, they have to wait and see where they land. But he just throws the opponent into the air first, so there is no chance of getting hurt when landing.

When others are shooting, they need to be careful about the defender stepping on their feet, but he can completely ignore it. You can stretch your feet as you like, as long as I don’t break your bones!

In an instant, the door to a new world slowly opened to him.

The seed of Satan in his body is really about to awaken!

After the handshake ceremony, Xu Yong and his teammates returned to the locker room.

After a while, Sandek came to the locker room.

"I'm proud of you, kids. You've done your best." In stark contrast to his usual stern image, Sandek's eyes were full of tenderness at this moment.

He has been strict with his players throughout this season and constantly putting pressure on them, but it is not because he likes it that way, but because he knows that only in this way can this team with little talent go further.

Now, what this group of players has done has exceeded his expectations, and he has nothing to blame them for.

"I have prepared an Xbox 360 for each of you in Tempe. When you go back, you can relax for a while and think about what to do next. Kids, I am proud to coach you," Sandek said with a smile.

He finally turned his gaze to Harden and Xu Yong.

He naturally also pays attention to the future of his players. Harden and Xu Yong are first-round prospects, and they can already choose to leave college and enter the NBA.

Sandek said and left the locker room.

Xu Yong followed him out.

"coach."

Sandek heard the shouting and turned around. Seeing it was Xu Yong, he looked at him in confusion.

"Coach, I decided to play for another year." Xu Yong said.

Sandek was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect Xu Yong to make the decision so quickly.

"Don't make decisions easily, you need more time to think." Sandek suggested, young people tend to act impulsively.

"I have thought about it a lot before. I will continue to stay in the team to improve myself, and then help the team achieve better results." Xu Yong said with a firm look.

Seeing that look, Sandek remembered that the person in front of him was Xu Yong.

He didn't try to persuade her any further, but just nodded.

It's a good thing for Xu Yong and the Devils team if he stays.

Because Xu Yong has shown some potential in ball handling, if Harden goes to the draft, Xu Yong can take over.

…

After the game against the University of Memphis, the Devils' journey this season also came to an end.

Like most NBA players, they will also have a long offseason.

Most of the players on the Devils team went back to school with the team.

Although they failed to beat the University of Memphis, reaching the Sweet 16 is still something worth celebrating for Arizona State. In addition to Sandek fulfilling his promise of an Xbox 360, the school will also hold a celebration party for them.

However, Xu Yong did not go back with them. He chose to stay in Houston.

He called Yao Ming, hoping to get his help.

"Do you want to learn the pull-up shot from McGrady?" Yao Ming was very surprised when he heard Xu Yong's request, because everyone knew how much McGrady's pull-up shot hurt his waist.

"Brother Yao, Medina has congenital spinal curvature. Believe me, I can do it." Xu Yong said affirmatively.

Yes, he wants to learn McGrady's pull-up shot, because he has plans to add more weapons and train mid-range shots next season.

Now that the door to a new world has been opened, why not learn the more threatening pull-up shot?

You have to know that as a forward-guard swingman, his height is not shorter than McGrady.

And he also knows that another important reason why McGrady's pull-up shot is so threatening is that his breakthrough is strong enough, and breakthrough is also a weapon for him to improve next season after his control reaches a certain level.

Of course, there is another point. From the day he went to Yao Ming's house, he could feel that the relationship between Yao Ming and McGrady might not be as good as the media reported, but it was definitely not as hostile as some media people said. Generally speaking, they were teammates with a good relationship, so this did not make things difficult for Yao Ming.

"Okay, leave it to me." Yao Ming finally agreed because he understood Xu Yong's character. If he didn't help, Xu Yong would find other channels.

There was no need for him to refuse such a favor, and besides, the Olympics were coming up, and he also wanted Xu Yong to appear on that stage.