super heavy artillery

Chapter 143

Chapter 143

After winning the game, Paley Stadium fell into a carnival.Although they have just taken the first step, it is a good start.Moreover, the strength shown by UCLA makes everyone feel confident.

After the game, Alford and An Luo attended the press conference.

An Luo sat on the speaking seat and looked around the scene.He found that there were significantly more reporters participating this time than before.But after thinking about it, this is a national championship after all, and it is normal for many people to come.

Therefore, this time the press conference lasted a little longer.This time Alford is no longer as cautious and stern as he was in the regular season.He smiled happily at the press conference.It can be seen that he is really satisfied with this game.

"Coach Steve, what do you think of this victory?"

"Asheville is a good team, but we played better in this game. Our players played very well, every player did their duty on the court. Especially Ann, he played both offensively and defensively. All performances are very good. Of course, winning this game is not due to An alone, but the result of the hard work of the whole team."

"How do you help the players deal with the defensive strategy Asheville has against you? We saw that UCLA had a difficult time at the beginning of the game."

"In fact, we didn't make any special arrangements. I just kept emphasizing that they should play the game according to their own rhythm and play their own characteristics and offensiveness. Fortunately, they all did it!"

……

"Ann, how do you feel after this game? How is the "March Madness" game different from the regular season?"

"In March, the intensity of the game increased a lot. The confrontation became very intense. In the game, it was much more difficult to score than before. Everyone put a lot of energy on the defensive end, and they were very tough. Of course, We are the same. To win the game, defense is also very important. Just like today, we let the opponent’s shooting percentage drop a lot through defense and caused the opponent’s turnover. This is the key to us winning the game.”

"Ann, we've noticed that since the conference tournament, you've stepped up your mid-range shots. Does that have anything to do with your drop in three-point shooting?"

"Oh? This is a very interesting question. However, I haven't paid attention to this issue at all. The reason why I strengthen the mid-range shot is just because there are no good opportunities to shoot three-pointers. You all know that now everyone Everyone is watching me very closely! Shooting a three-pointer is simply too difficult!"

……

UCLA is considered to be a team that advanced to the top 32 relatively early.

Their opponents are the winners of the University of Arizona and the University of Connecticut.Although the University of Arizona ranks above Connecticut, most people still favor the latter.Everyone, including UCLA, is not optimistic about the University of Arizona.

But there are never absolutes in a basketball game.Maybe Arizona can advance to the top 32.

On March 3, at the home court of the University of Arizona, the seventh game of the NCAA West Division officially started.

After the opening, Alonzo Trier, a potential rookie from the University of Arizona, scored the first goal.He shot a cold arrow outside the three-point line and hit a three-pointer.Immediately afterwards, Connecticut's Daniel Hamilton's layup was cleanly blocked by the Arizona center.And the basketball was caught in the arms of Arizona forward Ryan Anderson, and then a pass from the quarterback assisted his teammate to make a layup.

In the opening game, Arizona took the lead and beat Connecticut 5:0.

But Connecticut quickly found its game.Big center Amida Brima scored a jumper to open the scoring for Connecticut.Subsequently, Sterling Gibbs hit an open three-pointer at a 45-degree angle, approaching the score.

In the next 10 minutes, the scores of the two sides rose alternately, and the difference between the two teams was always within 5 points.It wasn't until Alonzo Trier and Gabe York hit consecutive three-pointers that they were able to open the score.At the end of the first half, the University of Arizona led by 9 points.

It seems that most of UCLA's opponents are the University of Arizona. Everyone at UCLA was slightly disappointed.Although the University of Arizona is also not a threat to the current UCLA.But they'd much rather run into Connecticut.

In the second half of the game, both sides strengthened their defense.In 2 minutes, neither team scored, the players hit the iron frequently, and the offensive efficiency was very low.

In the end, it was Amida Brima who broke the scoring drought for Connecticut. He has a height advantage in the paint.So Connecticut immediately turned the offense in, and it worked out well.

The game went on for about 10 minutes, and the point difference between the two sides has always been stable.

But that changed after Sterling Gibbs hit two straight [-]-pointers to tie UConn's game.

The University of Arizona appears to have lost power suddenly.The outside line lost its sight, and the inside line could not get in.

An Luo shook his head, the game was basically over.

Arizona shot too much in the first half.Of course, it's not that a high hit rate is bad, it's fine if you want a high hit rate throughout the game.In a situation like theirs that suddenly exceeds the normal level, once the sight is lost, the contrast between the front and the back will make the players at a loss.Thus losing the rhythm of the game, and then losing the game.

Although in the last few minutes, Arizona tried to score inside.But Connecticut's defense paid off.They decisively shrunk their line of defense and held back the opponent's counterattack.

In the end, the University of Connecticut reversed and won the away game, and advanced to the top 32.

With the end of this game, UCLA's opponent in the next round will be announced.As most people judged, Connecticut became UCLA's road to the Sweet Sixteen.

The UCLA crowd who watched the live broadcast together were quite satisfied with the result.Although it seems that the University of Arizona is weaker, UCLA may not have an easier time than Connecticut if it encounters.After all, everyone is a team in the same league, and they have played against each other twice in the regular season, so they know the basics.There is nothing to hide and nothing to cheat.You can only fight head-on.

It would be better to switch to a team from another division, probably because the opponent is not familiar with UCLA, and relying on An Luo's super offensive firepower and overall strong defense, it may be easier to win.

Alford doesn't want to see his team go all the way.He also wanted to let his players retain some strength and play against the strong teams behind.

Of course, for An Luo, it doesn't matter who the opponent is.Anyway, he thinks they are pretty strong.

However, UCLA is stronger.

(End of this chapter)