Chapter 332 Tactical Adjustment

"I'll play the power forward position, and I'll try to force him outside the restricted area as much as possible. Of course, if he forces his way to the basket, Oriakhi needs to help me with the defensive rotation. Williams's passing isn't very good, so doing this won't hurt the defensive system," Tang Tian continued.

Calhoun nodded thoughtfully.

Tang Tian's defense outside the restricted area was absolutely solid, and that had been proven countless times. The reason he hadn't started Tang Tian at the power forward position before was because he was worried Tang Tian would be at a disadvantage in the paint, and besides, Orlander's starting performance had been good. That's why he hadn't mentioned adjusting the starting lineup in the locker room earlier.

But what Tang Tian said now reminded him that Williams's average assists for the entire season was less than one, which was indeed a point that could be exploited.

"Of course, defense is secondary. The main thing is the offensive end. I can run pick-and-rolls with Kemba. If they switch, then Kemba can take him one-on-one. If they don't switch, with Williams's speed, I'll have plenty of time to catch the ball on the outside and shoot a three," Tang Tian said, laying out the core idea in one breath.

This was actually one of UConn's main tactics before, but because of Calhoun's starting lineup adjustment, the person defending Tang Tian had become Hill, so it had lost its effectiveness. Tang Tian was now bringing it up again.

Moreover, what he said made perfect sense. Williams was actually a bit like the later James Harden. He had gained too much weight to increase his strength, which was good for low post defense, but his lateral movement had decreased too much, making it easy for people to blow past him and turn into "eye defense" and the like.

Calhoun nodded after listening. If it had been before the game, he probably wouldn't have agreed, because changing the starting lineup was a decision he and Ollie had discussed for a whole night. But now, the team was in dire straits, and Tang Tian's analysis was thorough, so he convinced him right away.

"Okay, let's go to the locker room," he said, standing up.

Tactical adjustments. While there was still some time, he had to rearrange things.

After the 15-minute break, the starting players from both sides took to the court one after another, and the second half of the game was about to begin.

It was at this moment that the commentators at the side of the court noticed UConn's starting lineup adjustment.

"A big change. Connecticut has switched back to their most commonly used starting lineup. What do you think?" the commentator said, turning to his partner.

"It's a bit of a risk. Actually, Orlander's effect as a starter in the first half was very good, but it only lost its effect because Williams was in such a great state. This adjustment now feels like a forced choice, and the size difference between Tang and Williams is a bit too big. He's going to get killed down low," the guest commentator said, analyzing.

"Yes, I also think it would be better to continue using Orlander. It's hard for Williams to maintain that kind of efficiency for the whole game," the commentator echoed.

While the two commentators were talking, the second half of the game had already begun.

The University of Arizona had the first possession in the second half.

After seeing UConn's starting lineup adjustment, Williams was the happiest of all. His favorite way to play was to crush people with his body.

Moreover, Tang Tian's defensive ability had been recognized by many people before. If he could blow past Tang Tian in front of all the scouts, it would definitely be a good boost to his draft prospects.

You had to know that the Cavaliers, Timberwolves, and Raptors, the three teams most likely to get a top-three pick, all had scouts at the game today.

Williams called for the ball in the low post, and Tang Tian directly chose to front him, not giving him a chance to receive the ball.

Johnson signaled for Williams to come out and receive the ball on the outside.

The best way to break a front is to lob it to the basket, but Oriakhi had an advantage under the basket, so even if the ball was lobbed in, it wouldn't be easy to score.

Williams shook off Tang Tian and went to the high post, looking a little unhappy.

The defense he hated the most was this kind of fronting, which didn't even allow him to receive the ball comfortably.

After getting the ball at the high post, he signaled for his teammates to spread out, and then he started to post up Tang Tian with his back.

Tang Tian was fast, so it wouldn't be easy for him to attack head-on, but he had an absolute advantage in strength when posting up.

"Bang! Bang!"

Tang Tian's strength wasn't bad, but because of the weight difference, Williams forced him back several steps.

The University of Arizona fans erupted in cheers. This kind of tank-style play was very entertaining.

"Bang!"

Another hard collision, and Tang Tian fell to the ground.

However, the referee didn't call an offensive foul.

Williams almost lost his balance, but he reacted quickly and used his outstanding talent to control his body. Then, he turned to the basket and saw Oriakhi, taking a shot before him.

This shot was difficult.

The ball went over Oriakhi's blocking hand and hit the backboard, bouncing into the basket after a high bank shot.

His touch was still hot after resting for half a game!

The University of Arizona had taken the lead!

Whistles filled the arena.

UConn's substitution was a bit of a joke. Tang Tian and Williams weren't even players in the same position.

"It seems that UConn's adjustment isn't working well. Williams has brought his first-half form into the second half," the commentator said with a smile.

"Yes, if UConn doesn't bring Orlander back in sooner, and Williams gets his rhythm going, then when they bring him back on, it will be as ineffective as in the second half of the first half," the guest commentator added.

The camera focused on UConn's bench, where Calhoun was sitting, not showing any intention of making an adjustment.

It seemed that the old coach was also a bit helpless.

"This is talent! The so-called best defensive player, the so-called tactics, are all empty!" Jefferson said with a loud laugh from the stands.

"We underestimated Coach Miller a bit. He really had the guts to get Williams in rhythm with the small lineup in the first half," Terry said, changing his tune from the first half.

Although the second half had just started, Williams's form had already made everything clear. The University of Arizona would continue the momentum from the first half.

You had to know that they had come back from a 12-point deficit in the first half, but the second half started with a tie. If the University of Arizona continued this momentum, they would turn around and lead UConn by ten or even twenty points!

"Go! Connecticut!"

The UConn fans in the arena also sensed this crisis and shouted in unison to cheer for UConn.

Tang Tian set a pick for Walker at the high post.

After the pick, the University of Arizona chose to switch. They were afraid of Tang Tian's three-pointer and didn't dare to double-team Walker.

Walker dribbled straight towards the basket, changing direction.

Williams couldn't keep up with the rhythm and was almost blown past by Walker.

Walker made a layup before Perry could rotate over.

After scoring, Walker pounded his chest forcefully. His performance in the first half hadn't been good, but after playing the familiar pick-and-roll with Tang Tian in the second half, he felt like himself again.

The UConn fans erupted in cheers.

Williams's score made it seem like UConn was about to collapse, but Walker's basket forcefully pulled them back!

ps: There's another chapter later. These two chapters will be updated together.