Chapter 37: Trojans VS Cardinals (Thanks to Sunset Shadow Boss for putting me on my book list)

The Banksy Life Arena was filled with spectators from all over the country. Banksy Life Arena is an indoor gymnasium located in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It is now the home of the National Basketball Association (NBA) Indiana Wanderers and the National Women's Basketball League (WNBA) Indiana Mania.

The stadium was built on July 22, 1997 and opened on November 6, 1999. The first game played there was on November 6, 1999, when the Indiana Wanderers played at home against the Boston Celtics. In 2002, part of the World Basketball Championship was also held here.

In 2011, the course was renamed Banks' Life Arena. In addition to being home to the Indiana Pacers and Enthusiasts, Banks' Life Arena was home to the Indiana Firebirds of the AFL (American Indoor Football League) from 2001-2004 and the Indiana Ice Team of the USHL (American Hockey League) from 2012-2014.

At the same time, the arena also hosts professional and semi-professional competitive competitions such as college basketball games (including the annual Top 10 Conference Tournament), chamber concerts, ice hockey, bull riding competitions, and more. According to a survey of readers by Sports Business Journal/Sports Business Daily, Banksy Life Arena ranked first in the NBA overall ranking in 2005, 2006 and 2007; In 2006, Extreme Sports Journey reaffirmed that the Banksy Life Arena was the "best of the best" among the four major sports leagues.

And just this evening, the USC Tedlowians from California and the Cardinals from the University of Louisville in Kentucky will be here to determine the 16-8 spot in March Madness.

"Marc Mojay, what are you looking at?" Anderson, who was warming up, saw Li Mojie looking at the members of the Cardinals opposite him with a solemn face, and asked suspiciously.

"Tonight's game should be the hardest game of the year!" Unexpectedly, Li Mojie said something that surprised everyone with a solemn face.

"Wouldn't it? Marc Marc Mord, that University of Washington is so strong that we have taken it out. Richardson, who was next to him, asked in surprise when he heard Li Mojie's astonishing words.

"Yes, Mo Jayer, are you thinking too much, I googled their information about the University of Louisville before the game, and the most recent year they won the NCAA championship was 1986, when we were not even born!" Anderson said with a smile.

"Yes, Mo Jayer, you must have thought too much, no one on this University of Louisville Cardinals team was listed as a first-round pick by ESPN, it must be not very strong, and you are lucky to break here." Richardson on the side said disapprovingly.

"Well, if it were, it would be good!" Li Mojie sighed, I really don't know how to explain to them, the strength of the other side, I am afraid that he is the most clear person on the planet, better than themselves, he was mixed in Tiger Fight Sports in his previous life, and he knows very well how this magical team has successfully counterattacked this year when everyone is not optimistic, experienced injuries, broken legs of main players and other crises, and won the NCAA championship legendarily.

He remembers it vividly: the University of Louisville Cardinals, represented by Wes Unseld. Famous coaches: Danny Klum, Rick Pitino.

The Louisville Cardinals are also NCAA treble winners. They won the NCAA championship in 1980, 1986 and 2013. While the University of Louisville doesn't have the same number of NBA players as the previous elite schools, it does have historical superstars like Unseld. Their 2013 NCAA championship under Rick Pitino is even more surprising because almost none of the team's main players have made it to the NBA. Rick Pitino became the first coach to lead two different teams to the NCAA championship.

The Louisville Cardinals team rarely produces talented young people, but every Cardinal player has a tough defense, a strong style of play, and team-oriented tactical literacy. This is the secret of their success.

The Trojans started five: Hood, Richardson, Lee Mojab, Anderson, Charles, and backup small forward Benn

The Cardinals started five: Russ Smith, Kevin Weil, Payton Silva, Gil Gonzalez, Gorgui Guiang, and backup small forward Luke Hancock

The two sides routinely sent a center to jump the ball, and this time Charles jumped the ball to win.

Hood took to the frontcourt, Lee Mojie and Anderson on the right side covered without the ball, received the basketball, and the opposing captain Payton quickly bypassed Anderson and got close to Li Mojie the moment he turned to face the frame.

Li Mojie protected the basketball with his back, squeezed Peyton, and found that the junior small forward was stocky and couldn't squeeze away.

Payton, who is 203cm tall, has a strong confrontation, has played in the NCAA for three years, and his physical experience is very mature.

Coach Rick has been researching teams for a long time before the NCAA Round of 64 is played, especially the Trojans, who have been in the limelight lately. The opening tactic was man-marking, allowing Payton, a top defender on the perimeter, to defend Li Mojie alone, and the others to cut off Li Mojie's contact with his teammates at any time.

Lee didn't find a chance to make a move and passed to Hood, who passed the ball over Russ's head to Richardson on the three-point line.

Richardson stood up to the Cardinals' only star shooting guard, Will, a typical 198cm tall 3-and-D player who excelled at running and defending, fighting aggressively, and was especially full of energy. Richardson turned to the right and forced his shot wide, and the rebound was picked up by Gorgi.

The Cardinals attacked, the Trojans also defended 1-on-1, and Lee Mojie followed Payton firmly.

However, it turns out that Payton is only a stopover for the ball. Less than 2 seconds after the ball was passed to Payton, he would pass the ball out again, and there was no intention of single-handing Li Mojie, the top pick, to improve his position.

The ball passed to the center Gorgi, he received the ball on the left side and first turned his back to Charles, took the ball and shook it to the middle, attracting Charles to move to the middle, and then turned around to the bottom line, jumped quickly, and shot with one hand.

This Gorgi is very skilled in the low post, and Charles can't do anything once he eats up, and the difference in height and reach makes it impossible for him to block Gorgi, and the ball hits the board into the frame. 0 to 2.

Gorgui doesn't just play with his body, he has skills, and such a person is not limited by strength.

The Trojans attacked, Anderson covered on the side, Li Mojie received the ball, Payton quickly changed defenses, and Gill also bypassed Anderson, and the two formed a pack.

Li Mojie was suddenly extremely uncomfortable.

Jill is physically strong, tall and has an excellent arm span, and Payton is quick and eyeing the sidelines, and if he doesn't shoot directly, it will be difficult to even dribble.

Li Mojie subconsciously thought that Anderson was now in a state of being let go and would get a chance, so he passed the ball to the side without careful observation. As a result, Will let go of Richardson and broke the ball off in the passing path.

Will passed Russ to a quick counterattack, the latter shook off Hood, jumped up with all his strength in front of the free throw line, and glided in the air for some distance, but it was a bit like Westbrook, dunking the basketball with one hand! 0 to 4.

The on-site commentator shouted: "Super dunk, Russ scored a morale-boosting goal, his physical fitness is amazing, and the Warriors of the University of Louisville Cardinals are not at all afraid to face the top favorite!" ”

The Banksy Life Arena was detonated by Russ's goal, and the fans supporting the Cardinals raised their arms and chanted.

Although the University of Louisville is not well-known in the NCAA, far from being as famous as the University of Kentucky in the same region and state, fans who have been following and supporting the University of Louisville Cardinals firmly believe that the strength of the Cardinals is not weak, and they are qualified and capable of defeating any opponent!

The Trojans attacked, Lee Mojie relied on Anderson to cover to get rid of Payton, and Gill quickly switched defenses.

After being blocked, Li Mojie did not pass the ball again this time, but relied on his personal ability, first made a cross-step dribble, then held the ball to the left, pretended to shoot directly, attracted the center of gravity of Gil's defense, and then used his excellent core strength and arm span to pull the ball back, and went straight to the right for three steps to the basket.

"Beautiful feints, beautiful, completely the embodiment of personal ability, virtual and all in one go, it really feels like Pierce!" The DJ at Banksy Life Arena also praised it. 2:4

Rick, the head coach of the Cardinals off the field, immediately couldn't help but applaud, the defensive players have been put in place, and people can still break through, this is not a matter of tactics, but a problem of the talent and strength of the players.

The Cardinals battled in a positional battle, with several passes from the perimeter, Gorgui giving Will a side cover to get rid of Richardson, Charles did not defend the penalty area, and the vacancy appeared.

Will catches the ball on the right side of the 70-degree jumper for three points, and the ball hollows into the net! 2 to 7.