Chapter 36: Advance to the round of 16
Before the start of today's second round of the USC vs. University of Washington match, the cheerleading teams of the two teams took the lead in the competition, kicking off the prelude to this "battle". The cheerleaders of the University of Washington took the lead and staged a cheerleading dance for the California fans to the accompaniment of the school band, which drew applause from the University of Washington fans. However, USC is not to be outdone, and although today's Key Arena is more like the home of the University of Washington, the USC Trojans cheered on the team with the support of a small number of fans in attendance, and did not have the slightest advantage in momentum.
The cheerleaders compete off the field, but the victory or defeat of the game depends on strength.
Richardson and Benn were the odds, scoring 25 points in the first half and just six in the second half. Lee had 24 points and seven assists, Anderson had 12 and Hood had 12.
The rivalry between the two teams is eye-catching. The University of Southern California is "after the famous family", the reputation of the school does not need to be counted, the champion team of the Pacific 12 League, there is no shortage of strength and fame, and the first game was to defeat the powerful Maryland Turtles. There is also the most watched champion in the team this year, Li Mojie, who can average 23.7 points + 7.8 assists + 6.4 rebounds per game
And the University of Washington also has the second-ranked small forward given by ESPN in 13 years, Otto Porter, who is also averaging 16.2 points + 7.5 rebounds + 2.7 assists per game this year. He has scored in double figures for 27 times, and has been named a Basketball Times All-American Player of the Year, a Great East Player of the Year, an Associated Press All-American First Team, a John Wooden All-American Team of America by the American Basketball Coaches Association, and a finalist for the John Wooden Award and Naismith Awards. He was named the Great East Player of the Week three times in a row this season, becoming the first player in the history of the Great East to do so since 2003.
Richardson and backup small forward Benn were the odd men of the first half. This year's NCAA No. 1 favorite had a frightening consistent performance, and Li Mojie came up to single-handedly Alto Porter with two mid-range shots and a three-pointer from the bottom corner after a no-ball screen, and made 3 of 3 shots after today's opening game to score the first seven points for the Trojans.
However, he was quickly targeted by the University of Washington Huskies, and was fouled twice by Washington's point guard and Otto Porter, and had to go off the break. Bench small forwards Benn and Richardson began to put on a show, hitting three three-pointers and locking up opposing players in less than three minutes.
USC went on a 13-7 run to take a 20-14 lead. With 3:55 left in the first half, Anderson scored a layup to give the USC Trojans a 10-point lead at 33-23. Trailing by double digits is nothing new for the University of Washington, and they won't be afraid to do so because of this year's junior Otto Porter as the core.
The next few minutes became his performance time, and in less than 2 minutes, because Li Mojie had a bit of fouls in this game, Otto Porter played smoothly, shooting 3 of 3 two-pointers, and the 3-pointer was also driven to feel, and he made one of two shots. USC's timeout didn't stop him. After scoring nine straight points for the University of Washington, the morale of the University of Washington Husky Dogs was also boosted, and everyone on the team worked together to take a 40-38 lead. Lee forced a break through Otto Porter with five seconds left in the first half and played a 2+1 to regain USC's lead at 41-40.
As a small forward off the bench, Benn previously averaged only 3.8 points per game, but today he scored 15 points on 3-of-5 two-pointers, including 3-of-4 from three-point range. Richardson didn't show weakness on three-pointers today, shooting 3-of-4 from three-point range and 1-of-2 from the free-throw line, scoring 10 points.
The two teams were more competitive in the second half. The USC Trojans have a good hand with Jacques Lee and Anderson, with USC leading by four points at one point. The Eskimos began to show their strength as centers Behannan and Hancock hit back-to-back baskets to put them on a 9-1 run to take a 52-47 lead. Hood found his senses, and with 9:31 left in the game, he broke through with the ball of his own, and there was no defender in front of him, and he ended with a violent dunk that put USC at 58-60.
However, the weakness of the USC Trojans inside was undoubtedly revealed in front of everyone, and the number of rebounds and interior defense success rate of USC lost to the opposite side in two consecutive games in this game. With the University of Washington Husky players constantly breaking through the inside line, the gap between the two sides widened. With 3:37 left in the game, the University of Washington led by six points at 75-69, with Washington's center Behannan scoring four straight points to beat the Trojans' Charles to the bitter end.
Coach Neil, under the constant wiping of sweat, ordered to start pressing all over the court. With 1 minute and 40 seconds left in the game, Li Mojie, who had not played more than one game today, stepped forward and combined the sudden points and shots perfectly, making the Huskies helpless. Anderson also ate cakes again and again to successfully chase the score to 74-77. At the critical moment, Behannan stepped on the line when grabbing the rebound, Anderson forced a three-point shot 22 seconds before the end, failed to hit, Li Mojie grabbed this key rebound, Behannan made a brainless foul at this time, he blocked the reasonable collision zone when Li Mojie made a layup and made a stupid block, Li Mojie was a smart puller, Behannan hit Li Mojie's left hand, but the ball had fallen into the basket, and he had to add a penalty.
Amid the boos of the University of Washington fans, Lee stood at the free-throw line. Coach Neal on the sidelines, teammate Anderson and others, Li Yayi and the Li family's parents in the audience felt that their voices were about to jump out, and in the closer of the camera on the court, everyone found that Li Mojie's face became more and more calm, his shooting posture was beautiful, and he steadily added free throws to 77:77, and the two sides tied again.
"Big heart player! It deserves to be the top hit! The DJ at the Key Arena was also amazed by the performance of this young man who was not yet 19 years old, and exclaimed in admiration.
After the University of Washington called a long timeout, there were only 20 seconds left in the game, the USC Trojans pressed all over the court in Neil's shouting, the University of Washington split the ball to Otto Porter, but was interfered by Li Mojie's long arm, the two argued, the ball flew to the sidelines, Li Mojie flew off the court to save the ball, only to catch a glimpse of the University of Washington half of the Trojans jersey, flicked the ball hard, and threw it to the University of Washington half.
Lying on the sidelines, Lee Mojie saw Hood take the ball and make a light layup, and then everyone on the Trojans bench stood up and cheered.
In the end, the University of Washington's first halftime bet missed a three-point bet, 79-77, and USC won the game with a hard time.
'Today's win was perfect for the players, for the school and for all the fans who supported us. Coach Neil cried with joy, "We went through a lot of defeats last year and I'm happy that we were able to bring this victory to our people, and at the same time my players showed their quality on the national stage, they were great. ”
However, the strength is a bit cruel for the players at the University of Washington. After the game, the players appeared at the press conference with their heads downcast, only the coach barely managed to squeeze out a smile and congratulate his opponent on the victory as a gesture of grace. But it must have been a disappointing day for the team and the fans. But the losers are destined to be forgotten by history. At the same time, the television in the media room was playing the news that traditional powerhouses such as Duke, the University of Kentucky, and the University of North Carolina had successfully advanced to the third round.
When asked what he thinks of Li Mojie's big heart, USC head coach Neil thinks Li Mojie is a well-deserved candidate for the top prize. "For a kid under 19 years old, this is Major's first trip to the NCAA, and he's at the heart of the Trojans, and with his special skin color, he's under a lot of pressure. But his excellent ball intelligence and calm handling of key balls will never disappoint us, which is why we have been able to go from 15-17 last year to become this year's Pacific 12 Conference champion. At the same time, Li Mojie himself hopes that he can devote himself to the NCAA knockout round and be less distracted by the outside world: "I am very grateful to my coach and teammates, this knockout tournament means a lot to me, and I look forward to our performance this year." Li Mojie's words reflect his maturity that does not match his age.
ESPN's post-match report: Li Mojie is indeed a rare talent. He has a very high shooting percentage, and his passing awareness and big-picture vision on the court are at the top of the college league. At the same time, his maturity and calmness beyond his years on the court are his greatest strengths. In the eyes of reporters, Li Mojie has a high concentration on the field and feels like a cold killer. He used shouting, gestures and eye contact with his teammates on the field again and again, while motivating his teammates to move forward, and playing the role of USC conductor on the field with his practical actions to lead the team to victory.
At the same time, the media has also predicted that with the strength of this year, the Trojans' NCAA journey will not go far.