Two days ago, maybe it was the San Diego State Aztecs who made it to the second round with a foul, or maybe they felt they couldn't beat Duke anyway.

After their victory in the first round, the whole team happily ran to the bar to celebrate.

And then......

Several players and their manager have eaten unclean food, have been hospitalized with gastroenteritis, and are bound to miss the game.

Among the hospitalized players are their main center, small forward, shooting guard and point guard. Against Duke, it's basically a bench lineup.

Duke University was originally strong, but now that several of the opposing generals and head coaches are hospitalized, everyone no longer doubts that Duke University can win this game.

Even several major bookmakers immediately stopped betting on this game after getting the news.

While everyone thought Duke would win easily, the format of the game was a surprise.

On March 22, the second round of the Southern Division was contested, with Duke University facing San Diego State University.

San Diego State starters: Point guard: Livingston, shooting guard: Terry. Kyle, Small Forward: Malik, Power Forward Thomas, Center: Shebad.

Duke University: Cook, Zifeng Zhang, Winslow, Jefferson, Okafor.

As the referee's whistle blew, Okafor and San Diego State center Shepard jumped the ball in the center circle.

Facing Okafor, the league's top center, Shepard lost completely.

Okafor easily snatched the opening jump ball for Duke University, and Cook received the ball and quickly advanced into the half.

When Zhang Zifeng ran to the frontcourt, he found that in addition to Okafor running to the penalty area to ask for a position, Jackson and Winslow were still behind and did not follow.

After looking at the two opponents in front of him, and seeing Okafor and Shepard fighting, Okafor grabbed a good position.

Zhang Zifeng had no choice but to pass the ball to Okafor. Okafor used his nimble pace and reach to score on the inside singles Shebard.

0：2

Switching offense and defense, probably because the San Diego State University players feel that it is impossible to win anyway, so let it go!

They were relaxed and in good form.

Thomas mentioned the high position to Terry. Kyle does the pick-and-roll.

Zhang Zifeng was blocked, and he had to let Jefferson change his defense.

Jefferson was slow to make up for it, Terry. Kyle didn't hesitate and hit the jumper.

2:2 draw.

Zhang Zifeng saw it, patted it and shouted to Jefferson, "Amili follow tightly, don't give the other party a chance to shoot easily." It's a tournament now, so we have to work hard and put more pressure on each other! ”

Jefferson shouted unhappily, "I know how to play, I don't need you to teach me!" ”

Hearing Jefferson's unhappy tone, Zhang Zifeng was also a little dissatisfied with the other party's attitude, but he knew that this was not the time to lose his temper.

Zhang Zifeng pressed down and ran forward.

Duke University attacked, and just after half the court, Zhang Zifeng received a pass, but he was not satisfied.

The timing of Cook's pass was terrible. Just after half-time, the ball came over.

Zhang Zifeng gets the ball, Terry. Kyle pressed up, Zhang Zifeng stood in the middle line, and there was no suitable space for a breakthrough. You can't go back, otherwise it's a violation.

As a last resort, Zhang Zifeng could only pass the ball out, but when Zhang Zifeng just passed the ball in his hand.

Malik sprang out and broke the ball.

Malik took the lead after winning the ball, and Zhang Zifeng chased after him frantically.

San Diego State ran toward Duke's half-court effort. Zhang Zifeng quickly followed Malik.

Malik noticed that Zhang Zifeng was following closely behind him.

Malik jumped up and stretched out his arm, and Zhang Zifeng's big palm had already flown close.

Malik didn't choose to shoot, he dodged Zhang Zifeng's block and threw the ball directly onto the rebound!

Zhang Zifeng was wondering that it was impossible to score a goal with such a shot.

Could it be that he put too much pressure on him, and he made a mistake!

When Zhang Zifeng heard the screams of the fans, he suddenly felt that someone was running from behind.

Bang!

Zhang Zifeng heard a slam dunk!

Terry. Kyle caught Malik's bounce ball in the air and then completed the relay in the air, smashing the ball into the basket!

4:2。

Zhang Zifeng picked up the ball and shouted to Cook, "Quinn, you can't pass the ball like this, it's hard for me to handle the ball like this!" ”

Cook said with a blank face, "Aren't you a basketball superstar?" Can't handle that? ”

After speaking, Cook sent the ball out and ran to the front court, not bird Zhang Zifeng.

Zhang Zifeng was a little weak and a little annoyed.

Zhang Zifeng didn't know why some of the players at Duke University became like this today. It's as if the players were the ones who got gastroenteritis, not the University of San Diego players.

Zhang Zifeng took the ball to the front court by himself and called Jefferson to block it.

Zhang Zifeng relied on Jefferson's blocking and found an opportunity to make a move near the mid-range.

Unexpectedly, Jefferson's blocking and dismantling effect was very bad, and he didn't block Terry at all. Kyle.

Terry. Kyle easily bypassed Jefferson and followed Zhang Zifeng.

When Zhang Zifeng jumped up, he found that Terry. Kyle and Thomas wrap themselves up before and after.

Zhang Zifeng's shooting was seriously affected, and the iron was struck!

At this time, Okafor completed a beautiful rebound above Shebad's head, and then directly in the box with a small hook, the ball drilled into the basket.

4:4 draw.

But when it turned around, San Diego State University was once again on the attack.

Terry. Kyle and Malik combined in the high post, and Terry. Kyle cut inside after the pick-and-roll, and Malik handed the ball to Terry, who cut inside into the air. Kyle.

Zhang Zifeng was blocked and couldn't keep up, Winslow was a step slower to make up the defense, and Terry. Kyle gets a dunk on the inside!

San Diego State's offense this time was beautiful, but what made Zhang Zifeng unbearable was that Winslow was not active at all.

Zhang Zifeng watched the opponent San Diego State University's offense flow smoothly, on the other hand, Duke University's side, Okafor was very active, but Jefferson and Winslow were very bad, they were not active in running, and they looked a little listless.

Zhang Zifeng was angry, he felt that his teammates were not serious about the game at all.

Although the defense of Duke University was not top-notch, at least the players were working hard and trying their best to reduce the opponent's shooting percentage. Instead of running inactively like now, the defense is also a beat slower.

If it weren't for the big reduction in the strength of San Diego State University, Zhang Zifeng believes that with the performance of Duke University in the first half, he would definitely lose by more than 20 points, instead of 37-26 at halftime, Duke University only trailed by 11 points.

Commentator Brin commented at halftime, "Duke was completely out of shape tonight, and they gave their opponents too many easy scoring opportunities. It was as if they suddenly couldn't play, there was no cooperation, no passion, no team spirit. Except for Zhang Zifeng and Okafor, the others seemed to have iron on the soles of their feet and couldn't run. If Duke University is still in this state in the second half, I have to say that they will repeat what they encountered last season this season and lose in an upset! ”

As soon as Zhang Zifeng walked into the locker room, he slammed the sports drink in his hand into the cabinet. "What kind of ball are you playing? Justis, you're not sleepwalking! Amiri: Did you hurt your foot? Quinn, you can't even pass the ball? What kind of ball are you playing, and the opponent can beat you like this with a single shot! ”

Winslow heard Zhang Zifeng's angry coaxing, and he was also furious. Slammed the door of the cabinet and shouted, "Aren't you very powerful?" You're so good, what else do you need us to do, you can do it all by yourself. The strongest scoring guard Jack! ”

Zhang Zifeng heard Winslow's sarcastic words, and just wanted to step forward and yell at him.

Old Coach K shouted majestically, "I want you all to sit down and think about what you're talking about." It's worse than losing, you all forgot what you worked so hard all the way for! ”

As soon as Lao K spoke out, he calmed everyone down, although they were still on fire, they didn't dare to speak again.

After touring the players, the old K said: "Jefferson, Winslow, Cook, you don't have to play in the second half. Vincelaw, Hellstone, Jones on! ”

At the beginning of the second half, after changing players, Duke University seemed to be a different team, and the players ran much more actively.

San Diego State University, which had a smooth offense in the first half, was also like a different person under the strict defense of Duke University, and the offense stumbled and was violated several times.

San Diego State went awry on offense, but Duke fought back.

Jones dribbled the ball across the half court and handed the ball to Zhang Zifeng on the outside.

This time Terry. Kyle posted it, but Zhang Zifeng didn't care too much about his defense.

He beckoned to Vinslaw. Vince Law came over to make a high-post block for Zhang Zifeng, Zhang Zifeng didn't waste such a good opportunity, before Thomas came up to make up for the defense, Zhang Zifeng made a three-point jumper!

Thomas didn't have time to defend, Zhang Zifeng had already thrown the ball to the basket!

Swish!

The ball went into the net with precision.

After Zhang Zifeng hit a three-pointer, they chased the score to 37:30!

In the next round, Zhang Zifeng and Okafor did a blocking and pick-and-roll cooperation, and after Zhang Zifeng broke through, he attracted the attention of the San Diego State University players.

Okafor took the opportunity to cut down at this time, and Zhang Zifeng passed the ball over with a blow!

Okafor got the ball, scored in the middle, and beat Shebald for a dunk.

Zhang Zifeng blew the horn of attack, and then they played a wave of 14-0 climax to overtake the score.

With 16 minutes and 24 seconds in the second half, Zhang Zifeng hit a three-pointer to make the score 45-65, and Duke University led by 20 points, completely ruining San Diego State's hope of turning the tables.

San Diego State University disarmed and surrendered.

At halftime, 50-68, Duke won.

In terms of statistics, Zhang Zifeng scored a game-high 23 points, plus 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks.

Okafor had a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Duke University defeated San Diego State University to advance to the Sweet 16, where they will face the University of Utah in the division semifinals.

The team won, but all the Duke players were not of high nature.

After hastily clapping his hands and thanking the fans, he went into the players' tunnel and left the field.

Back at Duke University, Lao K dismissed the other players and called Zhang Zifeng into his office alone, "What do you want, tea or coffee." ”

Zhang Zifeng sat down and said, "Does the coach also drink tea?" ”

Old K shrugged and said, "Very little, basically all coffee." ”

Zhang Zifeng said, "Then coffee!" ”

“ok！” The coach made two cups of coffee, one for Zhang Zifeng and one for himself.

Sitting in his chair, the coach held the cup and said, "Jack, you must have sensed that the atmosphere of the team has gone wrong during this time!" ”

Zhang Zifeng nodded and said, "Yes, coach, you have seen this game." They don't seem to have much motivation and are always not excited enough in the game! ”

"Do you know what caused this?" Old K asked.

Zhang Zifeng shook his head and said, "I don't know about the coach, I'm also very confused, I try to motivate them in the game." But it didn't work. ”

Lao K looked at Zhang Zifeng and said seriously, "Jack, you haven't found out where the root of the problem is?" The fundamental reason why the team has caused the atmosphere is you! ”

"Me?" Zhang Zifeng shouted in disbelief.