NBA : Formidable Center

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TJ Ford's performance in today's NCAA Final Four game was commendable. Against the relatively unknown backcourt of the North Carolina Wolfpack, he displayed his signature flashy playstyle, weaving through defenders and dishing out assists, embodying the essence of a star point guard.

By halftime, Ford had already racked up an impressive 12 points and 5 assists, giving the Texas Longhorns a narrow lead.

Coach Herb Sendek's pre-game strategy for the Wolfpack—to focus on neutralizing Ford's penetration—had failed to materialize. North Carolina's backcourt struggled to keep up with the agile and elusive Ford. Even Julius Hodge, the Wolfpack's leading guard, known more for his offensive prowess than defense, found himself outmatched.

Faced with such a dynamic opponent, the Wolfpack's defensive deficiencies were laid bare. So, as the second half began, Coach Sendek shifted tactics, prioritizing offense over defense.

### **Exploiting the Height Advantage**

Through his halftime observations, Coach Sendek identified a glaring weakness in the Longhorns' defense—their lack of interior height. The average height of Texas' frontcourt duo barely reached 6'8" (205 cm), a clear disadvantage against North Carolina's towering presence.

By strategically moving the ball to the weak side and feeding it to Wang Song in the post, the Wolfpack consistently created mismatches. With his dominant low-post game, Wang dismantled Texas' defense, forcing double-teams and opening up the perimeter for his teammates.

Even when the Longhorns tried to double-team Wang, his court vision and precision passing left them scrambling. His quick decisions frequently led to open shots for his teammates, who capitalized on the opportunities.

### **Clamping Down on Ford**

To counter Ford's relentless drives, Coach Sendek instructed his team to tighten their defense in the paint, sacrificing some perimeter coverage. By clogging the lane and daring Ford to shoot from deep, they effectively neutralized his strength. With a season-long three-point shooting percentage of just 27%, Ford's jumpers were a gamble at best.

This strategic adjustment turned the tide in the second half. The Wolfpack began dictating the pace, and Wang Song's dominance in the paint became the centerpiece of their resurgence.

### **A Nightmare for Texas' Frontcourt**

The Longhorns' frontcourt players, James Thomas and Brian Boddicker, were utterly overwhelmed by Wang's physicality and skill. Despite their best efforts, they couldn't contain his rebounding, shot-blocking, or scoring.

Even Ford, known for his court vision, couldn't help but marvel at Wang's ability to orchestrate the offense from the post. His combination of size, strength, and basketball IQ was unlike anything the Longhorns had encountered.

Desperate to stop the bleeding, Texas' coach benched Thomas and Boddicker, opting for taller substitutes. However, the slower foot speed of the replacements created new vulnerabilities. Whenever they overcommitted on defense, Wang exploited their sluggishness, either by finding open teammates or securing prime rebounding positions.

### **A Coach's Desperation**

As the game slipped further out of reach, the Longhorns' coach grew increasingly frustrated. In a last-ditch effort, he ordered his players to focus solely on shutting down Wang, even at the expense of leaving the perimeter wide open.

For Wang, this was a gift. The increased defensive pressure only allowed him to rack up more assists, rebounds, and scoring opportunities. The constant notifications of "Steady Play Experience +100" in his mind were proof of his dominance.

By the time the final buzzer sounded, the Wolfpack had secured a decisive 96–78 victory, their highest-scoring game of the tournament. The win also guaranteed them a spot in the NCAA Championship game.

### **Game Highlights**

- **TJ Ford:** Despite his stellar individual performance with 28 points, Ford couldn't carry the Longhorns to victory. His lack of support from the frontcourt proved costly.

- **Julius Hodge:** The Wolfpack guard led his team with 21 points, showcasing his offensive prowess when it mattered most.

- **Wang Song:** Though targeted by the Longhorns' defense, Wang still managed to shine. With 15 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 blocks, he narrowly missed a triple-double. His contributions in the paint and his ability to elevate his teammates were instrumental in the win.

### **Post-Game Reflection**

The Longhorns' coach was left to rue his team's shortcomings. Their inability to counter Wang's dominance highlighted their lack of depth and adaptability. For Wang, this game marked another milestone in his NCAA journey, solidifying his reputation as one of the most well-rounded players in the league.

As the Wolfpack celebrated their victory, all eyes turned to the upcoming championship game, where they would face their toughest challenge yet.

Check out my P@treon for advance chapter on [email protected]/Twilight_scribe1