Monroe wasn't really a strict defensive player in the restricted area. He wasn't the type of player like Mourning or Mutombo who had absolute dominance on the defensive end.
His defensive strength lay more in his long wingspan and excellent help defense.
Just like the block on Walker, it was after a physical contest with the opponent that Monroe managed to block the shot.
His ability to help defend guards and his talent that overwhelmed Oriakhi were the reasons why he became a fierce beast in the paint.
But if Georgetown University really let Monroe sit in the restricted area alone, then Walker wouldn't be afraid of facing him one-on-one.
Walker had plenty of experience playing against bigger players in his two years in the NCAA.
After Tang Tian finished speaking, Walker smiled. He was the team's core player, and naturally wanted to get back at Monroe after being blocked. After listening to Tang Tian's analysis, he was actually looking forward to Georgetown doing that in the second half.
The 15-minute break passed quickly, and the players from both teams returned to the court.
"The first half of the game was really unexpected. Georgetown took the absolute upper hand at the beginning, but UConn completely reversed the momentum after the timeout adjustment. I am now looking forward to Georgetown's adjustment in the second half," the commentator said excitedly before the game started.
Commentators are actually professional fans, and their emotions are also influenced by the excitement of the game.
"I think Monroe will definitely respond more. Although his performance in the first half had highlights, it was not all of him," the commentator continued.
Just then, the camera on the scene also focused on Monroe, his serious face full of killing intent.
The unfavorable situation of the team in the first half was obviously not what he wanted to see. The winner of this game would directly be the second in the league, and he would not give up easily.
A long whistle sounded from the sidelines, and the second half of the game continued.
UConn attacked first.
Sure enough, just like what Tang Tian and Walker said, Georgetown University made big adjustments on the defensive end.
Monroe sat in the paint alone, and the other four people spread directly outside the restricted area.
This was to prevent UConn from playing the outside three-point tactic like in the first half.
Walker was overjoyed when he saw this. If he could, he couldn't wait to hug Tang Tian's face and kiss him hard.
What a really accurate prediction!
After signaling his teammates to spread out and calling for Oriakhi's pick-and-roll, he dribbled straight inside.
An opportunity for an inside one-on-one against Monroe.
Monroe got into position, and Walker went straight for a crossover and accelerated for a layup.
Monroe reached out to block, but Walker's was completely a feint, directly using a pull-up to avoid the block and going for a reverse layup.
"Bang!"
Monroe's block hit the backboard, and Walker's reverse layup also hit the backboard and bounced into the net.
Walker scored a one-on-one basket as soon as the second half started.
After scoring, Walker roared and then raised his hands.
With this, he completely returned the block that Monroe gave him in the first half!
Monroe's face was very ugly.
In Georgetown University's offense, Monroe didn't play point forward at the free throw line either. He directly backed down Oriakhi to the basket and made a turnaround dunk.
Oriakhi tried his best to pull him down but failed, and even conceded a foul.
The scene was in an uproar, this was a real beast!
Monroe had a chance for an and-one.
"Bang!"
It was a bit of a pity that the extra free throw was missed, and Oriakhi protected the defensive rebound.
Walker dribbled the ball to the frontcourt.
At this time, the coach of Georgetown University was shouting on the sidelines, their defensive formation had changed again.
A 3-2 zone defense, this was a compromise strategy, which both prevented UConn's three-pointers and Walker's breakthroughs.
Tang Tian picked up the screen, Walker dribbled and broke through, and then made an emergency stop jump shot at the high post.
"Swish!"
The shot went in!
His touch was ice cold at the beginning, but he had completely found it in the second half. The defensive strength of the 3-2 zone defense was not enough in the mid-range, which gave him an easy opportunity to score.
The coach of Georgetown University rubbed his face at this time.
The same lineup, but UConn was obviously much stronger than the last time they played against each other. Their previous eight-game winning streak was indeed very valuable.
Walker scored repeatedly on UConn's side, and Monroe didn't dare to show weakness. He turned around to fight Oriakhi, and then made a turnaround hook shot to the basket.
"Bang!"
The ball hit the backboard and then bounced into the net, and he continued to help Georgetown University to keep the score close.
The point difference always fluctuated at 8 points, and the two sides fell into a stalemate.
"Dun dun!"
"Come on! Connecticut!"
The audience at the scene then began to cheer for the home team under the leadership of the DJ.
The two commentators also stared at the court, in this kind of anxious situation, it depended on who could break the deadlock first.
In UConn's offense, Walker continued to break through with the ball, but this time the help defense from the weak side came very quickly.
Walker was double-teamed as soon as he broke through to the high post.
Georgetown University was starting to limit Walker's scoring, but they didn't notice at all that Tang Tian had already reached the baseline with Smith's pick-and-roll.
Walker was experienced. The moment he saw the double team, he knew that there must be an open spot. When he saw Tang Tian, he flicked his hand and passed it directly.
Tang Tian had an open opportunity to catch the ball, and he shot decisively.
The ball drew a high arc in the air and fell straight towards the basket under the gaze of the audience.
"Swish!"
Another clean swish!
The whistles and cheers of the fans at the scene burst out instantly.
The sound of this three-pointer going into the net was really comfortable to listen to!
After Tang Tian scored, he also raised his hand and made a three-point gesture, which ushered in even louder cheers from the scene.
Georgetown University's strength was Monroe. He didn't need to defend the opponent's core player the entire game like in previous games, which made him consume much less energy on the defensive end.
He left the energy on the offensive end, and his open three-pointers were accurate.
The point difference was widened to 11 points.
In Georgetown University's offense, Monroe showed off his ability to set up plays this time after drawing the defense. He made a ground pass to a cutting teammate, who easily scored a layup.
This was a Princeton offense that was a hallmark of the team.
The point difference returned to single digits again.
UConn turned around and continued to attack Walker. Georgetown University was forced to help defend, and Walker passed the ball to Lamb on the outside.
Lamb took the ball and faked a shot to shake off the defense, rushed to the mid-range position to attract the opponent's power forward to double-team, and then flicked the ball to Tang Tian at the baseline.
Different tactics, the same position, the same opportunity.
Tang Tian caught the ball and the ball almost drew the same arc.
This time, the fans couldn't help but burst out with excitement on their faces before the ball even went in.
The trajectory of this ball looked very right!
"Swish!"
The ball went through the net, a very pleasant sound of entering the net.
Tang Tian's fourth three-point attempt in the game, and it went in!
Arrows rained down.