The principle that Ollie set was to run until he couldn't run anymore, so both of them were still persevering.

By the 12th set, Walker really couldn't hold on any longer, standing there gritting his teeth and gasping for breath.

Tang Tian also stopped after completing the 13th set. Although he was also panting, his condition seemed slightly better than Walker's.

Calhoun nodded in satisfaction after seeing this.

Walker went without saying; his physical fitness had always been the best on the team.

It was Tang Tian's progress that was a bit unexpected.

Defense was a particularly physically demanding thing, especially since Tang Tian basically had to guard the opponent's star player every night, so the drain was naturally even greater.

Tang Tian's improved physical fitness was the best possible news for UConn.

"Tang, not bad," Walker couldn't help but reach out and pat Tang Tian on the shoulder after he recovered.

Tang Tian smiled.

Progress was a continuous thing. Ever since he transmigrated, he had been training his physical fitness according to the scientific methods he used in his previous life. In addition, with the nutritional meals that Calhoun had applied for, it had finally had an effect after more than half a year.

Although there was still a gap between him and his goal, Tony Allen, it could be considered to have met expectations.

"Our first opponent after Christmas is Providence College. They are currently ranked second in the Big East Conference. This will be a very difficult game, but I hope all of you can bring 100% of your form and win the game," Calhoun said to the players after training.

For ordinary people, major holidays like this were a time for celebration, but for teams, they were a sensitive period.

Take the NBA All-Star Game, for example. It was just a weekend, but many teams' form before and after it was like two completely different teams.

In other words, these holidays could easily become a watershed moment for a team's performance.

UConn had been in excellent form before Christmas with a seven-game winning streak, but no one could guarantee that they wouldn't turn into a losing streak after Christmas.

What's more, they were facing a strong opponent as soon as they came back from Christmas.

After Calhoun finished speaking, he pulled out the tactical board and began explaining the tactical ideas for the next game.

Providence College was not a traditional powerhouse. Their sudden rise this season was mainly due to their run-and-gun style of play and their star core player, MarShon Brooks, who was known as "Little Kobe."

Brooks had a rich arsenal of offensive weapons, averaging 26.6 points per game so far this season. In a previous game against Notre Dame, he exploded for 52 points, tying the school record, and was considered a player with a chance to compete for the John R. Wooden Award.

In the entire Big East Conference, only Walker could be considered his equal.

But if you really had to calculate it, as a pure shooting guard, his personal scoring ability was even stronger than Walker's.

The two teams had played each other once at the beginning of the season. Tang Tian didn't manage to contain him at the time, and the latter exploded for 39 points to help Providence College ultimately win the game.

That game also happened to be the game before UConn started their seven-game winning streak.

Now that they were facing each other again, if they lost, it would be equivalent to ending UConn's seven-game winning streak again.

"Providence College's offensive rhythm is very fast. What we need to do is suppress their offensive rhythm. Tang, Brooks is up to you. You must not let him get going. He has a strong scoring ability, but his offensive choices are average. As long as you suppress him, Providence College's offense will be half-crippled."

"Understood," Tang Tian nodded.

The reason why he didn't defend Brooks well before was more because his stamina couldn't keep up in the second half. Now that his stamina was up, he naturally had more confidence.

After two days of training, UConn sat at home to face the Providence College Friars.

During the holidays, there were only more fans coming to the game, not less. The team's seven-game winning streak before Christmas had given them hope of recreating their former glory, and their support for the team was greater than ever.

Because Christmas had just passed not long ago, some fans were still wearing Christmas clothes, adding some festive atmosphere to the game.

Before the game started, the players from both teams were on the court doing their final warm-up training before the game.

Providence College's MarShon Brooks was particularly eye-catching.

He was slender, 1.96 meters tall and 91 kilograms, a standard shooting guard physique.

During the pre-game warm-up, Brooks's few jump shot movements were very similar to Kobe's, which also attracted the attention of many spectators.

After warming up for half the time, Brooks sat on the sidelines.

At this time, the reporter on the scene seized the opportunity and went straight up to interview him.

"Hey, MarShon, how are you feeling today?"

Brooks didn't resist when he saw the reporter coming over, and stood up with a smile.

"Very good," Brooks said.

"We all know that the last time the two teams played was at Providence College. This time it's an away game. Are you confident that you can perform as well as you did in the last game?" the reporter asked.

"Of course, as long as I get into the zone, it's the same wherever I play," Brooks said easily.

"Get another 39 points?" the reporter asked with a smile.

"Yes, or even more points. I know Connecticut is in very good shape right now. I have to do that to win them," Brooks nodded.

"It seems you are very confident in yourself."

"Of course, I have always been like this, playing with confidence," Brooks was very confident.

"Yes, playing with confidence, like Kobe."

Brooks laughed when he heard this.

"We all know that you now have the title of 'Little Kobe'. What do you think of this title?" the reporter asked.

"I like it. Kobe is a great player. He has extremely high talent and is very hardworking. He is my idol. I am very honored to be compared to him." When he mentioned Kobe, Brooks's words were full of respect.

"But you will still meet Tang," the reporter said with a smile.

Brooks also smiled when he heard this, but it was not the same smile as when he talked about Kobe before. It was a dismissive smile.

"Will you be bothered? We all know that Tang has defended many players, even players of Klay Thompson's level," the reporter asked.

"But he didn't defend me, did he?" Brooks asked back.

"Yes, yes," the reporter nodded with a smile.

"He didn't defend me last time, and it will be the same this time," Brooks was indeed "Little Kobe." When talking about his opponent, his confidence was overflowing.

"Then, good luck," the reporter finally reached out and shook hands with Brooks.

Brooks nodded. When the reporter left, he turned his head and glanced at the opposite half, but he wasn't looking at Tang Tian, but Walker.

That was the player he wanted to be an opponent to.