บท 72: The Dunk Heard 'Round UConn
USC's offensive possession!
Sticking to their strategy, Lian Dao continued to draw double-teams and then swiftly passed the ball to Gibson. This time, Vucevic worked hard to block Hashem, preventing him from pressing Gibson.
Unexpectedly, Jeff Adrien abandoned his coverage on Lian Dao and opted to retreat for defense.
Gibson wasted no time and immediately passed the ball back to Lian Dao, who quickly found DeMar sprinting into open space.
A Kobe-style mid-range jumper.
"Swoosh!"
22:13
This sequence of fluid passes showcased USC's exceptional teamwork and chemistry.
"Mike, can you believe this team is mostly freshmen?" Jeff marveled at their seamless execution and turned to Mike Breen for his thoughts.
Mike Brin shrugged, looking impressed. "Honestly, I wouldn't believe it either, but with their core freshmen trio playing like this, they're showing incredible maturity. If they stay together and don't enter the draft this year, they could dominate the NCAA championships in the coming years!"
Initially leaning towards supporting the University of Connecticut, Mike Breen couldn't help but admire USC's teamwork.
In response, Kemba Walker of the University of Connecticut countered with a three-pointer from outside after his teammate set a solid screen.
22:16
During this tense period, the scores remained tightly locked.
Lian Dao signaled for Gibson to set a pick-and-roll on the perimeter, then accelerated towards the basket for a layup.
"Slap!"
Hashim swatted Lian Dao's layup against the backboard, sending the University of Connecticut fans into a frenzy. They believed Hashim's block would frustrate Lian Dao.
But when they glanced back at Lian Dao, something seemed off.
His expression wasn't one of frustration; instead, it was a serious determination.
Gibson hesitated, sensing Lian Dao's shift in mindset. He knew Lian Dao was about to turn up the intensity.
The last time Gibson saw this look was during intense one-on-one drills in the offseason—an expression that meant trouble for any opponent.
In those moments, Gibson had learned a valuable lesson: never challenge someone as determined as Lian Dao unless you're equally determined.
It reminded him of NBA superstars who thrive against tough competition, like Jordan's resilient wins or Kobe Bryant's legendary performances in Los Angeles.
On the University of Connecticut's bench, towels waved wildly in celebration of Hashim's block.
After Hashim passed the ball to the point guard, he flexed his muscles in determination.
Expecting another challenge, the ball returned to Hashim.
Hashim received the ball from the point guard and looked set to showcase his dominance again. He attempted a flip-back jumper, but Lian Dao was ready this time. Timing his jump perfectly, Lian Dao executed a volleyball-style block.
"Slap!"
The ball soared like a fired shell, landing far into the opposite court.
Surprising everyone with a big block, just as he predicted!
Despite the cheers, the ball remained in USC's possession, and the opposition had 14 seconds left on the shot clock.
Kemba Walker got the ball and quickly fired a three-pointer that missed, but Hashim grabbed the offensive rebound and attempted a confident putback.
That's when Hashim encountered a familiar obstacle.
"Slap!"
Another rejection!
Lian Dao delivered two blocks within seconds, igniting USC's previously subdued fans into roaring excitement.
It was audacious: one block against me earns you two in return.
The atmosphere at Southern California surged to its peak after these back-to-back blocks.
Following his defensive plays, Lian Dao grabbed the ball with a quick second bounce.
UConn retreated swiftly, denying USC any fast break opportunities.
Daniel passed to DeMar in the mid-range and low post.
DeMar attempted a drive but found Hashim a formidable presence inside the paint.
Aware of Hashim's shot-blocking prowess, DeMar sought to pass to Lian Dao for a reset.
But as he scanned beyond the three-point line, Lian Dao wasn't there.
Instead, Lian Dao cut inside while Gibson kept Jerome at bay on the perimeter.
DeMar, perhaps overly reliant on Lian Dao's abilities or underestimating Hashim, lofted a pass towards the hoop.
It was a rough pass, but their partnership ensured they understood each other's game.
Lian Dao, anticipating the move like a magician, leaped up with his wingspan to snag the high pass and immediately went up for the dunk.
Yet, in a split second, Hashim surged forward, attempting to block Lian Dao's dunk!
UConn's crowd erupted, anticipating a momentum-swinging block from Hashim.
But it didn't turn out as expected.
"Boom!"
Instead of being blocked, Lian Dao powered through Hashim's challenge and slammed the ball through the hoop with force.
Hashim's attempt to contest the dunk resulted in a hard fall.
After struggling to rise twice, he stayed down.
"Whistle!"
And one!
The entire stadium of 80,000 fell silent instantly. Mouths hung open in disbelief, including those of Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy in the commentary booth.
Fortunately, the replay quickly appeared on the big screen, showing the incredible sequence. As Hashim moved to block the shot, Lian Dao summoned all his strength, lifting his right arm to evade Hashim's reach. Hashim's hand grazed Lian Dao's shoulder, but Lian Dao, enduring the pain, drove his chest into Hashim's body. Despite the force pushing him back, Lian Dao stabilized himself with explosive power from his waist and abdomen, and forcefully slammed the ball into the basket.
Hashim was knocked off his feet, flying two meters before crashing to the floor.
This play wasn't just a showcase of skill; it was a display of basketball IQ. Hashim, eager to retaliate after previous blocks, underestimated Lian Dao's cunning. Lian Dao seized the opportunity to dunk over Hashim, skillfully avoiding his block attempt mid-air.
To add insult to injury, Lian Dao drew the foul and completed the 2+1 play.
It was a gutsy move by Lian Dao, who became one of the few players in NCAA history to dunk over a center as tall as Hashim (221cm). The impact of seeing a 206cm player overpower a towering center was staggering for the audience.
No one expected Lian Dao to achieve such a feat against a center of Hashim's stature, breaking the unwritten rule of the University of Connecticut's no-fly zone.
As the replay concluded, attention turned to Hashim still lying on the ground. Concerned, University of Connecticut's staff quickly summoned the team doctor to assess the situation.
Given Lian Dao's history of causing a moderate concussion to Edwin Ubilles with a dunk, the medical team checked for any serious injuries. Thankfully, tests revealed no broken ribs, blackouts, or vomiting—indicating no major issues beyond the powerful impact that left Hashim winded.
Despite the relief, Hashim couldn't return to play in the first half. UConn's players assisted him back to the bench, leaving Coach Jim Calhoun with a headache over losing Hashim, a key setback for their team.
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