The USC Comeback Begins

USC didn't have a fast break opportunity this time around. Marcus Simmons then stabilized the ball from the outside, and then passed it to Lian Dao who was running over.

After Lian Dao received the ball, he pulled out Carroll directly outside the three-point line then tried to shoot.

"Don't even think about it," Carroll roared angrily, jumping up to block, but found that his fingers only reached Lian Dao's wrist.

Moreover, after Lian Dao shot a three-pointer, his arm happened to touch Carroll's palm.

"Drip," the referee's whistle sounded.

But then: "Swish," the three-pointer went in, and it was a 3+1.

"Come on!" Captain Gibson was a little excited, and came directly to pat Lian Dao's shoulder with an excited expression on his face.

Carroll was very disappointed and couldn't believe that he had been beaten.

Lian Dao stood at the free throw line, took a deep breath, and bounced the ball a few times to adjust his state. He shot.

"Swish."

Despite his inconsistent mid-range shots, his free throws were solid since they allowed for more control and fewer disturbances.

35:42.

USC had clawed back 9 points within one and a half minutes of the second half, putting a 9-0 run on the board. The opposing coach couldn't sit still and called a timeout.

Mike Anderson, the head coach of the Missouri Tigers, was yelling at his players. All the Missouri players lowered their heads, too frightened to speak, looking like wilted eggplants beaten by frost.

In contrast, Tim was smiling and patting the shoulders of the off-field players. When he got to Lian Dao, he gave him a light pat on the shoulder in approval.

"Good job, Sickle. You did a great job."

Immediately afterwards, he turned his head and exhorted the team members.

"The game is not over yet. Although we are catching up to the score, we are still behind. Don't relax. Next, we will play pick-and-roll tactics. Sickle, next time you have a chance, take a shot. If not, pass the ball and then play the pick-and-roll tactics..."

With the tactics arranged, the timeout ended.

"Come on, boys, let's keep the victory at USC."

Tim closed the tactical board and served a bowl of motivational chicken soup for all the players. The team responded with nods and determined expressions, ready to get back on the court and continue their comeback.

After returning from the timeout, the offense of the Missouri Tigers was much more orderly, and Carroll no longer chose to go at it alone. Seeing that he couldn't break through Lian Dao's strict defense, Carroll decisively called forward Matt Lawrence to step forward for a pick-and-roll. Matt Lawrence's pick-and-roll quality was still very high, and Lian Dao found it difficult to follow in Carroll's footsteps.

Carroll went straight to the basket and aimed for a layup. Suddenly, a powerful hand fixed the basketball on the backboard. It was Taj Gibson. Gibson's help defense was perfectly timed. His rich experience allowed him to anticipate Carroll's intentions.

If Lian Dao was the core of USC's perimeter defense, then Gibson was the gatekeeper of their interior defense. In the NCAA arena, his defensive quality was top-notch. Had he not been caught off guard in the first half, the score wouldn't have gotten so high. Now that he was back to his senses, his role was crucial.

In his previous life, Gibson was drafted after the end of this season, selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 26th pick in the first round. In Lian Dao's view, Gibson's strength in this draft should have definitely placed him in the top 10. Many NBA teams underestimated Gibson, thinking he was a senior with no potential left to tap into, which led ESPN and other experts to rank him lower in the draft.

Contrary to the experts' predictions, Gibson played 82 games in his rookie season, including 70 starts, averaging 8.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, with a shooting percentage of 49.4%. His defensive enthusiasm and vitality made him a great addition to the Bulls' paint. His rookie season stats demonstrated that Gibson wasn't just an immediate contributor but also an excellent interior defensive player.

After receiving the block, Gibson passed the ball directly to Lian Dao. Without stopping the ball, Lian Dao passed it to Marcus Simmons, who was speeding down the court for a quick layup. Inspired by DeRozan's earlier easy baskets, Simmons had become more active and was always ready for a defensive counterattack.

Simmons' confidence in his teammates was well-placed. He knew that as long as he ran fast, the ball would be delivered accurately to his hands.

In the next round, Carroll took a shot from the outside. To avoid Lian Dao's long arms, he shot hastily, and the ball hit the front of the basket. Keith Wilkinson easily grabbed the rebound. Though Wilkinson wasn't as talented as Lian Dao or DeRozan, his 216cm height and 115kg weight gave him a solid advantage in rebounding in the NCAA. His movement might be slow, and his jumping ability limited, but he was effective in his role.

Next, Lian Dao used Gibson's pick-and-roll to get an open look from the three-point line. He took the shot and nailed it.

The score was now 40:42, just two points away from tying the game.

But then, JT Tiller's pass to Carroll on the opposite side was intercepted by Lian Dao, who saw through the play and reached out to steal it.

Lian Dao, now outside the three-point line, faced a defense that no longer dared to challenge him one-on-one. Missouri's head coach, Mike Anderson, shouted from the sidelines, instructing his team to double-team Lian Dao.

Before the defense could fully collapse on him, Lian Dao called for a pick-and-roll with Gibson, making a quick move to the low post. As Matt Lawrence hurried to defend, Lian Dao executed a perfect between-the-legs pass, catching the defense off guard. The basketball found its way to Gibson, who had cut inside after the pick-and-roll. Keith Wilkinson held his ground, boxing out Leo Lyons under the basket, leaving Gibson with a clear path to the rim.

Gibson took off and threw down a powerful dunk, causing the hoop to reverberate.

This play sent USC's female fans into a frenzy, their cheers and winks directed at Lian Dao, who had orchestrated the spectacular play.

"Oh wow, how did he make that pass? It's incredible," commentator Smith exclaimed, astonished by Lian Dao's vision.

"This is a genius-level sense of assists. His court insight is definitely at the NBA level. He can clearly perceive the movement of his teammates. This kid's basketball intelligence is amazing. I like this kid, Smith," Haskell added excitedly, expressing his admiration for Lian Dao.

A man in glasses, holding a notebook in the middle of the auditorium, also stood up after witnessing the pass. Although he had seen Lian Dao's passing skills before, this particular pass showcased a higher level of playmaking ability. He wrote in his notebook: "Has excellent vision, court insight, and outstanding passing ability." He added these notes to previous observations: "Excellent lower body strength; amazing range of three-pointers, high shooting percentage."

The Missouri Tigers players looked demoralized, as if their efforts were futile against Lian Dao's prowess. This realization of their opponent's superior strength left them feeling defeated.

Head coach Mike Anderson shook his head in frustration. He knew how to deploy defensive strategies, but facing a player who combined excellent shooting, passing, and a strong supporting cast left him at a loss. It reminded him of an NBA saying: "If tactics were all that mattered, why would you need superstars?"

With the score now tied at 42:42, the momentum had clearly shifted in favor of USC.