Arizona State University's ability to reach the Sweet Sixteen was not due to luck.
While their individual positions weren't outstanding, they were all above average, and with Harden's playmaking, their overall strength was naturally formidable.
With the support of the home crowd, UCLA started their first possession, still using their most familiar tactic, the Spain Pick and Roll.
Arizona State University had naturally studied their opponent's tactics, and their off-ball screen defense was quite good.
Kayce popped out to receive the ball but couldn't successfully shake off his defender, who was sticking very close.
However, this defense didn't put much pressure on Kayce. He drove to the basket with his right hand, then executed a sudden stop and pull-back near the free-throw line, directly going up for a jump shot.
"Swish!" The mid-range shot found its mark.
Actually, the defender wasn't out of position on this play, but Kayce's sudden stop and start created enough space for his shot.
His excellent wingspan prevented much interference on his shot; it was a simple, brutal display of raw talent.
The UCLA fans in attendance began to cheer for the team's first score.
"A very beautiful jump shot! Kayce used his physical advantage to get the shot off. His mid-range shooting percentage near the free-throw line is very high!" Reggie Miller immediately praised Kayce.
Arizona State University's tactics were primarily based on the pick and roll, which Harden was particularly good at.
Before the game, Coach Ben had instructed the UCLA players to switch on every pick and roll. UCLA's interior players weren't very tall, but their mobility was good, allowing them to defend out on the perimeter.
However, being able to defend out didn't mean they could stop Harden. After the pick and roll, Harden accelerated directly, leaning on his defender to drive to the basket and score with a layup.
UCLA's defense didn't go for steals; they just focused on bodying up Harden.
Collison brought the ball past half-court, passing it to Holiday. Kayce began running an 8-pattern using off-ball screens, and Holiday handed the ball off to Kayce.
Kayce immediately signaled for the No. 5 player to come set a screen. After a successful pick and roll, facing the opponent's big man, Kayce accelerated directly to the basket.
The moment the opponent's interior defender came over for help defense, Kayce passed to Holiday, who was cutting along the baseline for an easy two points.
After scoring, Holiday gave Kayce a gesture, indicating a beautiful pass!
"Efficient execution of the play! Kayce's passing shouldn't be overlooked; he delivered 10 assists to his teammates in the last game!" Smith began to jinx Kayce.
From the moment Harden touched the ball, Holiday was glued to him, a feeling that Harden found somewhat familiar.
"Why does this feel like facing Klay's defense?" Harden suddenly recalled his miserable high school games.
Constant physical contact, relentless body pressure, never going for an easy steal—this was Holiday's defensive style.
When Harden passed the ball, moved off-ball, and then received a handoff to initiate a pick and roll, the defender he faced became Kayce.
This was the effect of defensive communication. Kayce's loud shouts during the team's defense were to ensure everyone was on the same page defensively.
Facing his familiar opponent, Kayce forced Harden to his right hand.
Harden tried to break through to the left several times with crossovers, but Kayce saw through them all; they knew each other too well.
Finally, out of options, Harden drove to the right and attempted a floater, which was interfered with by Kayce's long arms, resulting in a missed shot. Kayce secured the rebound.
He quickly passed the ball to Collison, but Arizona State University's transition defense was very fast, forcing UCLA back into a half-court offense.
After continuous off-ball movement, the play didn't execute successfully. Kayce immediately received the ball on the perimeter and signaled Holiday to come set a screen.
The purpose of the screen was to switch Harden onto him. If you're going to give me physical contact on defense, I'll take every opportunity to wear you down on offense!
This was a strategy devised by Coach Ben before the game: when Harden's stamina declined, UCLA's full-court press would unleash its full power.
Facing Harden's defense, Kayce first faked a drive to the left with a simple crossover, then immediately pulled the ball back between his legs with his left hand, shifting Harden's center of gravity.
Then, with the ball in his right hand, after continuous between-the-legs dribbles, he executed a step-back and shot a three-pointer from beyond the arc.
"Swish!" The ball swished through the net.
The fans in attendance first let out an astonished "Oh!!!" at Kayce's crossover.
When he shook off Harden and made the step-back shot, the gasps turned into excited shouts.
"Ah!!!"
The UCLA fans screamed wildly; they loved plays like that.
"What a fantastic shot! Look at that series of moves. I think Harden's defense did its best! Kayce is truly outstanding!" Reggie Miller had stopped pretending; he was laying his cards on the table—he had always been a Kayce fan.
Harden looked at Kayce's familiar moves, his face slightly darkened, and the painful memories of their high school games resurfaced.
Do you know what I went through?
For three whole years, I never won once! Harden roared inwardly.
Perhaps Kayce had awakened Harden, because in the following plays, Harden began to drive and shoot from outside, while also frequently assisting his teammates.
On UCLA's side, Kayce, Collison, and Holiday took turns hounding Harden, constantly bodying him up and making it difficult for him to even receive the ball.
Arizona State University, relying on Harden's performance, kept the score close, while UCLA showcased the charm of team basketball.
Everyone on the team scored. Collison, Holiday, and Kayce could all handle the ball, and the opponent simply couldn't contain them.
Just like that, with two minutes left in the first half, the score was tied at 38-38.
Arizona State University called a timeout. Harden's playing time was a bit too much, and the bench players weren't effective after coming in, so Harden had to carry the load for longer.
"James, slow the pace down. There are only two minutes left until halftime. Just hold on a little longer!" The Head Coach quickly instructed his star player.
Harden was already breathing heavily. There was nothing he could do; the physical contact from the opponents was too much.
Collison was fine, but Kayce and Holiday were relentless, completely targeting his right hand, forcing him to make too many changes of direction to shake off the defense.
Combined with his extensive playing time in previous games, Harden's stamina had already begun to decline.
"That's it, boys! James Harden is almost broken. His stamina is starting to drop. Hold on, keep up the pressure!" Coach Ben shouted to everyone; he saw the light of victory.
Holiday continued to stick to Harden. Although Harden wanted to slow down the pace of the game, UCLA wouldn't allow it.
After a series of passes, Kayce shot an open three-pointer, which found its mark.
On the last possession of the first half, Harden was already somewhat fatigued, and Holiday was still guarding him closely.
At this point, Collison suddenly came over for a double team, forcing Harden to pass the ball.
Kayce saw the opportunity, successfully stole the ball, and sprinted full speed to the basket.
A wide-arcing windmill dunk sent the UCLA fans cheering once again.
"The first half ends. Both teams played well, but Arizona State University ran into trouble at the end, and Harden's stamina declined." Kenny Smith began to briefly review the defense Harden faced.
"UCLA has studied Harden thoroughly. They gave Harden enough physical contact and never went for easy steals. Harden will have an even harder time in the second half!" Reggie Miller also began to analyze the two teams' strategies, and appropriately jinxed UCLA again.
Halftime couldn't save Harden's stamina. After being constantly harassed by Kayce and Holiday, Harden's shooting percentage began to drop.
At the same time, other Arizona State University players also started committing turnovers, as UCLA's defensive rotations were too precise.
About 10 minutes into the second half, UCLA's offensive burst began.
Kayce faced Harden's defense, went for a direct post-up, backed him down twice, then spun around for a fade away.
"Swish!" An easy score. Harden's defense couldn't keep up anymore.
Kayce initiated a pick and roll from beyond the three-point line, drove directly to the basket on the left, and finished with a reverse layup.
"Bang! Swish!" It was a score with an extra free throw.
Facing Kayce's tight defense, and with his stamina declining, Harden reluctantly chose a mid-range step-back jump shot.
"Clank!" Another miss.
Collison brought the ball past half-court, initiated a pick and roll, and made a series of drives and dishes, leading to an open three-pointer from Holiday!
Arizona State University called a timeout; they really couldn't hold on anymore.
Sure enough, after the timeout, their offense still missed shots, and their defense completely failed to keep up with UCLA's pace, widening the score significantly.
Ultimately, UCLA defeated their opponent 72-60, successfully advancing to the Elite Eight!
Harden sat on the sidelines, utterly exhausted, feeling a bit broken inside.
Kayce, however, was joyfully accepting the cheers from the UCLA fans.
"Elite Eight! I wonder what achievement badges this game will yield. I'm so excited!"