UCLA made it to the finals relying on their perimeter pressure defense, with Kayce, Holiday, and Collison forming the most crucial first line of defense.
However, after a series of high-intensity games, with the semi-finals and finals separated by only one day, Collison's stamina was already failing him.
During UCLA's first possession, Kayce made a gesture, signaling everyone to slow down the pace, and at the same time, directed Holiday to bring the ball up, trying to relieve Collison.
Holiday's stamina was not an issue; he had excellent physical conditioning, and playing point guard was his strongest position.
UCLA's big men all moved up to the perimeter again. After Kayce received the ball via a hand-off, he signaled his interior teammates to set a screen. Facing Hansbrough's defense, Kayce immediately accelerated and drove to his right.
North Carolina's rotation was very quick, with help defense arriving immediately. But Kayce suddenly stepped back from Hansbrough, executed a stop-and-go fake, got his defender to bite, and then leaned in for a mid-range shot.
"Swish!" Two points, plus an extra free throw.
Standing at the free-throw line, Kayce took a deep breath and calmly sank the free throw.
"Kayce has increased his aggressiveness. North Carolina should double-team him earlier. Currently, his mid-range jump shot percentage is very high."
Kenny Smith began offering advice to North Carolina.
After making the free throw, Kayce signaled Holiday to guard Lawson, allowing Collison to rest a bit more on the court.
But North Carolina had many offensive options. After a series of hand-offs, Ellington, facing his defender, suddenly shot from the perimeter.
"Swish!" Nothing but net, three points made.
This was also characteristic of North Carolina; they had many ball-handlers. Ellington could shoot or pass after a screen, making it difficult for UCLA's defenders to contain him.
On their next possession, Kayce received the ball in the low post and was immediately double-teamed. After passing the ball to Holiday on the perimeter, a series of quick passes led to Collison taking an open three-pointer.
"Clang!" It was a bit short, hitting the front rim, and Hansbrough collected the rebound.
Lawson received the ball and immediately initiated a fast break. Fortunately, Holiday stayed close to him, preventing a direct attack on the basket, but after a screen, Hansbrough was found again.
Facing UCLA's interior defense, Hansbrough received the ball, backed down twice, and then hit a small hook shot, which went in cleanly.
"UCLA is in a bit of trouble early on. Their defense isn't creating effective pressure, allowing Hansbrough to score easily in the paint."
Reggie Miller had already noticed the stamina difference between the two teams. North Carolina had dominated their way to the finals, and their starters were well-rested, so their stamina advantage was now evident.
Kayce loudly signaled his teammates, "No problem, don't rush, be patient, stay patient."
After Holiday dribbled past half-court, he signaled for a Spain pick-and-roll. As Kayce popped out after a screen from an interior player, he drew the attention of most defenders. At that moment, he passed directly to a teammate under the basket.
"Swish!" A layup under the basket was made. This was the advantage of a tall guard.
"That's it, patience, protect the rebounds!" Kayce shouted loudly while transitioning back to defense, signaling his teammates to stay composed.
North Carolina was playing with great precision. After noticing Collison's stamina issues, they continued to wear him down on offense, passing the ball very patiently. This time, Hansbrough found an open Danny Green.
"Swish!" Another three points, and the North Carolina fans in the arena began to cheer loudly.
Coach Ben called a timeout. He knew that if Collison continued to play like this, his stamina wouldn't last until the second half. He had to make a substitution earlier.
"You're playing well, guys, stay patient, there's still a lot of game left. Collison, you go rest for now; we'll need you in the second half."
Collison was breathing heavily, indicating he was fine, but this wasn't the time to be stubborn. His legs felt heavy, and he couldn't keep up with the opponent.
"Kayce, attack more. Holiday, don't run with them. We need to be efficient; slow down the pace. Keep the defense aggressive. We'll accept two-point scores in the paint; don't double-team Hansbrough."
Kayce knew Coach Ben was afraid that if the opponent started hitting three-pointers, they would be swept away in a single run, as North Carolina's perimeter shooting was very accurate.
Holiday patiently orchestrated the team's offense, constantly driving and dishing, but Hansbrough's defensive positioning was excellent, and there were no good shooting opportunities.
With 10 seconds left on the shot clock, Kayce successfully received the ball in the low post and, facing Danny Green's defense, immediately turned around for a fadeaway.
"Swish!" A clean, crisp shot. With that degree of lean and Kayce's excellent wingspan, Danny Green was helpless.
The [Hot Zone Hunter] badge helped Kayce create better shooting space.
After the substitution, UCLA became a dual-core team. Although they had fewer offensive options, their defensive efficiency improved, and their perimeter rotations regained their pressure.
However, when North Carolina fed the ball into the paint, Hansbrough seized every opportunity, using a post-up and a small hook shot, which simply couldn't be defended.
Kayce started to reduce his ball-handling, focusing more on low-post offense, and at the same time, speeding up his ball-handling rhythm. He had practically 'taped down' the pass button.
Facing Danny Green's defense again, he simply used a triple threat and then pulled up for a jump shot.
"Swish!" Even with a hand in his face, it was useless; two points made.
From receiving the ball to shooting, the entire process was very quick. Kayce had already released the ball before the help defender was halfway there, leaving Danny Green a bit frustrated.
How was he supposed to defend that? He really gave it his all.
After 15 minutes of the first half, the score was 24-20, with UCLA trailing. North Carolina called a timeout; they needed to re-strategize their defense.
"Don't let Li receive the ball easily in the low post. Try to push him out. Once he gets the ball beyond the three-point line, double-team him immediately to force him to pass, and make other players take the shots."
North Carolina's Coach explained the new defensive strategy to his players. They wanted to build a larger lead by the end of the first half.
The timeout certainly worked. After Hansbrough scored again on offense, North Carolina intensified their defense on Kayce's reception. A series of screens failed to help Kayce get the ball better in the low post.
Finally, he was forced to receive the ball outside the three-point line and was immediately double-teamed. Kayce passed to the supporting Holiday, who then passed to an open teammate for a three-point shot.
"Clang!" It clanked off the rim. Kayce immediately shouted, "Good shot! Defense! Protect the rebound!"
Basketball is ultimately a five-person game. At this point, what was needed was to stick to the game plan, trust teammates to make shots, and if they missed, everyone had to be on the same page, immediately getting back on defense to prevent transition opportunities.
Ellington initiated a pick-and-roll with the ball, and again, shot a contested jump shot from beyond the three-point line.
"Swish!" Three points made, and Ellington pounded his chest in a roar.
"Ellington is hot today! He's already made several difficult three-pointers like that. UCLA needs to contain him!" Reggie Miller exclaimed loudly upon seeing such a shot.
UCLA attacked again. Kayce quickly popped out to receive the ball. At the moment the opponent's defense converged, he skillfully weaved through, drove into the paint, and facing the help defender, immediately dished the ball to a teammate in the corner.
"Swish!" This time, the open three-pointer went in. Kayce immediately signaled a good shot and called for everyone to get back on defense.
North Carolina's Coach was very displeased with this play and began loudly calling for his players to increase their physical aggression. UCLA also gave it their all.
In the last two minutes of the first half, both teams were in foul trouble and started going to the free-throw line. Thus, the first half ended 31-25, with UCLA trailing by six points.
"I liked the last two minutes of the game; it was a collision of muscles. North Carolina didn't capitalize on the opportunity to pull away, which is good for UCLA." Kenny Smith was enjoying the spectacle.
"Both teams expended a lot of energy in the first half, and their shooting percentages are starting to drop. UCLA will use Collison again in the second half; he's had plenty of rest."
Reggie Miller breathed a sigh of relief. If the point differential was too large, the substitutions would have been meaningless.
Kayce didn't expend much energy in the first half. His newly upgraded silver [Hot Zone Hunter] badge played a role, reducing some of his physical exertion on offense.
"I'll have to fight hard in the second half, hehe. North Carolina's stamina has also dropped quite a bit. The real show is just beginning!" Kayce thought to himself, walking through the player tunnel, a fierce determination in his heart.