"The Kentucky Wildcats made a lineup adjustment at the start of the second half, but they still chose to let Jinwoo start!"
"Coach Calipari rested Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA), seemingly wanting Alexander to seal the game in the final moments!"
"\epsilon=(´ο｀*))) Alas, Coach Calipari ultimately chose to give Jinwoo the initial heavy lifting, intending for Alexander to become the super Hero to decide the final game's suspense!"
Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal on the commentary stand were talking endlessly.
In their opinion, both Jinwoo and Alexander were extremely fatigued.
But at this critical juncture, Coach Calipari chose to let Jinwoo go first, undoubtedly intending for Alexander to finish the game later.
Jinwoo, who led his team to defeat Deandre Ayton and Trae Young, two top draft prospects, ultimately failed to become the sole protagonist for the end game.
"This choice is simply too poor!"
Even Villanova University's Coach Jay Wright was somewhat helpless regarding Coach Calipari's tactical arrangements.
Anyone could see that the beginning of the second half would be Villanova University's moment to exert pressure.
Letting Jinwoo face Villanova University's onslaught alone?
This could very likely affect Jinwoo's individual performance.
Once his state is imbalanced, then there will be no suspense in today's game!
Since that was the case, Coach Wright naturally wouldn't hold back.
Villanova University sent out its strongest lineup at the start of the second half!
They arranged for the team's super sub scorer, Donte DiVincenzo, to start, replacing the team's center, Omari Spellman!
The Villanova University five had prepared to lead the team to overtake the score and secure the victory!
The second half began, and the Kentucky Wildcats attacked first.
The substitute point guard who replaced Alexander brought the ball across half court and immediately passed it to Jarred Vanderbilt (Vanderbilt).
At the same time, Jinwoo on the wing used a teammate's screen to quickly shake off Mikal Bridges' pursuit and called for the ball!
The Kentucky Wildcats' tactical system was to create excellent scoring opportunities for Jinwoo on offense and let him finish.
"Swish!"
Jinwoo, who received the basketball, did not disappoint his teammates. From beyond the three-point line on the left, he shot with precision, and the basketball steadily swished through the net!
42:47!
The Kentucky Wildcats extended their lead to five points!
"Jinwoo still looks full of vigor; Villanova University's strangling tactics against him in the first half seem to have failed!"
"It's impossible for there to be no fatigue; don't forget the second half has just begun!"
Offense and defense switched, Villanova University's offensive possession.
At the top of the arc, DiVincenzo used Eric Paschall's screen to shake off his defender, drove with the ball to near the free-throw line, and then rose for a pull-up jump shot from mid-range!
With the unstoppable screen-and-roll combined with DiVincenzo's excellent touch today, after this shot was released, the Villanova University fans on the sidelines had already raised their hands, starting their premature celebration.
"Bang!"
However, just as they waited for the basketball to rocket into the net!
A ghostly figure emerged from the wing, touched the basketball before it reached its highest point, and swatted the ball away with a huge block!
The basketball was collected by the Kentucky Wildcats' point guard, who then passed it to Vanderbilt.
"Whoosh!"
Vanderbilt, without stopping the ball, swung his powerful arm the moment he touched it, slamming the ball fiercely towards the frontcourt!
"Bang!"
The basketball traced a beautiful arc in the air, perfectly landing in the hands of Jinwoo, who had already sprinted to the frontcourt.
With the basketball in hand, Jinwoo didn't hesitate, taking two big steps to attack the frontcourt, then, just inside the free-throw line, he soared for a one-handed tomahawk dunk!
"Woohoo!!"
"Jarred Vanderbilt actually delivered a quarterback-style long pass across most of the court!"
"Don't overlook Jinwoo's block in this possession; he blocked DiVincenzo's sure-fire mid-range jump shot!"
42:49!
The difference came to 7 points!
Turning back, DiVincenzo was somewhat hesitant due to Jinwoo's monstrous block, only able to pass the ball back to Jalen Brunson!
"Clang!"
Unfortunately, at this stage in his college career, his three-point shot wasn't that accurate.
The basketball hit the front rim and missed.
The rebound was firmly secured by Vanderbilt, and Coach Calipari also gestured from the sidelines, signaling the team to slow down the pace and set up for a half-court offense!
In the half-court possession, Jinwoo's isolation play once again became the focus of the big screen!
"Thump!"
"Thump!"
Jinwoo, with the ball at the top of the arc, changed direction back and forth. His unadorned dribbling skills were practical and concise, swaying left and right, making Bridges in front of him waver back and forth.
When his opponent lost his balance, Jinwoo suddenly darted inwards, instantly reaching within the free-throw line!
Paschall in the paint gritted his teeth and rushed over immediately, intending to firmly pin him outside the restricted area.
However, Jinwoo merely paused, backed into his defender, and then, with a large-scale spin, slipped into the basket.
"Shoot!"
Paschall cursed, pushing forward. Although he had been posterized by Jinwoo in the first half and become a background figure, he still rushed forward fearlessly.
With little time left on the shot clock, Jinwoo had no time to pass and could only go for it himself!
So, with a push, his feet gave a huge thrusting force to the floor.
The floor returned this immense force to him, propelling him high into the air.
He ascended like a rocket, quickly climbing, and as he collided with Paschall in mid-air, the basketball slipped through his fingertips and swished into the net!
"Swish!"
Although he was knocked to the ground, seeing the basketball swish into the net, Jinwoo immediately clenched his fist and vigorously pumped it, brimming with excitement.
"Beep!"
Coach Wright on the sidelines also called a timeout after this possession ended.
Originally, the start of the second half was supposed to be Villanova University's time to counterattack and pull away.
But now, not only had the deficit not been reversed, but it had been further extended by the opponent.
This was not the outcome Coach Wright wanted to see!
"From now on, whenever Jinwoo gets the ball on offense, all of you get up there and double-team him!"
As the players returned to the bench, Coach Wright immediately laid out the strategy: "We must shut down Jinwoo on defense. As long as he has the ball, there must be two defenders in front of him!"
Jinwoo's performance far exceeded Coach Wright's expectations. Unlimited switching clearly had no effect on him, so he could only resort to a double-team strategy against Jinwoo!
After the timeout, Villanova University finally ended its scoring drought through team play.
When the Kentucky Wildcats advanced the ball to half-court, the fans in the Alamodome instantly erupted in an uproar.
"Villanova University has once again changed its defensive strategy; they've opted to double-team Jinwoo!"
"Bridges and Hart are already standing together in front of Jinwoo, while Brunson and DiVincenzo on the wings are ready to help defend, and Paschall in the paint is also on standby at all times!"
"Perhaps... we're seeing Jinwoo initiate!"
Before Kenny Smith could finish speaking, Jinwoo, with the ball, took a step, first pushing the ball forward between Bridges and Hart, then suddenly exerting force with his feet.
With the system's enhancement, Jinwoo took his fastest step ever, directly slipping out before the two could execute their double-team!
Escaping the double-team at super speed, Jinwoo, without slowing down, completely ignored the help defense from DiVincenzo and Brunson, stormed into the paint, and, facing Paschall, unleashed an unreasonable tomahawk dunk!!
"What the heck!"
As Jinwoo landed steadily, Kenny Smith on the commentary stand instantly leaped from his seat: "My God, Jinwoo alone actually broke free from Villanova University's five-man defense and dunked the ball!"
"What astonishing talent; he completed this offense while facing five defenders!"
Just one offensive play was enough to demonstrate that Jinwoo's athleticism and offensive talent were absolutely unprecedented and explosive!
"The game is over!"
At the same time, Kobe Bryant in the stands directly stood up: "LeBron, are you still going to keep watching?"
"You're leaving?"
LeBron James looked up at Kobe.
"The Kentucky Wildcats have won, and Jinwoo will be the MVP!"
Kobe smiled: "Just wait and see, this young man from Korea is destined to shine in the NBA!"
After saying this, Kobe, along with Magic Johnson, turned and left directly, showing no intention of staying to continue watching the game.
In his opinion, when Villanova University's defense, whether employing unlimited switching or double-team tactics, could not stop Jinwoo from scoring, it meant the game had completely lost its suspense.
It wasn't that the Villanova coach's tactical arrangements weren't perfect, nor was it because the Villanova University five weren't excellent enough.
It was simply because Jinwoo was several levels above everyone else on the court!
That's all!
In fact, it was just as Kobe had said.
Jinwoo's terrifying scoring ability was fully unleashed under Villanova University's increasingly tight defense.
His repeated individual offensive plays completely overwhelmed Villanova University's defense.
After all, in terms of scoring ability, Jinwoo was definitely the Top 1 in the NCAA league!
Although Villanova University also regained its former form on offense, Jinwoo's unstoppable individual offense truly gave them a splitting headache.
By the time Alexander returned fully refreshed, he also naturally took over the game.
The Kentucky Wildcats, in the final few minutes, had already led their opponent by more than 16 points!
"Will anyone from Villanova University step up to replicate Jinwoo's miracle comeback?"
Looking at the dwindling time and the strong offensive performances of Alexander and Jinwoo, Kenny Smith on the commentary stand smiled: "Or rather, the Kentucky Wildcats can already celebrate early!"
In the final moments, Villanova University even committed a low-level passing turnover. After Alexander countered to the frontcourt, he didn't choose a solo performance; instead, he slammed the ball hard against the rim.
"Bang!"
As the basketball rebounded, Jinwoo, who was sprinting up the wing, soared into the air and, with a full windmill motion, slammed the ball into the basket with a heavy dunk!
84:66!
The Kentucky Wildcats extended the lead to 18 points!
At the same time, this shot was also Jinwoo's 44th point of the game!
He alone accounted for more than half of the Kentucky Wildcats' points!
"Jinwoo!"
"MVP!"
"Jinwoo!"
"MVP!"
The Alamodome erupted completely, with almost everyone standing up, shouting Jinwoo's name and chanting "MVP"!
He was the undisputed protagonist of the day, and the Kentucky Wildcats' super Hero!
Finally, amidst the roaring cheers, time ran out.
The Kentucky Wildcats powerfully defeated the tournament's #1 seed, Villanova University, and once again lifted the NCAA championship trophy after several years!