The camera returns to the game.
After Omari Spellman calmly made both free throws, the Kentucky Wildcats quickly inbounded the ball, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) passed the ball to Jinwoo, who was ready to receive it, before he even crossed half-court.
"Bang ~"
With the ball in his hands, Jinwoo immediately charged forward, taking two or three steps past Mikal Bridges and arriving one step beyond the three-point line.
Bridges watched him intently, following his every move to prevent him from driving to the basket.
However, Jinwoo stopped, and from one step beyond the three-point line, he pulled up for another shot!
"Swish!"
The basketball arced beautifully through the air, then exploded into the net.
"What the—"
Bridges was a bit surprised; he hadn't expected Jinwoo to shoot like that, almost a trailing shot that caught him completely off guard.
Turning around, Villanova University's offense accelerated, but this time the opportunity fell to Josh Hart, whose three-pointer missed, and the rebound was secured by Jarred Vanderbilt (Vanderbilt), who then passed it to Jinwoo.
With the ball in his hands, Jinwoo flew directly toward the front court; with the system's enhancement, his speed was concretely manifested, and even though Bridges chased him early, he only managed to catch up just past the half-court line.
He's going to do it again, isn't he?
Bridges intercepted him at the top of the arc, staring intently at Jinwoo.
"Bang!"
Jinwoo also stopped his feet, and with an outstretched hand, he was about to attempt another super-long-range three-pointer, surprising Bridges, who leaped with all his might, covering him with one hand.
But this time, Jinwoo clearly chose not to shoot; the mid-air shot turned into a pass, and he swung his right arm, avoiding the opponent's long reach, and passed it to Alexander, who was cutting in at high speed from the wing. Alexander received the ball, accelerated frantically, drove into the paint, and slammed it down with both hands!
9:13!
The Kentucky Wildcats extended their lead to 4 points.
After the start, the two teams' distinctly different scoring methods on offense were concretely manifested, but it was clear that Villanova University's defense against Jinwoo had become even tighter.
The referee on the sidelines even called several defensive fouls on Villanova University when the Kentucky Wildcats were on offense.
And these fouls were all committed against Jinwoo.
"The level of confrontation between the two teams on defense is gradually increasing, and the game is becoming more intense."
Seeing Alexander, who had driven into the restricted area, being roughly pulled down by Spellman, Kenny Smith on the commentary table said somewhat helplessly, "Villanova University has committed too many fouls on defense; they have started to increase physical contact with offensive players!"
"That's right, whether it's Alexander or Jinwoo, every one of their offensive plays requires a lot of physical exertion due to the physical confrontation!"
Villanova University Head Coach Jay Wright demanded that everyone on defense use a rotation strategy to wear down Jinwoo and Alexander's stamina.
In his opinion, the backcourt duo of Jinwoo and Alexander could score, but they would have to expend double the energy they normally would.
Conversely, on offense, Villanova University was always able to rely on team play to finish their attacks in the most comfortable situations.
The entire first half, twenty minutes, was played, and Villanova University was temporarily trailing the Kentucky Wildcats by two points, 42:44.
But everyone could see that by the end of the half, Alexander was sweating more than anyone else.
However, there were still twenty minutes left in the second half, and if he continued to play with this level of energy expenditure, Alexander was very likely to experience exhaustion in the final moments of the game!
Halftime Discussion: The NBA View
"See? Jinwoo shows no signs of a decline in stamina!"
In the stands, Magic Johnson was quite interested in talking to LeBron James: "Even though Villanova University has been giving Jinwoo all sorts of special attention on defense, it still hasn't affected his performance!"
"I bet Jinwoo is definitely not as tired as people imagine!"
"He not only possesses historical-level talent, but his fighting spirit and willpower are also incredibly amazing!"
"You guys really have an eye on Jinwoo!"
James didn't answer Magic Johnson's question, but instead retorted, "How confident are you that you can bring Jinwoo to Los Angeles in this year's draft?"
"I can't reveal that to you yet..."
Magic Johnson stretched his body: "What I can promise you is that if you join Los Angeles this summer, you will definitely see Jinwoo there!"
Halftime Discussion: The Wildcats Locker Room
Almost at the same time, inside the Kentucky Wildcats' locker room.
Head Coach Calipari's face was extremely grim.
Alexander, one of the team's core players, had an excellent performance in the first half.
But the problem was that Alexander's energy consumption was truly severe.
Coach Calipari had to give him enough rest time in the second half.
Similarly, in Coach Calipari's opinion, Jinwoo, who had scored 24 points on offense in the first half, needed even more rest time in the second half.
This would also lead to the team lacking its two core players for a period in the second half!
And this period would belong to Villanova University!
It was foreseeable that they would definitely take the opportunity to widen the score and lay the foundation for victory.
It must be said that even as an opponent, Head Coach Calipari couldn't help but praise Villanova University's roster depth.
This team, with many outstanding young players, was worthy of being the number one seed in the tournament!
"Coach, I don't need any rest!"
However, just as Head Coach Calipari was arranging the team's second-half tactics in the locker room, Jinwoo, who had been mostly silent, suddenly spoke: "Only when the team's lead is enough to ensure we win the final championship will I choose to rest!"
Alexander's stamina reserves definitely would not support him playing the entire game; he would certainly need some rest at the beginning of the second half.
And Jinwoo, with the system's enhancement, possessed the most abnormal stamina in the entire league.
Let alone an NCAA Finals game, even an NBA Finals game, playing the entire duration would be no problem for him!
"Are you sure?"
Coach Calipari looked at Jinwoo: "Jinwoo, you know that on offense, you have always been Villanova University's primary target."
Now was not the time to worry about Alexander's feelings.
The fact was, the defensive intensity Jinwoo faced on offense in the first half was not comparable to what Alexander faced.
After all, Villanova University Head Coach Jay Wright was very clear that on the Kentucky Wildcats' side, only Jinwoo could end the suspense of the game in a short period of time.
"Coach, Jinwoo clearly faced much greater defensive intensity than I did in the first half!"
Alexander, wiping sweat and chugging a Red Bull, interjected: "Instead of letting him continue to play in the second half, why don't you let me go up first and hold the fort?"
"Once Jinwoo has rested, then let him finish the game!"
Alexander was also very clear about Jinwoo's tactical position within the team at the moment.
If he himself was the Kentucky Wildcats' baseline, then Jinwoo was the one who determined the team's ceiling.
Alexander was very clear about what was more important.
"You just sit on the bench in the second half and enjoy my performance!"
Jinwoo patted Alexander's shoulder and said jokingly, "I will lead you to the highest podium!"
Alexander knew very well that Jinwoo was never one to just talk big, and coupled with the unwavering determination in his eyes at that moment, he said no more.
He chose to trust his good brother!
"I don't want to miss out on the championship trophy!"
Similarly, Alexander also teased Jinwoo, smiling, "If you can't do it, come down quickly, and I'll lead you to the win!"
"I will personally deliver the championship trophy to you!"
Jinwoo smiled faintly, then was the first to step onto the court.