Towns has a flawless finishing ability; he can face off against the opposing center, mismatch against smaller players, roll or pop after a screen, and occasionally step out for a spot-up shot.
Tonight, Booker, who was taunting to take down Ubre, exerted too much force. Booker tried several times to draw fouls by forcing shots with Ubre's contact but the referees didn't blow the whistle, resulting in disrupted shots.
Despite Booker being in average form, Kentucky still pressed Kansas. Kansas clung to the score with a few miraculous shots.
The first half passed rapidly after 10 minutes, seeing the adverse situation, Kansas called for a timeout.
The Kansas coach Shieff quickly shouted to his players: "Double-team Carl, lock the paint, and compress the defense."
Coach Shieff was missing last season's beloved Joel Embiid; in his view, if Embiid were here, Towns wouldn't be so unruly against the Kentucky Wildcats.
Towns was too comfortable on the court, either facing to play or using footwork for hook shots, sometimes even pulling out for threes...
On the other side, Coach Calipari sensed the upcoming strategic changes from the opponent and promptly made adjustments.
"Zeng, you're in." Head Coach Calipari, without hesitation, sent in Zeng Xingyang, substituting for Booker.
Indeed, Zeng Xingyang's outstanding performance in the last intra-squad game changed Coach Calipari's perspective.
Simultaneously, the point guard position was switched to Tyler Ulis.
Game resumes after the timeout.
Kansas Jayhawks' offense, Selden holding the ball, and Alexander's pick-and-roll.
After the pick-and-roll, Selden breaks in, slightly catching Towns' attention, then dishes the ball to Ubre cutting inside.
Ubre grabs the ball, strides in for a single-handed slam before Towns gets back.
"Boom!" The basketball is slammed into the hoop.
12-17, University of Kansas gets back two points. The fans supporting Ubre timely delivering cheers.
"Ah!!" Ubre fiercely clenches his fists and roars at Towns, as if he desires to press Towns down.
Zeng Xingyang realizing the issue lies in Towns' rim protection. His offense is impeccable for a big man, but his defense falls below average, unable to stand firm at critical moments.
Towns shakes his head helplessly; he seldom wants to defend such shots.
"Hey, yellow-skinned guy, I'll shut you down tonight," Selden throws trash talk at the nearby Zeng Xingyang.
Selden has an NBA-level physique, standing 1.96 meters tall with a 2.08-meter wingspan, robust body, good athleticism, and high efficiency in scoring at the rim.
Just as other black players perceive Asians, Selden naturally thinks Zeng Xingyang is easy prey since Zeng Xingyang is taller than him, he's eager to limit Zeng Xingyang both offensively and defensively, blowing out Zeng Xingyang would give him a sense of accomplishment.
Zeng Xingyang glances at Selden but doesn't bother responding.
Zeng Xingyang moves to the front court for off-ball positioning, closely followed by Selden.
Selden's physique is stronger than Zeng Xingyang, and he's agile, not making it easy for Zeng Xingyang to shake him off.
But Koulistan timely sets an off-ball screen for Zeng Xingyang out at the three-point line, allowing Zeng Xingyang to spring to the right three-point area using the screen.
Towns at the free-throw line leans to attract the defense before slinging the ball to Zeng Xingyang.
Having gained trust from teammates during training and internal games, all teammates know Zeng Xingyang's specialties.
When Zeng Xingyang receives the ball, Kansas' defense had shrunk inside, leaving him open.
Without much hesitation, Zeng Xingyang bends his knees to jump, lifts the ball, flicking it away.
The basketball traces a beautiful arc through the air...
"Swish!"
The basketball precisely sinks into the net.
The rhythm of this shot was extremely smooth, appearing incredibly sleek.
12-20
Lots of Kentucky Wildcats fans might have never seen Zeng Xingyang or even heard his name, but now they cheer for him wholeheartedly.
Zeng Xingyang vigorously swings his fist; this is his first point in the NCAA.
"Nice job, man."
"Great pass."
Towns and Zeng Xingyang exchange a wave of mutual praise.
University of Kansas on offense.
Selden holds the ball on the right side along with Alexander's pick-and-roll. Zeng Xingyang gets blocked, Selden changes direction after the pick-and-roll, bypassing Towns, scoring with a floater.
14-20, Selden perceptively found Towns' defense not as intimidating as imagined, allowing him to drive to the basket effortlessly.
After scoring, Selden provocatively nods at Zeng Xingyang.
Tyler Ulis brings the ball to the frontcourt for organizing, Zeng Xingyang continues his positioning run.
Koulistan maintains setting screens for Zeng Xingyang, yet Selden anticipates and steps across to evade the screen.
Receiving the pass from Tyler Ulis, Zeng Xingyang finds no chance to shoot.
"I've found a way to deal with you now, you won't have an open spot," Selden continues his trash talk targeting Zeng Xingyang.
Zeng Xingyang without hesitation passes the ball to Towns at the low post.
Towns attracts the defense upon catching the ball, then Zeng Xingyang feints moving out, executing a remarkably realistic Level 3 positioning fake.
Selden falls for it, allowing Zeng Xingyang to reverse course, open at the free-throw line again, Towns seeing this delivers the ball back to Zeng Xingyang.
Zeng Xingyang prepares for a catch-and-shoot in motion, upon catching the ball, leaps swiftly into a mid-range shot.
His wrist gently flicks, his fingers are smooth, the spectators watching captivated.
"Swish!"
14-22.
This is textbook standard action.
Coach Calipari on the sidelines punches the air, his judgment indeed proved correct.
"Your defense is looser than my grandma's teeth."
Zeng Xingyang retorts back to Selden at this moment.
Selden's expression seems as uncomfortable as eating dirt; he hadn't anticipated the Chinese player being so tough to handle.
His positioning is slippery, constantly unable to keep up with his shooting restrictions.
The crowd keeps roaring with cheers, Kentucky fans can feel Zeng Xingyang's confidence in his positioning and shooting.
This yellow-skinned Chinese appears to provide more tactical variations for Kentucky.
Kansas Jayhawks' offense comes again.
Zeng Xingyang with Tyler Ulis advances to the frontcourt exerting pressure on their respective defenders, Graham with possession feels significant pressure.
Yet Graham being experienced maintains control by repeatedly bumping on Tyler Ulis protecting the ball.
Selden attempts to receive the ball but fails, persistently shadowed by Zeng Xingyang.
Graham passes the ball to Alexander.
Kansas sequentially channels the ball, yet unable to create good opportunities, Ubre must force a three-pointer from the perimeter upon receiving it.
Lyles' defense is timely, the shot misses, Towns boxes out to secure the rebound in stride.