In the first half, after a few more exchanges, Coach Prosser called a timeout. To counter Bruce Weber's open scheme, assistant coach Victor tinkered with the whiteboard during the timeout and told Zack: "Next, you'll need to handle the ball more at the high post."
Zack listened patiently to Victor's plan, then looked at the worried-looking Prosser and said, "This tactical adjustment isn't Coach Skip's idea, is it?"
Victor nodded: "It was my idea, but Skip agreed to it too."
Seeing this, Zack immediately shook his head and said, "I refuse to execute this tactic."
At that moment, Zack's reason for refusing the tactic was simple. According to Victor's design, moving to the top of the arc to pass the ball to teammates would indeed reduce his offensive burden. But that would shift all the pressure onto his teammates. And it's not just about whether Paul and Gray could get open on the wings as Victor demanded. Even if they could… because Zack wasn't holding the low post, Illinois's interior would lose its threat, allowing Illinois to expand their defense and pressure the Demon Deacons' perimeter. Furthermore, if Zack kept passing from beyond the three-point line, who would be responsible for crashing the offensive boards for Wake Forest?
As for Zack choosing to drive directly from beyond the three-point line… "That won't work. After a few more possessions like that, Zack will just get more tired," Anthony told James on the sidelines, as they discussed how Wake Forest could break out of their predicament. In basketball, why are superstar perimeter isolations generally only used in crucial moments? Because even if it's Michael Jordan, if you make him play like that for an entire game, he'd be smoking just from sticking out his tongue.
In fact, the moment Victor explained his tactical setup, a scene involuntarily popped into Zack's mind: his teammates receiving his "hot potato" passes, then clanking shots under intense pressure. In Zack's view, this style of play was too irresponsible. Normally, he might have accepted this tactical arrangement. After all, according to Victor's design, his post-game stats would definitely look good. But not tonight. Because tonight was the March Madness final.
On the bench, seeing Victor's rejected expression, Prosser finally cracked a smile. "See? I told you he wouldn't accept your plan."
"But then, how do we counter their scheme?" Victor said, frustrated.
Prosser shrugged: "I trust Zack. I believe he'll lead us to victory in this game before he runs out of energy."
Tonight, Paul was destined to be swallowed by Deron. So, in a sense, this was a game to test Zack's star quality.
Overlord's Dominance and a Familiar Face
On the court, after the timeout, it was Wake Forest's ball. Zack first engaged in a cross-screen with Reeve in the low post. Noticing that Gray had gotten the ball from Paul, Zack actively moved up to the left 45-degree angle to set a screen for him. Since Head was completely screened by Zack, Gray didn't hesitate and decisively shot a three. At the same time, the moment Gray released the ball, Zack spun and charged into the paint.
Clang!
In the restricted area, although Gray's three-pointer clanked, Zack grabbed the rebound ahead of Augustine, then stepped, rose, and smoothly put the ball into the hoop. As he retreated on defense, Zack encouraged Gray: "Justin, shoot a few more to find your rhythm. It's okay, all the rebounds tonight are mine."
"All the rebounds tonight are mine." Even though Gray knew that Zack's words were probably an exaggeration, this statement subtly instilled confidence in Gray, just like Sakuragi's declarations often inspire Shohoku.
Then, on the next possession, Wake Forest's defensive alignment surprised Coach Weber on the sidelines. Wake Forest had actively expanded their defensive zone, clearly not wanting Illinois to get easy three-point looks. "But then, who will protect your paint?" Coach Weber thought, puzzled.
And on the court, Bruce Weber quickly got the answer he wanted. Because after Deron drove to the restricted area, hounding Paul all the way, a figure simultaneously appeared above his head.
Slap!
While driving, Deron, focused only on bullying Paul, clearly didn't expect Zack's recovery defense to be so fast. Deron only reacted after Zack emphatically pinned his layup against the backboard, a block as demoralizing as Akagi's rejections.
Under the basket, Zack passed the ball to Paul. The latter, who had been getting beaten up, didn't dare to be slow. He quickly dribbled past half-court and promptly found Reeve, who scored on a fast break. At this point, Weber understood why Wake Forest dared to expand their defense so recklessly. Yet, Weber's mind grew even more confused. Because Zack, having to exert full effort on both offense and defense, would only accelerate his energy depletion. Indeed, the NCAA halves combined only last 40 minutes. But college basketball is famous for its intense physical play. Given Zack's weight and height, Weber didn't believe he could sustain such high-quality offense and defense until the last minute of the game.
On the court, Deron, still shaken by Zack's massive block, chose to give the ball to Head this time. From beyond the arc, Head dribbled one step, made Gray stumble, and hit a pull-up two-pointer. Since all three of Illinois's backcourt core players could handle the ball, tonight, not only was Paul under "immense pressure," but Gray was also expending a lot of energy.
Seeing this, Prosser glanced at the game clock, then turned his gaze to Ronnie Evans, who had a tendency to falter in crucial moments ever since he missed that potential game-tying shot against Connecticut last season. If he could, Prosser really wanted to keep Evans on the bench for the entire game. But tonight, Gray's stamina couldn't last the whole game. So, looking at this "Zack's man," Prosser mustered his courage and said, "Ronnie... in five minutes, I'll sub you in for Justin."
Additionally, because "Beast" Ellis was also expending a lot of energy, Prosser also called up Kyle Visser, whom the team had promoted from the scout team this year. Visser, at 6'11", was a player who could help Zack relieve defensive pressure on the court. Historically, Visser would have his offensive talent activated by Prosser in his senior year, developing into a quality college big man averaging "17+7." But for now... you can simply think of him as a "pass-first" big man, almost too hesitant to shoot, reminiscent of a less-confident Fukuda.
And on the court, when it was time for substitutions, in addition to Wake Forest making adjustments, Illinois also subbed in Jack Ingram for Powell. Throughout his college career, the 6'10" Ingram was always an unknown minor player. It wasn't until he transferred from Tulsa to Illinois that Ingram, this minor player, found some value on the court. Because Coach Weber immediately saw his ability to shoot threes. In the NCAA, not all players dream of going to the NBA someday. For minor players like Ingram, playing every college basketball game well and having a youth without regrets was already a success. It's worth noting that tonight was also the last college game for the graduating Ingram.
The Spark: Ronnie Evans' Surprise Performance
On the court, after the substitutions, Illinois attacked. The minor player Ingram received a drive-and-kick from Deron and hit a three. After scoring, a thrilled Ingram immediately looked for his family and friends in the stands. "Did you all see that? That's my brother!" In the stands, Kylie Ingram, wearing an Illinois jersey, bragged to the surrounding Illinois die-hards.
Then, it was Wake Forest's offensive possession. Paul and Zack ran a pick-and-roll. Although Zack was immediately double-teamed after receiving the ball, because Illinois chose an unfavorable time and position to double, both Zack and Paul, who had just passed him the ball, immediately noticed the Wake Forest player that Illinois had intentionally left open. Seeing this, Zack took a deep breath and passed the ball.
At the same time, the TV broadcast zoomed in on Evans, who received Zack's pass. At this moment, this Wake Forest role player, who looked strikingly like Tyrese Gibson, didn't adjust as smoothly as usual after catching the ball. Seeing this, Paul, feeling that Evans was about to falter again, urgently shouted, "Rebound!"
Swish!
Actually, before Paul even shouted the word "rebound," Zack had already charged into the paint. But to Zack and Paul's surprise, Evans... he actually made it!
"Hey, Chris, you yelled too loudly just now, you almost messed up my shot!" Evans shouted to Paul as he retreated on defense. Hearing this, neither Paul nor Zack bothered to respond to Evans. Instead, with unspoken understanding, they both playfully kicked him as they retreated on defense. Evans was furious, but facing Zack and Paul's "bullying," he could only swallow his anger.
Coming back, Illinois attacked. With the previous lesson learned, Visser didn't give Ingram a chance to shoot after a pick-and-pop this time. Brown's pull-up two-pointer missed, and Zack secured the rebound and immediately initiated a fast break. On the sidelines, although this scene wasn't the first tonight, Bruce Weber still felt that Zack was too overpowered for college basketball. "He just needs to dribble a few steps forward to cross half-court..."
On the court, Zack dribbled to the offensive zone and again noticed Evans's figure. Because Zack attracted all the attention, Illinois's players on the court didn't notice Evans, who had stopped near the three-point line in the frontcourt. For a moment, Zack really wanted to just drive directly into the paint. But, noticing Evans's confident face, Zack still passed the ball to him.
Swish!
Evans's shot was swift and accurate, making two consecutive threes! "How dare you leave the ACC's best shooter open?" After scoring, Evans actively shouted to the Illinois players on the court. However... the next second, countless question marks instantly appeared on the faces of the Illinois players.
ACC's best shooter? If I may ask, who are you?
On the court, it was Illinois's turn to attack. Head fired again, hitting a pull-up three over Evans at the top of the arc. However, what no one expected, including Wake Forest players, fans, and coaches, was that on Wake Forest's offensive possession, Evans once again received a pass from Zack and drained a three!
"Hello, Luther, you'd better remember my name, Ronnie Evans, the best three-point shooter on the entire East Coast," Evans said shamelessly, looking up at Head on the court. As a mature senior, Head, of course, wouldn't bother with Evans at this moment. But in the first half, Evans's three timely threes were like a much-needed rain, greatly relieving Zack's pressure.
On the sidelines, Prosser looked at Victor in disbelief and said, "You know what... Ronnie did something tonight that even Chris couldn't do."
Overlord Breaks Through!
At the Edward Jones Dome, at halftime, the scoreboard showed Wake Forest leading 45-37. During halftime, Zack's physical condition was significantly better than expected. In the locker room, although no one explicitly said it, every time someone walked past Evans, his head received an appreciative pat from his teammates. Seeing this, Evans, who was already bald, laughed: "I've always thought my bald head felt pretty good."
After halftime, Wake Forest and Illinois resumed play. In the second half, Evans, whom Prosser intuitively kept on the court, continued his magic. Being too careless while dribbling, Head was actually stripped by Evans. Then, Evans, knowing which leg to hug, immediately passed the ball to Zack. After that, Zack dribbled straight into the Illinois restricted area, scoring Wake Forest's first points of the second half with a soaring, powerful dunk that oozed talent.
On the Demon Deacons' bench, even though he was relegated to the bench in the second half, Gray, without a single complaint, actively pulled his teammates to wildly wave towels for Zack, cheering him on like Sakuragi's cheering squad.
Since Wake Forest's Overlord didn't get overly exhausted in the first half as Weber had hoped... then next, watch as the Overlord breaks through the formation!
On the court, Augustine's signature mid-range shot after a pick-and-pop was mercilessly blocked by Zack. Then, in the next instant, in a flash of lightning, Zack, charging solo into Illinois's half-court, opened his body in the air... At this moment, looking at Zack's soaring height, seeing the distance he jumped, LeBron James on the sidelines immediately buried his head in Carmelo Anthony's shoulder, utterly awestruck by the sheer athleticism, perhaps seeing a glimpse of Slam Dunk's legendary "Phantom Dunk."
Slam!
At this moment, mountains and rivers collapsed, and the heavens and earth changed color!
"Illinois has called a timeout! Zack just came out in the second half and already forced a timeout from Illinois!" the CBS commentator exclaimed excitedly.
In the stands, Barkley pondered for a moment, then said to Jordan, "Don't you think... this kid jumped higher than he did last summer?"
Jordan nodded: "Tim said last year that Zack's jumping ability still had room for development."
Barkley said: "Do you think Dwight Howard could dunk from that distance [one step in front of the free-throw line]?"
Jordan shook his head: "I've watched Dwight play. He definitely can't do it, because after he jumps, the gravitational pull from the Earth's core will inevitably make him fall prematurely."
Barkley looked astonished: "You've started researching gravity after retirement?"
Jordan rolled his eyes at Barkley, then immediately pulled out a ring from his pocket.
The timeout ended, and the game continued. Paul, having no answer for Deron, continued to take a beating. But the scales of the game were gradually tipping towards Wake Forest. As this era's NCAA three-point heavy team, if Illinois couldn't consistently maintain their shooting touch in the game, then what awaited them tonight was the transition offense initiated by Zack after grabbing rebounds, a relentless assault on the fast break.
Originally, according to Bruce Weber's plan, Zack would hit a physical wall sometime in the second half. But no one expected the underdog Evans to suddenly steal the show tonight. And... his magic continued.
On the court, Evans, who once again received a pass from Zack, drew back his bow and shot, hitting another three! Since Evans was 4-for-4 from beyond the arc tonight, Illinois, unable to ignore it, had to increase their defensive pressure on him. Zack and Paul both noticed Illinois's defensive adjustment and thus decisively shifted Wake Forest's main attack direction to Evans's side. As a result, because they had to guard Evans, Illinois naturally couldn't double-team Zack as quickly as before.
On the court, after shaking off Augustine with his signature perimeter double-crossover, Zack, as if in an unpatrolled area, soared for a layup and scored. On the sidelines, Prosser smiled: "Ronnie can now contribute to the team's offense just by standing in the corner."
Meanwhile, watching Zack grow stronger and stronger on the court, Anthony said definitively, "Zack is ready to claim victory in this game." Suddenly remembering something, James joked, "Speaking of which, Melo, why haven't we seen our good buddy Chris Paul in this game?" Hearing this, Anthony was first surprised, then stunned, and said, "You reminded me, LeBron. Has our good buddy Chris been kidnapped?"