During the opening ceremony, fans on both sides showed extremely high emotions.

Needless to say, Texas fans, their Lone Star Republic is going to have a bloody battle with the guys from the United States.

As for Kansas fans, they had the same idea as the Kansas players at the beginning.

Facing an old opponent that they had defeated easily a month and a half ago, they didn't know how to lose tonight!

After the opening ceremony, the starting lineups of both sides were announced one after another.

University of Kansas: Russell Robinson, Chalmers, Rush, Wright, Cowan;

University of Texas: Augustin, Abrams, James, Durant, Lin Ying.

When the starting lineups on both sides came out, both Barnes and Self were a little surprised.

Barnes was surprised that Kansas didn't continue to use Arthur to guard Durant.

You must know that Arthur's defensive effect was very good in the last match.

Self's surprise was because Barnes started with a smaller lineup!

If you have followed these two from the beginning, you will definitely remember the scene when they were unable to survive in the second half of their first match.

To put it nicely, these two people have their own principles. To put it lightly, they are stubborn!

Stubborn people can actually change?

However, the two of them did not do anything despite the surprise.

For Barnes, Self's adjustment does not affect his tactical layout.

For Self, the "small lineup" of the University of Texas has been used frequently in the first two games of the Mad Three, so it is not too surprising to use it as a starter.

Moreover, Kansas' starting lineup has more flexibility than the last time they played against each other, so they won't suffer too much.

The opening ceremony ended and the starters from both sides came on stage one after another.

Lin Ying and Cowan's jump ball in midfield.

Both Barnes and Self sat up straight.

The formation of troops is only theoretical. Whether it works or not will only be known after the opening game.

"beep!"

The referee blew the whistle and the basketball was thrown into the air.

With the cheers of more than 70,000 people at the scene, Lin Ying and Cowan jumped up and the game officially began!

Cowen jumped to get the ball, and the University of Kansas took the lead.

At the beginning of the game, the University of Texas defensive end defended a 2-3 zone defense.

This is learning how UNLV plays.

And the University of Kansas, an old rival, really gave me face.

The defensive weakness of the 2-3 zone defense was the two 45-degree three-point lines on the left and right. As a result, Chalmers had one on each side!

This is because when you meet an acquaintance, you can’t help but give him a big gift package at the beginning!

Naturally, the University of Texas did not miss such an opportunity.

Lin Ying controlled the rebound and passed two waves. Augustin made a layup and Durant followed up with a dunk. The University of Texas got off to a perfect start 4-0!

It must be mentioned that the blocking technique that Lin Ying observed from Joel Anthony played a big role in these two waves.

Over at the commentary box, Barkley, who "supported" the University of Kansas, also burst out laughing.

Facts have proved that when it comes to poisonous milk, Durant's points are not enough in front of him!

But just when the fans thought that the University of Kansas was going to follow UCLA's footsteps and smash the basket crookedly again, Brandon Rush stepped forward!

He first hit an open three-pointer from a 45° angle to the left, and then hit a three-pointer from the bottom corner against Abrams!

If you don’t know what to pick with the 13th pick, then pick a shooting guard!

Under his guidance, Chalmers also found his touch and hit a 45° three-pointer from the right side.

These three three-pointers were scored, and Barnes was forced to call a timeout.

The University of Kansas' perimeter defense is getting better, and the University of Texas' zone defense may not be able to hold on!

"We play a 3-2 zone."

But just after the timeout, what Barnes said was surprising.

He had no intention of giving up zone defense, but chose to change his formation!

"Damai, if Rush moves to the bottom corner, you are responsible for following him.

Lin, you don't have to worry about the corner or wing on the other side, let others fill the position, you just need to guard the basket."

In addition to the defensive formation, he also made some other targeted arrangements.

The 2-3 zone defense is to protect the penalty area and rebounds. The two 45-degree three-point lines and the left and right high posts are weak defensive areas;

The 3-2 zone defense is just the opposite. It mainly focuses on pressing the top of the arc and two 45-degree angles to limit the opponent's front three-pointers.

Its weak points are the two bottom corners and the basket.

The University of Kansas has a hot three-point shooting during this period, which is a very targeted adjustment.

As for the detailed arrangements later.

Chalmers rarely goes to the corner, and when he does, it's most likely Rush, so just follow him.

Some people would say that with a long diagonal pass from the baseline, the ball can be passed directly to an open teammate in the weak side corner.

This operation is not impossible, but it is very difficult.

In history, the GIF of Ginobili's cross-court pass from the bottom line across the half-court is amazing, but it also just illustrates the difficulty of this kind of pass.

Especially in front of a zone defense, it is very easy for the defensive team to intercept the ball directly.

"We have to pick up the speed and play with them in motion."

And at the end, Barnes also mentioned the most critical point: speed up.

Barnes' tactical ability is definitely not as good as Springman's, and this is reflected in every game.

But it was his strategic ability that determined him to be the head coach of the University of Texas.

Or in other words, Springman is the general, and Barnes is the handsome man.

"Use a small lineup to fight defensive counterattacks and avoid positional battles" is the style of play that was decided before the game.

So no matter what the situation is on the court, all adjustments made are aimed at this.

After the tactics were laid out, Barnes said some words of encouragement.

Before the players were ready to take the field, he stopped Lin Ying.

"We have no choice."

The first words out of his mouth were full of meaning.

The University of Kansas has excellent three-point shooting ability, but its ability to attack the frame is even stronger!

Not to mention Chalmers' strong breakthrough ability, Rush and Wright are also excellent in scoring ability in the penalty area.

Originally, the 3-2 zone defense was a weak area under the basket, and Lin Ying had to defend it alone.

That would be very stressful.

But similarly, they already proved in the Big12 finals that man-to-man coverage cannot limit Kansas' offense, and speeding up the zone defense is a must.

So like he said, they have no choice.

Lin Ying nodded.

Yesterday, Barnes left him alone, saying that he might need to guard the basket alone.

The reason why it is called a strange move is because Self would never have thought of this type of play.

"Remember, you are the last wall at the University of Texas."

At this moment, Barnes added another sentence.

After he finished speaking, he patted Lin Ying on the shoulder, which had a profound meaning.

This is not the first time he has done this. He also did it in the last game against North Carolina when Lin Ying was required to attack in the low post.

But it was obvious that he shot harder this time.

"I know."

Lin Ying not only nodded this time, but also spoke!

He certainly understands the importance of the center in a small lineup.

In history, the Warriors team led by Curry was able to sweep the league with the "Five Dead". First, the Splash Brothers' powerful outside attack capabilities, and second, Draymond Green's defense of the basket.

Small lineups rely on help defense, but help defense takes time, and Green often has to face the opponent's strong attack.
To be continued...