Arjun kicked off his first round helping UCLA score!
It was a much-needed three-pointer from downtown for UCLA!
This was crucial for boosting morale.
"Nice!!"
"Arjun's three-pointer is spot on."
"That's how a top ten rookie should play."
"Arjun is awesome!!"
After scoring, Arjun raised both hands, his three fingers celebrating.
This was his first score in March Madness.
Durant watched Arjun celebrate with a cold gaze, aware that the challenge from the University of Texas was on.
Arjun's fouls in the first half were totally unexpected,no one thought UCLA's star would end up benched like that.
So, the UCLA that played in the second half was at full strength.
Texas on the offense.
Augustin faced Westbrook's intense pressure.
Durant backed into Arjun, calling for the ball with one hand.
Augustin barely managed to pass it to Durant.
Facing Arjun, Durant leaned into a triple threat position.
He tested Arjun with a few jab steps, but Arjun didn't bite, just held his ground.
Durant wasn't yet the unstoppable force Arjun remembered from watching NBA games in his past life.
He was too skinny and his shooting form wasn't quite there yet.
Arjun was about as tall as Durant, but his wingspan was even more intimidating, making it tough for Durant.
Durant tried to muscle past Arjun but was stuck tight to him, unable to break free.
Arjun's defense was top-notch, making it hard for Durant to find any space to dribble.
Durant had no choice but to pass it back to Augustin.
Westbrook zoned out for a moment while defending off the ball, and Augustin seized the chance.
Augustin drove in, the center cleared a path for him, and his layup added another two points.
44 to 35.
Texas responded immediately.
"Texas looks like they're aiming for an upset."
"UCLA's defense isn't cutting it today."
"Their off-ball defense is a mess."
The fans were pessimistic about UCLA's prospects.
Westbrook raised his hand, signaling the fault was his.
Arjun was also frustrated.
To catch up, defense was key.
But Westbrook was trying,off-ball defense was his weak spot.
Coach Howland on the sidelines was laying into Westbrook.
Arjun couldn't worry about that,this game was too important.
Arjun wasn't just after the system rewards,he wanted the championship, wanted to boost his draft stock through March Madness.
All of this hinged on continuously winning games.
UCLA on the offense.
Westbrook brought the ball up.
With a significant height difference, Durant switched to guard Arjun.
Texas played defense desperately, not giving UCLA any easy shots.
UCLA's players were more talented, but today the opponents had more heart and hustle.
In college basketball, the gap isn't always big, and single-elimination games are a perfect breeding ground for upsets.
Durant kept sticking to Arjun,his defense wasn't strong, but his talent was undeniable.
Arjun faked a drive, then used center Raynor's screen to cut back and shake off Durant.
Arjun moved to the left three-point line, Durant was out of position, and Westbrook kept an eye on Arjun.
This time he immediately passed the ball straight to Arjun.
A brief open window!
Direct shoot!
Arjun, though a point guard, made a shooter's signature move.
Caught the ball and shot quickly.
Fingertips flicked the basketball.
The entire shooting motion was smooth as silk!
Durant's attempt to block was too late.
The basketball traced a rainbow arc!
"Swish!"
Straight through the net.
Arjun nailed his second three-pointer of the night!
44 to 38.
The gap was quickly cut to just 6 points.
When everyone thought he was just a playmaking point guard, there he was on the perimeter, pulling off a shooter's move, not to mention, Arjun had the height of a forward.
His back-to-back threes left the fans in awe.
After the shot, Arjun continued to raise his hands in celebration.
Arjun was pumped,he could feel he was on fire today!
His consecutive threes had the UCLA Bruins' bench and assistant coaches screaming in excitement.
This game was proving to be a tough one.
Arjun and Westbrook high-fived in celebration.
"Nice work, Arjun."
"Great pass too."
They exchanged compliments.
Then, they both got back to focusing on defense.
Texas on the offense.
Durant wasn't rushing,he was ready to control the game.
Texas was still planning to play around Durant.
But Arjun started sticking to Durant right from the catch.
Durant couldn't get into a favorable position, and if Augustin risked a pass, Arjun was ready to intercept.
Augustin also showed his mental toughness, playing it safe and abandoning the idea of passing to Durant.
Arjun's defense was unexpectedly fierce.
Augustin opted for a pick-and-roll with the center, who then took the ball to drive.
Westbrook got screened and couldn't get around the block.
Arjun signaled Westbrook to switch, and he chased after Augustin.
Augustin was fast and fundamentally sound,he changed direction and burst past Arjun, who was helping on defense.
Raynor was busy battling the opposing power forward and couldn't help.
Augustin saw a clear lane to the basket.
Without hesitation, he went for a flying layup.
Augustin was thrilled,he felt this layup was almost guaranteed.
He palmed the ball, wrist flicking, sending the basketball towards the backboard.
But just as the ball was about to hit the backboard, a hand appeared, pinning the ball against it and then grabbing it!
Before Augustin could react, Arjun, having landed, immediately threw a long one-handed pass to Westbrook at midcourt.
"Run, Flash!"
Westbrook caught the ball and hit the gas, even with Durant defending, Westbrook just steamrolled with his speed.
He charged into the frontcourt.
Westbrook grabbed the ball with one hand, leaped high just before the paint!!!
He soared, bent in mid-air, delivering a ferocious tomahawk dunk!
"Boom!"
Westbrook's dunk was worth five draft spots!
Several scouts couldn't help but marvel at such talent.
Arjun's pass was sharp, but Westbrook's dunk was equally spectacular.
44 to 40.
Just a 4-point game.
This counterattack made Coach Howland scrap his plan to sub Westbrook out for Collison.
Arjun and Westbrook were proving to be a formidable duo!
Seeing Westbrook finish, Arjun turned to Augustin and said, "This isn't your turf."
Even though Augustin had gotten past Arjun, Arjun still kept up the pressure like a predator stalking its prey.
Augustin didn't respond to Arjun, just wiped the sweat from his brow.
Both were point guards, but why did the gap between them seem so vast?