The games in the 64-to-32 bracket were held simultaneously, so Marquette University and Xavier University didn't attract much attention at the outset. Aside from some students from the participating schools, only a few scouts were present, specifically those interested in players like Wade and David West.
It's said that the NCAA Tournament is hugely popular in the United States, so much so that even the NBA adjusts its schedule around it. However, this is mainly true for the later stages of the tournament. With 64 teams in the first round and 32 in the second, many of the early games don't draw significant media coverage.
Nonetheless, for the players on the court, these games were crucial. Each team was eager to advance to the top 32, and every moment mattered.
Wang Chong observed the Xavier University players from the sidelines. As expected, aside from David West, none of the Xavier players were familiar to him.
This was good news; it meant that apart from West, Xavier didn't have any other future NBA players on their roster.
Previously, Wade was the only NBA-caliber player at Marquette, but now Wang Chong had joined that elite category.
As Wang Chong scanned the opposition, Xavier University's players were also scrutinizing Marquette.
David West spotted Wang Chong almost immediately. There was no missing him—standing 2.08 meters tall, Wang Chong was the tallest player on Marquette's team, making him stand out significantly.
"Is he my opponent today? He looks like a skinny bamboo pole. He'll definitely fall if I touch him," West thought. He then glanced at Wade. "It doesn't matter who else is on the court. We need to focus on limiting that guy. He's too fast!"
Little did West know that this approach would come at a steep price.
The referee signaled for the players to take their positions for the jump ball. Wang Chong and West approached the center circle.
As the referee blew the whistle and tossed the ball into the air, West crouched and leaped, determined to win the tip-off.
However, Wang Chong's long arms reached up and knocked the ball away, giving Marquette University the possession.
"What long arms!" West was momentarily startled, his eyes widening.
Previously, he had only briefly glanced at Wang Chong and hadn't paid close attention. Now he realized that Wang Chong's wingspan was remarkably impressive, exceeding 2.2 meters.
In the future, with the rise of basketball prodigies, having a wingspan of more than 2.28 meters will become a norm. Those with wingspans over 2.3 meters are regarded as exceptional, like the rare Giannis Antetokounmpo, who, at 2.24 meters tall, has a wingspan of 2.44 meters.
Wang Chong's wingspan of 2.24 meters was already considered extraordinary. For comparison, David West, who stood at 2.08 meters, was praised for his 2.2-meter wingspan.
West's wingspan, while impressive, fell short of Wang Chong's. Furthermore, West's jumping ability, a traditional weakness for him, was no match for Wang Chong's. Though Durant's jumping ability was also not top-notch, it was outstanding among players of his height, and Wang Chong's current jumping ability of 65 was sufficient to outmatch West in the tip-off.
Wade received the ball and quickly moved up the court, stopping just outside the three-point line. He assessed the opposing defense and quickly understood their strategy.
Xavier University had clearly studied game footage, especially focusing on their key player, and had set up their defense accordingly.
The player assigned to defend Wade was positioned well behind him, reminiscent of the defense Wang Chong had faced in their one-on-one match. However, unlike that scenario, Wade would now face not just one but two defenders—West, ready to assist from the paint, and the defender assigned to Wade, positioned to provide backup.
Previously, Wade might have found this setup challenging and would have had to employ alternative strategies, such as accelerating the game's tempo to create chaos and then exploiting his agility to counterattack.
But now, things were different.
Wade, standing at the top of the three-point line, extended his hand and made a tactical signal.
Wang Chong promptly moved out from the paint to set a pick for Wade.
With Wang Chong's pick-and-roll assistance, Wade drove towards the basket. Anticipating this move, West stepped up to block Wade. Meanwhile, Wade's original defender attempted to close in from behind.
The Xavier University coach watched with a satisfied smile.
"Marquette can only rely on Wade for their offense. As long as we can neutralize him, the game will be ours," he mused.
Before he could fully savor his confidence, his expression froze. Wade, having reached the basket, didn't force a shot against West's defense as expected. Instead, he passed the ball backward.
Wang Chong, having set the pick, hadn't rushed to the basket. Instead, he took a few steps back, positioning himself just outside the free-throw line, about 22 feet from the hoop.
Wade's pass was precise, landing perfectly in Wang Chong's hands.
"What's he planning?" The Xavier coach wondered as Wang Chong jumped and took a mid-range shot. The basketball sailed through the air and swished through the net.
2:0! Marquette University took the lead, and a small group of Marquette students cheered and clapped.
Wade and Wang Chong celebrated with a high-five as they retreated.
This pick-and-roll tactic was developed after discovering that Wang Chong had a reliable mid-range shot.
Although the tactic had been practiced only a few times and required some refinement, the exceptional skills of Wade and Wang Chong made it one of Marquette University's most straightforward, direct, and effective strategies.
The pick-and-roll allowed Wade to either drive or pass to Wang Chong for a mid-range shot. If the opponents focused on defending Wang Chong, Wade would have a higher chance of scoring in one-on-one situations under the basket.
Moreover, as a guard, Wade's defenders would struggle to match his speed. After the pick-and-roll, Wang Chong would be paired against an opponent guard. Most NCAA guards, including shooting guards, are around 1.9 meters tall, which pales in comparison to Wang Chong's 2.08 meters. In the NBA draft, shooting guards around 1.98 meters or 2 meters tall are a minority. Each year, only a few shooting guards from the NCAA tournament are selected for the NBA.
Even against Wade's defense, Wang Chong's height gave him a significant shooting advantage, especially since he was a guard shorter than Wade.
Despite its simplicity, the pick-and-roll tactic proved nearly impossible to counter when backed by such talent!
End of this chapter