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Chapter 112 The New Season Begins

After half a month of preparation, the 2008-09 NCAA season is finally about to start.Top teams like North Carolina and Duke will participate in some officially recognized invitational tournaments before the start of the season, but for Arizona State University, which had a mediocre record last season, invitational tournaments are waived, so at least they can have more The running-in time allows the players to have a chemical reaction.

During this period of joint training, Xu Hao's performance was naturally the most eye-catching. Even the picky teammates have to admit that it is a very wise decision for this Chinese youth to play the starting point guard in the new season.Coach Evans is even more confident. In his opinion, the backcourt combination of Xu Hao and Harden is definitely the top in the country. It is not difficult at all to achieve a better record.

Hayward is also gradually making people look up to him.Although Xu Hao's training plan seemed hell-like at all, Hayward gritted his teeth and persisted, and the muscle lines of his arms and calves began to become clear.Of course, he still can't stand the big man's post-up singles in the paint, but at least he won't fall like a paper man like before.

In the last training before the start of the season, Coach Evans directly announced the starting lineup for the new season: point guard Xu Hao, shooting guard Harden, small forward Cooks, power forward Hayward, and center Ayers.In fact, originally Evans wanted Hayward to play small forward, but the team really didn't have many inside players. The only center, Eric Boateng, was exactly the same height as Ayers, and his personal data was very average, so he could only play as a substitute. Okay, I have no choice but to let Hayward take the fourth position.

In fact, Hayward said he was a power forward, but in fact he still spends a long time on the outside, mostly inside to help Ailes grab rebounds. Strictly speaking, the Arizona State University lineup is still one big and four small, but the average height is higher than last season. Just a little higher.

Although they do not participate in the warm-up match, according to the NCAA schedule, the first thing each team has to play is the preseason game.Unlike the NBA, the NCAA's preseason games are more important. At this stage, the team will play against teams from other divisions. The results of the game will not be included in the subsequent league results. The main purpose is to run the team, check the training effect, and observe new players.

Arizona State's first opponent is Mississippi Valley State from the Southwest Athletic League, an unknown team.According to the intelligence collected by Evans, only three of the opponent's team scored in double figures, and their performance was not strong.

It stands to reason that there is no problem for Arizona State University to beat such an opponent, but before the game started, Evans still habitually lectured the players: "This is your first game of the new season, although it is not included in the final record, but if you can't even beat this opponent, I can hardly believe that you can play a particularly good performance in the regular season."

"Warriors, go on the field and tear them apart! Play the tactics we practiced before, and it will be easy to take them down. But I want to see a big victory, and I can win by 20 points instead of just 19 points. Do you understand everything?"

"Understood!" The locker room roared loudly, every Arizona State player's eyes were burning with fighting spirit, and they couldn't wait to prove their strength in the game.Xu Hao couldn't help clenching his fists secretly. This was his first official NCAA game, and if he wanted to conquer everyone, he had to show an impeccable performance.

While waiting to play in the player tunnel, Harden touched Xu Hao's shoulder and asked with a smile: "Are you nervous? See your arms are shaking. It's okay, it was the same when I first appeared on the court." , get used to it."

Xu Hao took a deep breath, shook his head and said, "No, I'm not nervous, I'm just excited. This kind of game atmosphere is really great. I can't wait to play my best in front of the fans. !"

"Damn!" Harden muttered depressingly, "You are such a lunatic, you are simply too perverted!"

At the beginning of the game, Ailes helped Arizona State University get the first wave of possession by virtue of its unparalleled height advantage.No way, although he is a power forward swinging to the fifth position, the player configuration of Mississippi Valley State University is more extreme than that of Arizona State University. They have no inside line at all. The team's first height is 2.03 meters. For them Ayres is a giant.

Xu Hao avoided the opponent's press, quickly dribbled the ball across the half court, and saw Harden sneaking to the baseline for the first time.Before the opponent had time to organize the defense, Xu Hao sent the ball to Harden with a high throw, and the latter made a layup.

Harden, who helped the team open the first record, was smiling. When he led the team alone last season, he played pick-and-rolls with Ayers at most. Where has he ever been so comfortable?Xu Hao's pass timing and height are just right, Harden is completely in an empty position, even if the opponent wants to defend, they can only sigh.

In the next game, Xu Hao completely turned into the team's brain, controlling the rhythm and connecting the team's offense.In addition to Harden, Ayers was also able to receive his pass from time to time, and had a great time eating cakes.With the full play of their three core players, Arizona State took a 10-point lead in less than 15 minutes.

Compared with Xu Hao, Hayward's performance was somewhat unsatisfactory. His first few shots were all ironed, and one of them was hit by the opponent in a transition attack.But Xu Hao did not give up on him, but chose to pass the ball to him in a more comfortable position, and finally warmed Hayward's touch slowly, and the latter finally recovered his training in the second half of the first half time status.

Arizona State's fluent offense made the fans hooked, and the ceiling of the entire arena seemed to be lifted by cheers.However, Xu Hao himself did not take too many shots. He usually acted as a shooter who catches and shoots from the outside when Harden holds the ball, throwing those balls that cannot hit the basket into the basket. Most of the time he I still like to organize offenses.

Arizona State led by nearly 30 points at halftime, and morale at Mississippi Valley State had plummeted to a very low level.In order to allow the main players to rest more, Evans simply replaced them all and let the substitute players finish the last eight or nine minutes.Even so, Arizona State still won a big victory 9-95.

The most eye-catching player in the game was naturally Harden who received many assists from Xu Hao. He personally scored 31 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Insider Ayres scored a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. .Xu Hao's data is not too bad. Although he only scored 12 points, he sent 15 assists and 4 steals, overfulfilling the task.

(End of this chapter)