SOD | Chapter 118

Nie Chuan almost burst out laughing. What was going on in Larvin’s head? “Of course, I hope you win, you idiot!”

A minute later, Nie Chuan received another message from Larvin: “Whatever, just keep your eyes open.”

Nie Chuan put away his phone, guessing that Larvin was either nervous facing a strong opponent or excited about the challenge. Definitely the latter, knowing him.

Compared to DK’s fans, AZU’s cheerleaders were massive, with rhythmic chants.

Their waves of cheers made Nie Chuan worry if Larvin could focus in such an environment.

Larvin was listening to the coach, and the whole team was like a bowstring pulled taut.

Looking at the other team, Sethston was smiling and talking to Ben, who immediately turned and waved excitedly at Nie Chuan, eyes wide.

This surprised Nie Chuan since he hadn’t even spoken to Ben before.

“Ben Robbins is the top sharpshooter in the league,” Reese said.

Nie Chuan swallowed. He’d seen last year’s game tapes; Ben Robbins was a monster. Nearly a third of AZU’s points in each game were scored by him. Most of the time, Sethston didn’t aggressively drive to the basket; he perfectly fulfilled his role as a point guard, skillfully controlling the game’s rhythm.

If AZU were a special forces unit, Sethston would be the strategist, and Ben Robbins the most precise and unpredictable sniper.

Looking at Ben’s childlike face, Nie Chuan couldn’t imagine him as the expert who could score effortlessly from any angle, even from mid-court. Not just the shooting distance, but his release speed was also the fastest in the league.

“Sethston, did you see? Nie Chuan waved at me! He noticed me!”

“Anyone who doesn’t notice you is blind, and waving is just being polite,” Sethston chuckled.

“Since Nie Chuan’s here to watch me, I have to perform well! Sethston, pass to me more!”

“Depends on your positioning,” Sethston said, moving on to discuss final strategies with the coach.

His calm smile made Nie Chuan uneasy. He knew Sethston wasn’t underestimating UFR; any team in the top four was exceptional, with only slight differences between them.

His composure came from confidence. Nie Chuan knew Sethston’s ball-handling, speed, explosiveness, and skills were at the NCAA’s peak. If not for opponents like Reese or Larvin, his expression would be more lazy than composed.

Ben, doing his final warm-ups, kept glancing at Nie Chuan, who had to smile back.

“Nie Chuan, since when did you get chummy with Ben Robbins?” Carlo leaned over.

“Huh? No, I’m not familiar with him…” Nie Chuan scratched his head. He didn’t know why Ben Robbins was so happy to see him.

“Nie Chuan, watch this game closely. AZU’s strength isn’t just Sethston and Ben,” Reese reminded.

He rarely interfered with Nie Chuan’s understanding and analysis, so when he spoke, it meant Nie Chuan needed to pay attention.

Larvin looked at Nie Chuan, nodding his chin, and Nie Chuan gave him a thumbs-up.

The jump ball began, players in position, and Nie Chuan felt like he was on the court, his heart pounding in his ears.

The centers from both teams were equally tall, renowned in the league. Nie Chuan pressed his lips, feeling tense.

Which team would take the lead?

In an instant, both centers leaped, reaching impressive heights.

Nie Chuan’s eyes widened. This was no longer about explosiveness and reaction but strength!

With a “thud,” UFR’s center slapped the ball down, landing near Larvin.

Well done! Nie Chuan cheered internally. Larvin quickly turned with the ball, smoothly dodging AZU’s small forward, Bracey. But unexpectedly, Sethston was already beside Larvin, matching his speed, which shocked Nie Chuan.

Sethston somehow slipped to Larvin’s dribbling side, maintaining his unique rhythm, forcing opponents to stop and then striking when they changed direction.

Surprisingly, Larvin didn’t pass to the other side. He seemed to have practiced countless times, sidestepping Sethston’s steal attempt, accelerating past him!

Nie Chuan’s eyes widened, mentally breaking down Larvin’s moves frame by frame. Just as Larvin was about to break free, Sethston shadowed him again, like a shadow. Larvin’s elegant drive was stifled, forcing him to pass to the supporting point guard.

UFR’s point guard was also top-notch, with quick feints and probing steps. In a blink, he broke past AZU’s power forward, Edgar, heading for the basket. But AZU’s center, nicknamed “The Rock,” leaped up. A forced layup would be blocked for sure.

UFR’s point guard twisted his body at the last moment, awkwardly but successfully passing to Larvin.

Larvin flew in to catch the ball, and Nie Chuan shouted internally: Give them an aerial dunk!

A figure flashed, arrogantly intercepting the ball from Larvin.

It was Sethston!

Nie Chuan craned his neck. How was this possible?

Sethston’s speed sent chills down Nie Chuan’s spine.

Sethston was already charging towards UFR, with Larvin in hot pursuit.

It was Nie Chuan’s first time seeing Larvin run so fast; their speeds were evenly matched. But Nie Chuan didn’t overlook that Sethston was not only dribbling at high speed but also weaving through two UFR defenders in a blink.

His timing and ball control were unparalleled.

The sports reporters around were already in a trance.

UFR’s center rushed forward, and with Larvin closing in, Sethston didn’t flinch. He leaped, ball in hand, feinting with his shoulder, and slipped the ball past the center’s right arm into the basket!

Larvin was impressive, his fingers just a centimeter from Sethston’s ball.

Nie Chuan knew Sethston’s shot was risky, and he could have passed to Ben Robbins, but he chose to score himself. It wasn’t just to show off to Larvin; he relished the thrill of a high-stakes duel.

AZU scored the first point, and Sethston turned, smiling at Larvin, “Pretty fast.”

Ben, however, was unhappy, “I was in the best position! Why didn’t you pass to me?”

“I could score myself, why pass to you?” Sethston dashed off.

UFR’s point guard dribbled, facing off against AZU’s small forward, Bracey.

This time, Bracey was prepared for UFR’s point guard’s speed, pressing tightly, leaving no room for a breakthrough. Just as the opponent had to pass, Bracey decisively shifted, intercepting the ball.

AZU regained control, and Bracey’s drive showcased a top-tier small forward’s level, cutting through two defenders reminded Nie Chuan of Reese.

Bracey fearlessly switched from a layup to a dunk, showing his decisive style.

Nie Chuan could imagine the loud sound when the ball went in.

But the loud sound came from Larvin’s block!

Larvin’s leap and hang time left Nie Chuan in awe. After swatting the ball away, he sprinted, facing Sethston’s block, passing to a teammate without hesitation, then circling back to receive the ball, charging into the basket.

This time, both jumped almost simultaneously. Sethston seemed to have calculated the direction and force, avoiding a foul, yet his right hand was about to poke the ball away from Larvin’s face.

Nie Chuan held his breath, sweating for Larvin.

Luckily, Larvin used his shoulder’s strength to accelerate, sending the ball into the basket.

Cheers erupted, and Nie Chuan finally exhaled.

Larvin’s shot was dangerously close.

The game maintained a fast pace, with rapid changes in offense and defense, and the score alternated quickly.

Larvin was strong, but against Sethston, there seemed to be a slight gap.

Sethston kept AZU’s lead at eleven points, unable to be breached.

“Keeping this gap, UFR is already better than I thought,” Carlo said. “If it were last year’s us, we’d be at this level too.”

“I’m more worried about the next quarter. Ben Robbins hasn’t even started yet.”

Ewin’s words made Nie Chuan anxious.

“Not only that, Larvin seems evenly matched with Sethston in the first half, but it feels like Sethston is trying to wear him out. After all, Larvin is UFR’s ace,” Heishan pointed out.

Nie Chuan’s brows furrowed tighter. Larvin’s breathing was noticeably heavy, while Sethston, though tired, was in much better shape.

Hang in there, Larvin.