Since Tony Delk didn't fall for it, Heximon had no interest in forcing a breakthrough with a solo attack. After advancing to the three-point line, Heximon originally intended to pass directly to Duncan in the low post. However, as expected, the University of Kentucky team double-teamed Duncan.
Mark Pope was behind Duncan, pinning him, while Anthony Walker was in front, disrupting Duncan's ability to receive the pass. The two tried to isolate Duncan from his teammates.
Seeing that a direct pass wouldn't work, Heximon called for a high pick-and-roll from Rusty. As he screened Tony Delk, Heximon spun through the gap between Tony Delk and Derek Anderson, drove to the three-point line in one step, and headed towards the right side of the basket!
Anthony Walker defended cautiously, not rushing to double-team immediately. Only after Heximon jumped did he fly over, intending to disrupt Heximon's layup. As a result, Anthony Walker underestimated Heximon's hang time. In mid-air, Heximon executed a pull-up maneuver and scooped the ball low to Duncan, who was also under the basket. Duncan caught the ball, turned around, and slammed it with one arm over the head of Anthony Walker, who was descending, for a dunk!
A small portion of the crowd cheered, while the majority gasped.
Of the fans attending this game, the number of University of Kentucky supporters was greater than that of Wake Forest University.
This could be seen from the cheers during the players' entrance ceremony of the two teams.
Duncan's play simply confirmed this prior speculation.
In other words, for this game, Wake Forest University was essentially playing an away game.
The difficulty seemed to have increased a bit more...
Turning around, Tony Delk advanced the ball past half-court. Heximon originally thought he would attempt a solo drive, but to his surprise, Tony Delk selflessly passed the ball to Anthony Walker in the low post. Anthony Walker played power forward for this Kentucky team, but he was actually a more important playmaker than Tony Delk!
As long as the head coach willed it, the current Anthony Walker could play all positions for the team, from point guard to center. Anthony Walker was omnipotent, hailed as the most versatile big man in NCAA basketball at the time...
On this play, after receiving the ball, Anthony Walker didn't rush a shot. Instead, he dribbled with his back to the basket against Wake Forest's power forward, Ricky. After drawing a double-team from Jerry on the same side, he passed the ball to Ron Mercer on the outside!
Ron Mercer caught the ball and shot a long two-pointer, which was good! Anthony Walker recorded an assist.
"Big men who can pass are so troublesome..."
Heximon muttered as he dribbled the ball forward.
The University of Kentucky team continued to deny Heximon direct passes to Duncan. Therefore, Heximon tried to move the ball among his teammates on the perimeter, hoping to find another angle to get the ball to Duncan.
After all, Coach Dave Odom's strategy was to get the ball to their inside player, Duncan, at all costs. Because he firmly believed that Duncan was invincible...
Duncan was indeed an invincible presence in the NCAA at this time. Wake Forest University knew this, and so did the University of Kentucky. That's why they were cutting off Duncan's connection with his teammates without hesitation...
Wake Forest couldn't find any good passing opportunities and almost had the ball stolen. Fortunately, Heximon reacted quickly. After Ron Mercer intercepted the pass, he successfully stole the ball back and, in the ensuing chaos, pulled up for a shot and hit a three-pointer!
Turning around, on the Kentucky side, Tony Delk still looked for Anthony Walker. Then, using a teammate's off-ball screen, he shook off Heximon's defense and cut into Wake Forest's paint!
Anthony Walker passed the ball immediately. Tony Delk received it and faced Duncan under the basket. He didn't dare to take off immediately, fearing his dunk would be blocked. Instead, he held the ball and controlled it, drawing Duncan to overcommit. Then, with a move similar to a "rocking horse" feint, he drove further under the basket. Finally, under the threat of Duncan, he threw up a high lob and made the shot!
To be honest, in the NCAA tournament up to this point, this was the first time Heximon had seen a point guard directly challenge Duncan without flinching!
Tony Delk's ability to reach the Final Four of the 1996 NCAA tournament...
Duncan's best option now would be to move to the high post and break through Kentucky's concentrated defense. However, Dave Odom on the sideline wouldn't allow it! He kept shouting at Duncan, "Bravely sink to the low post..."
"Well, it's not you playing on the court, is it? Try taking the pushes from Mark Pope and Anthony Walker and sinking down to the basket. The key is, if I sink that deep, how am I supposed to pass the ball?"
Heximon was constantly complaining about Coach Odom's tactics internally, but he restrained himself from changing the strategy. After all, judging by the situation on the court at the moment, the two teams were still in a stalemate, and Wake Forest was not at a disadvantage. But Heximon, on the court, could feel the team's problems more clearly... His anticipation was actually more precise than Coach Odom's from the sidelines...
Since direct passes weren't working, Heximon could only call for a screen from Rusty and drive into the opponent's paint to look for an opportunity. However, the University of Kentucky would rather give Heximon a chance to attack the rim than a chance to connect with Duncan.
On this play, Anthony Walker's help defense was even later than on the first play... Heximon couldn't pass the ball even if he wanted to, so he was forced to attempt a solo drive...
The University of Kentucky clearly underestimated Heximon's ability to drive and score.
Anthony Walker was clearly defending Duncan, not Heximon.
And Ron Mercer, rotating from the corner, intended to guard Heximon one-on-one. However, Heximon successfully made the basket with a low-hand layup!
"Is Kentucky testing Heximon's scoring ability?" Dave Odom on the sidelines was a bit bewildered. "This pace isn't Wake Forest's usual rhythm... If Duncan can't get going, can Heximon carry the entire team's offensive burden?"
Coach Dave Odom was worried. "Should I call a timeout and re-emphasize passing to Tim?"
Heximon didn't mind. Although he preferred the sense of control that came with orchestrating plays through assists compared to the aggressive drive of scoring, if the team needed it and there was no injury risk, he didn't mind using his scoring to help the team win...