Chapter 42: Final Two
“If we stick to outside shooting, their second-half defense will be more targeted!” Knight said. “We must attack Oden’s defense and wear him out!”
The idea was good, but Knight overestimated the team’s driving ability and underestimated Oden’s defense.
All centers hailed as “Bill Russell reincarnated” may have flaws in offensive skills, but their defensive deterrence is always unquestionable.
Xu Ling tore through Ohio State University’s defense on his first possession of the second half: consecutive between-the-legs moves shook off Lewis, followed by a pull-up jump shot from the free throw line for the score, expanding the lead to 8 points. The cheers in Georgia Dome had not yet subsided.
Oden had already bared his fangs in the low post. He bulldozed into the paint, powering through Daryl Dora’s textbook defense to force up a shot. When this seven-foot giant’s entire arm cleared the rim, Dora desperately realized: so-called perfect defense is meaningless against absolute talent.
“Boom!”
The rim shook violently from the slam dunk, and the crowd gasped. This O’Neal-style brutal finish instantly ignited Ohio State University’s comeback charge.
In an instant, the momentum shifted.
Xu Ling drove to the basket, but Oden’s sky-covering long arms completely blocked the shooting angle. At the moment the layup rimmed out…
“Fast break!” Dan Shulman roared from the commentary table. “Oden turned the game around with defense!”
The nightmare continued. Martin Zeno tried to tear through the defense with speed, but Oden shadowed him all the way to the basket.
An even more terrifying block came two minutes later. Julius Jackson had just risen for a jumper from the right wing at 45 degrees.
Oden, who had been anchoring the paint, burst out like a phantom, his massive hand swatting the shot out of the air!
“Third block!” Shulman’s voice trembled. “Greg Oden’s defensive presence covers every corner inside the three-point line!”
“When we talk about the modern Bill Russell, what are we talking about?” Parker marveled. “Oden gave the answer! He even anticipated the passing lane before the block—that’s the scariest defensive IQ! When OSU was suppressed by TTU’s outside firepower, when Eli showed Pete Maravich-style magic, Oden taught us the simplest truth on the basketball court: defense is king!”
Great defenders can boost the confidence of offensive players because they know that even if they miss, someone has their back on defense.
Ron Lewis, who had been dominated by Xu Ling on both ends in the first half, fired his first shot of the night from beyond the three-point line.
“Swish!”
It went in!
This shot wasn’t just Lewis’s first make on eight attempts tonight; it also helped Ohio State University complete the comeback.
55 to 54.
OSU took the lead.
At that moment, Bob Knight knew his players were in disarray, so he stood up and called timeout.
For some reason, Knight’s mind flashed to a game scene—Game 6 of the 2002 NBA Western Conference Finals.
That was the darkest game in his memory, where the on-court referee single-handedly saved the crumbling Lakers dynasty. Of course, that wasn’t the point; the point was why the Lakers got beaten so badly?
Because Mike Bibby used pick-and-roll offense to execute a horrifying “execution” on O’Neal.
But would such a strategy work against Oden?
He wasn’t O’Neal; he could defend outside, and Xu Ling’s earlier drive against him had failed.
But without fundamentally solving the Oden problem, they couldn’t reverse the current situation.
OSU’s everything stemmed from Oden’s defense.
Knight was staring blankly at the tactical board, unconsciously circling Oden’s name with the marker in his hand.
“Coach.”
Xu Ling’s voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts. This Chinese kid was wiping sweat with his jersey, but his eyes were exceptionally clear, completely unaffected by Oden’s defensive intimidation.
“Let me handle Oden.”
Knight countered, “Didn’t he just block your drive?”
“Because Daryl Dora has no shooting threat,” Xu Ling said bluntly. “So Oden can safely protect the basket. We need to put in Jon.”
Knight rubbed the stubble on his chin: “Then what about our defense and rebounds?”
“Coach,” Xu Ling said with unwavering certainty, “We made the Final Four relying on offense, never defense and rebounds.”
This sentence hit Knight like a sledgehammer. He recalled the bits and pieces of the season’s journey.
“Interesting.” Knight suddenly tossed the tactical board onto the chair. “Jon! Get ready to check in!”
Then, Knight leaned close to Xu Ling and lowered his voice: “Kid, you better know what you’re doing.”
Xu Ling replied calmly: “I know how to win games, Coach. Always have.”
When the timeout-ending whistle blew, Jon Plevka headed to the scorer’s table, and the commentary table immediately buzzed: “This substitution is risky—wait, is TTU going with a five-out lineup?”
Oden frowned from the other half-court, clearly not expecting the change. Xu Ling stood at the top of the arc, lightly loosening his wrists, his eyes already locked on the seven-foot giant.
“Ridiculous!”
OSU head coach Thad Matta scorned the adjustment, because Oden could easily shred Plevka.
TTU had briefly used a five-out lineup against North Carolina in the Sweet Sixteen and gotten good results, but the situation now was different.
TTU had just been overtaken, Oden dominated on defense, and he had the lateral speed to switch onto perimeter players—and the willingness.
This move was a huge risk no matter how you looked at it, as Texas Tech University completely abandoned inside defense and rebounds.
Then, they inbounded from the sideline.
Xu Ling dribbled upcourt, and Ron Lewis immediately stuck to him, arms outstretched like a vigilant hound.
“Just stop his three-pointer…” Lewis silently recited the defensive rule in his mind.
But this time was different.
Xu Ling raised his hand in a signal, and the newly subbed Jon Plevka immediately came up for a screen. Oden had to follow out—this seven-foot giant had agility mismatched to his size; his lateral speed could embarrass many guards. On 21st-century NCAA courts, perhaps only Anthony Davis had shown more terrifying defensive coverage.
“Here we go! Eli vs. Greg Oden!” Dan Shulman shouted.
Xu Ling felt long-missed excitement. In his previous life, with average talent, he had honed small-ball skills to perfection. After time travel, he rarely used them, as worthy “name-your-poison” opponents were few.
But now, standing before him was Greg Oden—the most terrifying defensive barrier in college basketball.
“Can it work?” The thought flashed by.
The next second, Xu Ling suddenly accelerated! Oden reflexively backpedaled, only to see Xu Ling pull up with a between-the-legs hesitation, the basketball smacking the floor crisply. The seven-foot giant was caught off-guard, his balance disrupted in that instant…
Xu Ling was already airborne.
Oden lunged desperately, but it was too late. The basketball arced perfectly, under the gaze of seventy thousand eyes.
“Swish!”
The net rustling sounded like heavenly music.
“Red Raiders take the lead!” Shulman announced loudly. “Eli beats the big with small-ball outside, hitting over Oden!”
On the sideline, Knight pumped his fist hard. This “basketball fundamentalist” known for stubbornness was now cheering a rebellious tactical success.
In Texas Tech’s bottom-talent Final Four team, tradition and dogma had long been cast aside. When Xu Ling suggested pulling Oden out for isolation, Knight’s first reaction was absurdity—until he recalled the simplest basketball truth: before offensive genius, even perfect defense will eventually crumble.
“See that? That’s Bill Russell’s curse!” Knight whispered to his assistants, eyes locked on the Chinese youth on the court. “In that defense-first era, Russell ruled with blocks. But in this era…” He pointed to the three-point line. “Offense is king.”
About twenty seconds later, Ohio State University missed an outside shot.
Oden leaped like a beast, snagging the offensive rebound amid the crowd and whipping it to a teammate on the perimeter. After another miss, the seven-foot giant soared again, this time powering home a violent tip-in over Jon Plevka.
Overflowing talent flooded the paint. The super talent who became the nation’s No. 1 high schooler as a sophomore in 2005 had the No. 1 draft spot waiting and had no intention of losing to Xu Ling here.
But Xu Ling’s response came faster. He called Plevka up for another pick-and-roll, and Oden switched out without hesitation. This time, he cautiously gave half a body length of space—to guard both the drive and pull-up.
In Xu Ling’s eyes, one step of space meant considering a shot. Giving him half a step? Whatever your reasoning, take it up with my jumper!
In the instant Oden wasn’t set, Xu Ling rose up. His release was lightning-fast, the arc breathtakingly perfect. Oden stretched his long arms in vain, unable to even contest.
“Swish!”
The ball swished through crisply, the net fluttering like it was enchanted, tracing an elegant path in the air.
The game heated up, with both teams’ super rookies dominating in their own ways.
Oden ravaged the paint, his thick arms like a crane repeatedly securing rebounds, his bullying inside rendering Texas Tech University’s defense useless.
“28 points! Greg Oden scores again with his signature hook shot!” Shulman shouted excitedly. “Greg’s shooting percentage tonight is nearly 70%!”
But whenever Ohio State University tried to take the lead, Xu Ling responded with precise outside shooting. Like an elegant sniper, he constantly used Plevka’s screens to find mismatches.
Oden’s feet were agile, but against Xu Ling’s phantom changes of direction and lightning release, he still seemed overwhelmed.
“Eli hits his sixth three of the night!”
“This magical No. 1 has 35 points!”
When the clock hit the final two minutes, the score froze at 79 to 77, Texas Tech University leading by 2. Ohio State University inbounded from the baseline, Conley steadily dribbling upcourt. Everyone knew they’d give it to Oden this possession.
“Defense! Don’t let him get the ball easily!”
Knight yelled hoarsely from the sideline.
Plevka strained to hold Oden, but the monster center was like a moving wall when posting up low.
Conley’s pass landed precisely in Oden’s hands. Oden went to work in the post with a beautiful spin creating space, just as he prepared to shoot…
Xu Ling burst from the weak side, stripping the ball with a precise poke!
Texas Tech University’s fast break surged like a tide. Xu Ling hit Jackson with a no-look pass on the run, and the latter laid it in easily!
81 to 77! Lead at 4!
“Jon!” Knight shouted. “If Oden gets it again, foul him right away!”
Plevka nodded without hesitation. He knew his job was done—spacing the floor, wearing down Oden. Now, it was time to use his final value sending the beast to the free throw line.
Conley advanced the ball, time ticking away. He faked a drive, crossover dribble, but Texas Tech University’s defense was airtight. With 10 seconds left on the shot clock, he finally lobbed to Oden low.
The instant Oden caught it, he alertly scanned around.
Xu Ling’s help defense gave him chills. Confirming no ambush, he powered into a backdown, his solid shoulder staggering Plevka. Just as Oden coiled for the second effort…
“Smack!”
Plevka slapped both hands hard on Oden’s arms, whistle blowing.
“Fifth foul!” The referee signaled Plevka to the bench. The big man lumbered off gasping, high-fiving the incoming Daryl Dora. Applause rang out, then faded to silence.
Oden stepped to the free throw line.
Early season, Oden missed seven games with a right wrist injury. Upon return, he mostly played left-handed, even shooting free throws lefty. Still, he maintained 60% free throw shooting. Scouts saw this as proof of his insane ball feel: “This guy’s non-dominant hand is better than most centers.”
However, when he finally resumed right-hand usage, the numbers didn’t explode—70% free throws was an improvement, but far from deadly. Now at the line, he took a deep breath, the crowd holding its breath.
First free throw…
The ball hit the back of the rim, bounced high, and dropped through.
81 to 78.
Second free throw…
A bit too hard, clanging off the back rim!
Dora battled for position and grabbed the crucial defensive rebound!
“Great grab, D.D.!”
Dora nodded and passed to Xu Ling.
Time flew by.
Jackson and Zeno spaced to the wings, Xu Ling steadily controlling the tempo.
As the game clock entered the final minute countdown, Xu Ling raised his right hand—this would become Ohio State University’s most hated tactical signal—the damn five-out pick-and-roll again.
But that big soft white guy who only shoots is gone—what can you do?
Oden panted following out to the three-point line, sweat dripping from his chin. The seven-foot giant gritted his teeth: “Just hold for one more minute…”
But Xu Ling’s eyes said it all. This moment would show the essential difference between them.
Basketball world in 2007 was still lost in defense-first myths. Nelson’s run-and-gun Mavericks were about to suffer the black eight shame, Nash’s Suns still chasing a title. Duncan’s Spurs and Ben Wallace’s Pistons, defense-rooted teams, still ruled the league.
People always said: “Control the paint, control the world.”
But seeds of change were sown. When the 2015 Warriors won the championship, basketball rules were the same as 2007. What changed wasn’t rules, but perception.
The undervalued truth: before absolute offense, even perfect defense is futile.
Now, Xu Ling held the key to a new era.
Oden cautiously kept a step’s distance, arms wide like a moving high wall. But Xu Ling burst forward—not a drive, but a step-back to two steps beyond the three-point line!
“Is he crazy?” A sideline reporter gasped.
Oden’s pupils shrank; he lunged desperately, but too late.
The instant the ball left his hand, Xu Ling knew it was good. The arc was perfect, like an artist’s brushstroke, under the arena’s gaze.
“Swish!”
84 to 78! Lead at 6!
“Oh my God, Eli! At that moment, against Oden, how could he…”
Xu Ling backpedaled on defense, extending his right index finger toward Oden and blowing gently.
Little time left; Ohio State University had to push.
Mike Conley dribbled frantically outside, chaining crossovers to barely create space. The point guard who fed Oden all night now shouldered the offense. However…
“Bang!”
The ball clanged off the back rim. But Ohio State University’s hope wasn’t dashed—their giant was still under the basket.
Talent’s crush was ruthless; though Daryl Dora had better position, Oden exploded with terrifying power under the pressure, leaping to rip the offensive rebound from over Dora’s head.
Daryl Dora had position locked, but Oden brute-forced the rebound from over his head with raw explosiveness.
Ohio State University fans began screaming; they knew Oden would finish with a destructive dunk. But…
On landing, Oden habitually tucked the ball to his gut—a bad habit from high school. Now, it was fatal. Despite two prior steals by Xu Ling, in crunch time, muscle memory beat vigilance.
When Xu Ling’s shadow flashed like a ghost, Oden’s heart sank.
“Smack!”
“Eli!” Dan Shulman roared in disbelief. “He stole the ball from Greg Oden’s hands again!”
39 seconds left, down 6, key possession stolen—what now?
Oden chased like a vengeful ghost.
His speed was terrifying!
Was this a seven-foot giant’s speed?
In a flash, he caught Xu Ling from behind; both hit the paint and leaped simultaneously.
But at the last moment, Xu Ling flicked his wrist, lobbing the ball softly backward and upward.
Trailing Daryl Dora roared like a wounded beast leaping up. The big man brutalized by Oden all night now burned with revenge.
The talent gap was so ironic: if Oden’s talent was 100, Dora maxed at 70. But now out of position, Oden became the backdrop, watching the “weaker” one deliver judgment.
“BOOMMMMMMMMMM!”
Dora’s two-handed slam thundered through the arena. His knee smashed Oden’s unbalanced body; this dunk not only crushed Ohio State University’s championship dream but ended Oden’s dominance all night.
Under 30 seconds left, 8-point gap.
No suspense left, but Ohio State University called timeout.
Soon, the timeout-ending whistle pierced; Ohio State University players returned grim-faced. The air in Georgia Dome felt solidified; Texas Tech University fans stood ready for victory celebration, while Ohio State University supporters silently prayed for a miracle.
But miracles didn’t belong to Columbus tonight.
Mike Conley took the baseline inbound, no hesitation, sprinting full throttle upcourt. Time was the enemy. He didn’t even organize a proper offense; just past half-court, facing Jackson’s tight pressure, he flung up a desperate step-back.
All eyes followed the struggling flight of the basketball.
“Bang!”
It hit the front rim and bounced weakly.
Under the basket, Daryl Dora used his last strength to box out the shell-shocked Oden, leaping high to embrace the game-sealing defensive rebound like a lover.
“Mine!” he roared, passing to Xu Ling jogging over.
4 seconds left.
Ohio State University players gave up fouling. Conley hands-on-hips, gasping; Oden slowly straightened, staring blankly at the No. 1 who controlled the ball and his destiny.
Xu Ling didn’t attack; he stood outside, one hand on the ball, letting the final seconds tick.
“Beep!”
Final buzzer echoed through the arena!
Georgia Dome was instantly swallowed by a red sea!
Texas Tech University reserves rushed the court like madmen, mobbing Xu Ling and Dora; Coach Knight unusually tossed his tactical board, pumping his arms and hugging assistants tightly.
“Yes, you heard right—Texas Tech University Red Raiders defeat southern champion Ohio State University 86-78, advancing to the National Championship Game as the final two of the 2006-07 NCAA season!”
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News Reports
ESPN: 《Katz’s Take—Eli Xu’s March Madness Ends the Oden Era with Threes and Guts》
Author: Andy Katz
Published: April 1, 2007
Atlanta, Georgia Dome—When the final buzzer sounded, I bet the entire Ohio State University bench was filled with disbelief. They were beaten in a way they never imagined. Texas Tech University, deemed the weakest Final Four team, sent the “generational talent” Greg Oden’s Ohio State University home with an 86-78 score. And it all came from that Chinese freshman—Eli Xu.
Associated Press: 《Xu Ling Dominates with Precise Shooting and Key Steals, Texas Tech Beats Oden to Finals》
Author: Joel Thorn
Published: April 1, 2007
In a clash of rookie geniuses, Xu Ling dominated with precise outside shooting and key steals, leading Texas Tech University to an 86-78 win over Greg Oden and a ticket to the National Championship Game.
Sina Sports Headline: 《Chinese Prodigy Xu Ling Drops 38 to Topple Emperor Oden! Texas Tech Upsets Ohio State, First-Ever NCAA Finals Berth》
Author: Zhang Bo
Published: April 1, 2007
When the final score hit 86-78, seventy thousand in Georgia Dome witnessed NCAA history’s most shocking “David vs. Goliath”—Chinese freshman Xu Ling shattered No. 1 center Greg Oden’s championship dream with 6 threes and 4 key steals, leading Texas Tech University to their first-ever NCAA finals!
Netizen Hot Takes
@Tianchao IQ King:
Xu Ling is this year’s No. 1 pick! Oden who? King Xu shoots him full of holes with any three! See that? IQ crush! All that talent hype is paper tiger against King Xu! Next vs. Florida? Xu Ling drops 50 to explode Noah + Horford! Next year King Xu to Lakers replacing Kobe as boss! Yao Ming can go home sell insurance! With King Xu, Chinese Men’s National Basketball Team Olympic silver at worst! Tremble, USA Dream Team!
@Luoyang Blooms:
Xu Ling’s game is modern basketball’s answer! Speed, shooting, clutch—100x better than some big dummy! Begging you Xu Ling, don’t join national team! That slow-ass set play from Yao-something will turn you into another Liu Wei—lesson learned! Pair with that big dummy? Wait for his fans to flame “no passing”! For your future, stay away from Yao core!
@Rational Ball Watcher 886:
Xu Ling was beast this game, but don’t overhype! Oden’s 28+22 real monster stats, TTU won on gimmicks + Oden FTs and teammates sucking. In NBA, Xu Ling needs muscle first! Current physicality maybe not even Chen Jianghua level, template at best Ginobili. National team, Yao + Xu theoretically complement, but old coach’s tactical board is inside-out only—no space for him.
@Wangzai Cowboy My Favorite:
Xu Ling is Chinese pride! What’s with haters dissing him? Kneeling to foreigners too long?! Oden trash hyped by Yanks! Xu Ling smashing him brings glory to Chinese! Liu Wei Chen Jianghua types dare compare to King Xu? Can’t stand good Chinese PG? You’re foreign puppets! Anyone badmouth Xu Ling is rare breed! Wait, Xu Ling to NBA next year takes MVP, glory to nation!
