The games in December quickly passed by.
The University of Kentucky maintained an undefeated record, securing a 10-game winning streak.
Zeng Xingyang has solidified his position as the sixth man of the team, with an average playing time of 21 minutes per game.
In limited playtime, Zeng Xingyang averaged 15 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block per game.
With a field goal percentage of 48%, a three-point accuracy of 50%, and a free-throw percentage of 90%, Zeng Xingyang successfully entered the NCAA’s 180 club.
Such statistics in the NCAA aren’t top-tier, but they’re not too shabby either.
Many draft prediction websites have ranked Zeng Xingyang to be selected between the 50-60 picks.
After training, Zeng Xingyang participated in an interview with the Indianapolis Sports Daily arranged by the coach.
Calipari often invites media for player interviews, which gets exposure and can boost the players’ recognition, beneficial for the draft.
In this aspect, Calipari is different from many college coaches who don’t allow reporters to interview players.
The reporter asked, "Zeng, do you think you can keep winning?"
Zeng Xingyang said, "Of course, we will keep winning until we become national champions."
The reporter asked, "Which teams do you think might concern you? Like North Carolina? Or Duke?"
Zeng Xingyang said, "I think they should be worried. We have nothing to worry about; our strength is a level above theirs. We can even challenge some NBA teams."
Zeng Xingyang has this confidence, as the Kentucky Wildcats’ rotation is almost entirely NBA-level players, with Towns and Booker being very strong players.
The whole team is riding high on morale; not to mention NCAA teams, they even dare to face off against weaker NBA teams.
The reporter was stunned upon hearing this. Is this rookie speaking so brazenly?
He looked at Calipari next to him, who just smiled and said nothing.
The reporter continued asking, "You’re predicted to be picked at the end of the second round according to some draft websites. How do you see this ranking?"
Zeng Xingyang said, "I think I deserve to be picked higher. They will see my value."
"Then what do you think your greatest value is?"
"Potential for growth!"
"Yes, before joining the Wildcats, I hadn’t received systematic training, but now I’ve become a decent shooter, and I’m continually improving in other areas. This growth potential is valuable, and I think many NBA teams want their players to have such potential."
The reporter then asked Zeng Xingyang a few more questions before wrapping up the short interview.
The report on Zeng Xingyang quickly made the news.
Some media like ESPN and TNT reprinted it.
"Crazy Kentucky claims they can beat NBA teams!"
This report described some of the University of Kentucky’s recent games, with a focus on Zeng Xingyang.
What Zeng Xingyang said about being able to beat NBA teams is very sensational. The article detailed Zeng Xingyang’s transformation from an academic ace to a member of the Wildcats, becoming one of the top shooters in the NCAA.
In conclusion, the report commented on Zeng Xingyang.
"From our interviews, we learned that Zeng Xingyang’s training intensity is the most intense among the Wildcats. He is a training fanatic, and he is very likely to be the next Chinese player to be drafted into the NBA after Yi Jianlian and Sun Yue."
This report is very fair, but ignoring other NCAA teams still sparked some dissatisfaction.
University of North Carolina.
As one of the top prestigious schools as well, the players at UNC found Zeng Xingyang’s words too arrogant.
Jackson said, "I don’t think they’re that strong. We will defeat them."
North Carolina’s starting point guard Page said, "They are too arrogant."
What do you mean their strength is a level above, and they can play against NBA teams?
Where’s the humility of a Chinese person?
We must take them down!
The University of North Carolina decided to invite the Kentucky Wildcats to their last invitational game.
The University of Kentucky wasn’t scared and accepted the challenge directly.
Whether it’s Towns, Booker, or Zeng Xingyang, their attitude is to not be convinced until they are beaten.
The showdown between the giants of Kentucky and the University of North Carolina drew external attention.
Not only NCAA fans were discussing it, but many mainstream sports media were also involved.
Thunder scout Richardson and GM Presti also came to the scene, which sparked media speculation.
The game took place at the University of North Carolina’s home stadium, with nearly 20,000 spectators in attendance.
The fans on-site were frantically shouting.
"Zeng, go back to your country; you’re not cut out for basketball."
"Towns, you look like a chihuahua."
"Devin Booker, you’re just a softie."
North Carolina fans kept trash-talking the players from Kentucky.
North Carolina has players like Justin Jackson, Brees Johnson, Marcos Page, and Tokot, who are predicted to be able to join the NBA.
This is the confidence they have to challenge Kentucky.
Amidst all the clamor from the North Carolina fans, Zeng Xingyang, warming up, wasn’t worried at all.
He checked the system panel.
[Experience: 510/5000]
[Note: Has reached NBA level!]
[Experience: 451/500]
[Remark: LV10 is the highest, referenced player: Kyrie Irving]
[Experience: 785/10000]
[Remark: Power has reached the average level of an NBA small forward]
[Remark: LV10 is the highest, referenced player: Allen Iverson.]
[Experience: 8802/10000]
[Remark: Has reached top NCAA shooter level.]
[Experience: 1320/5000]
[Remark: Positioning ability has reached NBA shooter level.]
He showed remarkable improvement last month, with experience increasing across all attributes. Even though these experiences hadn’t reached the level to upgrade, they still made him stronger.
Just with shooting, with less experience at LV3, his confidence wasn’t as high as it is now with more experience. This is very detailed.
Surveying the opponents, Zeng Xingyang recalled that many of these players were indeed selected in the NBA draft in his previous life, but in terms of fame and strength, they were far inferior to his teammates Towns and Booker.
He is entirely confident tonight to take them down.
The University of Kentucky’s starting lineup: Tyler Ulis, Booker, Zeng Xingyang, Koulistan, Towns.
Lyles sprained his ankle in the last game and needed a few days of rest, so Calipari took the opportunity to promote the highly efficient Zeng Xingyang from the bench to the starting lineup.
Though it’s Zeng Xingyang’s first time starting, he wasn’t overly excited.
His playing time was not much different from the starting players anyway.
The University of North Carolina’s starting lineup:
Point Guard: Marcos Page, height 183CM, weight 74KG, averaging 14 points and 4 assists this season.
Shooting Guard: Trey Tokot, height 198CM, weight 90KG, averaging 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists this season.
Small Forward: Justin Jackson, height 203CM, weight 110KG, averaging 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists this season.
Power Forward: Brees Johnson, height 208CM, weight 104KG, averaging 13 points and 8 rebounds this season.
Center: Kenny Mikes, height 208CM, weight 122KG, averaging 11 points and 7 rebounds this season.
North Carolina doesn’t have a clear super-star player; their players are relatively balanced in strength, with Justin Jackson predicted as the highest draft pick among them.