Wang Junjie says he’s “jealous”: the coach’s constant push and real opportunities unlock Lin Wei at his best—23 points showcasing his value as a combo guard.

Oregon lost 85–88 to Rutgers in overtime, but the game still delivered something important: the best version of Lin Wei we’ve seen this season. He had been struggling with efficiency for much of the year, often missing shots in bunches. This time, though, he played 33 minutes, went 8-for-14 from the field, hit 6 of 12 threes, and finished with 23 points and 5 assists—an explosive combination of volume and efficiency. Most importantly, he drilled a game-tying three late in regulation to force overtime.

Since joining the NCAA this season, Lin’s most consistent value has actually been his playmaking. It’s close to top-tier within the team, and that’s largely why he has earned steady minutes and gradually settled into the pace of college basketball. Even in this breakout scoring game, his playmaking stayed solid: 5 assists is basically his “floor.” What stands out is how much he has improved in reading defenses and making decisions—his processing looks sharper than before.

Lin has always had scoring talent, but for various reasons he hasn’t been able to convert that talent into reliable production. The good news is that his three-point shooting finally showed up in a big way—exactly the kind of efficiency he needs to maintain. He had a reputation as a shooter back in the CBA, and even in private workouts and scrimmages, the coaching staff has repeatedly emphasized that his shot is better than what the early-season numbers suggested. This game finally looked like his practice level translating to real competition.

Credit also goes to the head coach for continuing to trust him. Lin had multiple rough stretches this season, and the coach didn’t hide it—he criticized Lin publicly and pointed out the areas that needed fixing. But despite that, Lin kept getting meaningful minutes and room to make mistakes, which is crucial for development. In this game, he truly looked like a combo guard—creating for others, scoring efficiently, and taking big shots—something that doesn’t happen without that kind of coaching support.

That’s why Wang Junjie’s situation feels frustrating by comparison. He seems to get pulled immediately after any mistake, with almost zero margin for error. Over time, that can hurt a young player’s confidence and decisiveness—especially against strong opponents where opportunities are already limited. Lin is fortunate to have been trusted through the ups and downs, and hopefully he can build on this performance and keep unlocking his ceiling.