Oscar Tshiebwe did not have an open path to the basket often at LSU. (UK Athletics Photo)
Oscar Tshiebwe has set a high bar for himself at Kentucky. He was 4-for-9 from the field and had eight points at LSU in Tuesday night’s 65-60 loss at LSU. He had 13 rebounds — about three less than his nation-leading average.
Yet Kentucky coach John Calipari noted what a difficult time Tshiebwe had catching and grabbing the ball like he normally does and that impacted UK’s offense. It also hurt that Tshiebwe only played 29 minutes after sitting out about half of the first half after picking up two fouls.
“Oscar wasn’t catching the balls that he always catches. They (LSU defenders) were just reaching over and tipping them away,” Calipari said after the game. “And so when we did try to throw it to him, I think we had three or four turnovers on that.
“How about reach for the ball? Like you don’t wait for the ball to come to you, because that’s when the guy goes over your back and tips it away.”
What Calipari didn’t mention was that LSU normally double-teamed Tshiebwe with its switching defenses and seemed to put a body on him every play. He was nudged, pushed and/or shoved a bit and it did seem to bother him at times.
“The kids fought. There was a lot of physicalness,” Calipari said. “Guys were getting knocked around … mostly our guys. But they hung in and gave themselves a chance.”
Calipari didn’t second guess not playing Tshiebwe the final 11 minutes in the first half that ended with UK trailing 35-30.
“If the game was getting away from us I would have put him back in,” Calipari said. “As long as I could say we were going into halftime with a chance to win, I was good. If the game was getting away, I would have put him back in.”
Calipari also noted that Lance Ware, who had two points and three rebounds in 12 minutes, was “playing great basketball” even though he went 0-for-4 from the field.
“Lance has been really working, spending extra time in the gym,” Calipari said. “That’s why I was surprised he missed all those three throws.”
20 Responses
Calipari should be careful on calling out Oscar. Oscar has been the heart of this team. The whole team got mauled in that game. If you expect them to play through that, you need to start practice like that. It got into their heads and that is what caused the poor free throw shooting. Davion was the only player who kept his head, everyone else played scared those last 2 minutes. There will be more games like this for sure. Can we toughen up enough to play through it?
Very good comment. Calipari is so predictable and these coaches know it.
I agree that was dirty defense against wheeler,regardless LSU is dirty and have a dirty coach
Amen
How is he still coaching!!!
I think we CAN toughen up to play through rougher play. But, Cal is going to have to allow an extra foul before benching a guy. Otherwise, you’re sending a conflicting message. We have to trust Oscar, especially, to play smarter with fouls. Give him a longer leash in the first half.
Same old Calipari old fashioned basketball everything he does is predictable.
UK lost it on the free throw line, and for Coach leaving Tshiebwe on the bench to long in the first half is the other reason. Then Calipari throws him under the bus by saying he couldn’t catch the ball. Really Coach? With out Oacar Tshiebwe, this UK team would be lost. From what I saw, his teammates couldn’t get the ball to him due him being double teamed all night.
LSU kept mugging Oscar all night too and no fouls called. I also hated to see Wheeler take the lick he took. Yeah Wade, it was unfortunate for sure. That kind of play should be outlawed in basketball. If they want to play football, get on the football team. Someone on UK’s team should have warned Wheeler about that screen.
Championship teams never shoot 50% from the line. PERIOD
Ask Joe B
It was a 100% legal and clean screen to help the guard get across the time line. His head didn’t even touch Reid. He flopped and hit his own head on the floor. Stop crying.
He did NOT flop Mr genius. He got blown up by the pick. Please stfu up your noise.
Oscar is a man among boys, and the formula to defeat this team has been known (and actually discussed by Calipari) or several weeks. Double team Oscar, take him out of the game with early fouls, and make the boys beat you from the perimeter.
As this team moves deeper into the SEC schedule, this we will see this formula implemented by opponents like Tennessee, Alabama, Auburn, LSU, and perhaps 1 or 2 others.
This team is not a championship contender. It has never been one, and it is doubtful that it can transform itself into one.
The real season does not begin until game 18.
Who knows why Calipari singled out Oscar in this manner, but it is clear that Oscar is not one of his favored few.
Why is Texas A&M when the season begins?
PS.
Gettin Close only counts with horseshoes and hand grenades
We’re was Brooks? They looked lost,but they will be fine,they will figure this out.hope wheeler is okay.
Yes, for goodness sake, don’t be too hard on thin-skinned Oscar. If you don’t coddle him and make sure HE’s happy, he may enter the "I QUIT" portal and dump on UK like he did WVU.
Who runs these teams? The coaches or the NIL, prima donna players?
I don’t understand why Mintz don’t play more. . Brooks and Mintz are the veterans. Seems if they play good keep them in instead of shuffling in other players. Seems like Calipari is always switching players which can get the team out of sync. I just don’t understand his way of playing the players.
Kentucky fans and Calipari are delusional complaining about fouls. There was a huge discrepancy in the fouls called and Kentucky got more calls in both halves. Bunch of crybabies, but that is nothing new. Put on your big girl panties and take your loss.
Calipari is a bum. If Rick Pitino hadn’t went to the NBA there never would have been a Coach Cal in KY. Pitino had the best teams ever in KY. They will never win another national championship with the one and done guys.
The problem is John Calapari. PERIOD In case you don’t understand, The Problem Is John Calipari. A bloveating, (makes as much sense as a drunk on a bar stool in his post game ramblings) coach who is LOST trying to identify with this young culture of "look at me ball bro" players. I can’t stand Coach K, but give the guy credit; he knows the mindset of WHO he offers a scholarship. Cal is totally lost. Stick a fork in the rambling wreck. He is done. Toasted coach that needs to go away before he is forced out. Why make it ugly John?? Just go already.
This will be another double digit loss team. That seems to be the norm for us now. I look for Coach to hit the panic button before the Kansas game and start playing Sharpe. Not sure that will solve this team’s issues, it may just add another one. If Oscar goes to the NBA at the end of the season, don’t be surprised if Coach doesn’t go too.