LSU had no answers inside for Oscar Tshiebwe. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky shot 52 percent (28 of 54) from the field, including 39 percent (7 of 18) from 3-point range. Kentucky had 18 assists and only six turnovers. The Cats also pulled off 10 offensive rebounds.
“People keep telling me that they’re struggling, but they’re top 20 in the country in a lot of offensive stats,” McMahon, the former Murray State coach, said after UK’s 74-71 win. “They shoot 39 percent from 3 and have a guy (Oscar Tshiebwe) that absolutely dominates in the paint, so I really hadn’t seen those struggles.
“I think they make it tough on you because they do shoot it well from 3 and they have the best offensive rebounder in basketball when they miss. They won a lot of those 50/50 plays and loose balls. I wish we got a few more of those but credit to Kentucky.”
McMahon said his team, which shot 49 percent overall and made 11 3’s, was also better offensively than most expected but Kentucky still withstood every challenge.
“They just make it so tough on you with Oscar in there on the glass and they hit some tough shots to win the game in the last minute and a half,” McMahon said.
Tshiebwe had 19 points on 7-for-9 shooting along with 16 rebounds. He dominated inside no matter how much KJ Williams, who had 23 points on 8-for-13 shooting, including four 3’s, tried to take him outside.
“It was the opportunity of a lifetime for me to go up against a great player like him,” Williams, who transferred to Murray with his former coach this year, said. “He knows how to get to his spots very well and knows where the ball goes when it comes off the rim.
“Credit him, he attacks the rim and tries to get the offensive and defensive rebounds. For me, I just tried to go in and play my game—attacking him and trying to box him out.”
