Oscar Tshiebwe had no room to operate against Alabama. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Tuesday night’s game against South Carolina is important for Kentucky, but it might even be more important for all-American Oscar Tshiebwe.
Tshiebwe has faced no real adversity since transferring from West Virginia to Kentucky midway through his sophomore season. He was the unanimous national player of the year last season and a one-man rebounding machine.
But in Saturday’s 78-52 loss at Alabama, he was shaken on and off the court. Alabama showed him no respect, went right after him on defense and scored repeatedly against him. On offense, Tshiebwe could not flex his muscle inside and the Tide gave him little room to maneuver.
Tshiebwe was 1-for-7 from the field and had four points and four turnovers. He also had just six rebounds, one less than Alabama’s Brandon Miller. That was significant because it was the first time any individual player from an opposing team had more rebounds than him in a game.
Tshiebwe also spent almost as much time on the bench as he did on the court because coach John Calipari was infuriated with his play.
If that’s not enough adversity, this is the first time Tshiebwe has really been chastised by the media because he’s always been lovable Oscar spreading his goodwill and ministry along with phenomenal play on the court.
Fox Sports college basketball analyst Doug Gottlieb did not mince words about Tshiebwe on Twitter.
“Kentucky’s problems start with Oscar. His ball screen defense is tragic. Can’t switch, not long enough to play in the drop. Bama attacked him constantly. UK tried to ‘ice’ ball screens, but they were mainly up top (can’t ice) and even when they did he was slow stopping the drive,” Gottlieb posted on Twitter.
“Offensively, he is limited when faced with legit length. Bama came down to ‘dig’ on the bounce and he is a terrible passer, if he passes. More than anything, just no juice to him. Kinda of a downer for a kid with a great disposition.”
Kinda a downer? It was a huge downer for him and UK basketball but Gottlieb was accurate in his criticism. The biggest surprise to me — no juice.
It was not all Tshiebwe’s fault that Kentucky lost. Starts Cason Wallace and Jacob Toppin were as bad offensively as him and Chris Livingston was not much better.
However, Tshiebwe is the reigning national player of the year and more is expected of him than what he showed Saturday. Sure, it was one game and by far his worst game in many, many ways.
That’s why this game against South Carolina is more than just another game for Tshiebwe. This is where he has to start proving the Alabama game was a fluke and show he can handle adversity. If he doesn’t, then UK’s problems are going to be even worse than what they seemed on Saturday.
5 Responses
Oscar’s issues last Saturday against the crimson tide reflect more on Calipari and his staff IMO. What else does this young man have to do to prove himself? How about a little coaching before game time arrives against a SEC ranked team on the road. Yes he had a bad outing, but his team also let him down big time, and especially these UK coaches.The lack of fire and possible sorry team chemistry on this Kentucky team right now would affect the play of anybody, including Kentucky’s No. 34. If superior talent is there and you get beat by 26, it has to be the coaching in my view.
Oscar should have never come back for a second year. Oscar is the scapegoat for bad coaching. Our players either will not or cannot make a decent post pass. Yes, Oscar struggles with on ball screens, but he can’t be expected to guard 2 players at once. How about going to a zone to solve that issue? But that would mean Calipari would have to learn how to coach a zone, no wait, learn how to coach period. Oscar gets triple teamed every time he catches the ball in the post. When Livingston and Wallace see their man drop down to triple Oscar, they need to immediately spot up for a 3. By the way, has anyone tried to pass out of a triple team that is slapping your arms and face? It’s not the easiest thing to do. IF Oscar gave up last Saturday, it was because he is tired of trying to carry this team when he is hog-tied with Calipari’s archaic offense and defense. We all know how snake-like Calipari can be when it comes to casting blame away from himself and on to his players. When will Dr. Calipouto step in and take control of this mess?
Hey Larry V. I asked you a while back about the support for Cal. Are you seeing any Cal supporters shifting sides lately? Or are they still standing behind him?
Seems like some support him no matter what. I find myself questioning their fandom of UK. I just don’t know how you can be a fan and still support this coach.
Hey Champs, most of Calipari’s supporters are fans of Duke, North Carolina, Kansas, Michigan State, Gonzaga, Louisville, Indiana, and the entire rest of the SEC. They don’t want Calipari going anywhere. They like what he has done to UK.
1996, therein lies the problem, because these fans cannot fathom how one can be a UK fan and not support the coach.
This at its core is a political argument, and there will never be unanimity.
I have detected a shift away from Calipari over the last few weeks. I believe the tide has shifted sufficiently that there is now a small anti-Calipari majority.
However, the fan support alone will not generate action on Calipari by the UK administration. Barnhart does not have the money required to buy out Calipari, and unless and until Calipari decides he would prefer to make an exit, nothing is going to change.
This Texas thing holds some promise because Texas can put the dollars on the table to make a deal, and I believe Calipari just may take it if the deal is offered.