Living in the gym again pays off big for Oscar Tshiebwe and Kentucky

UK Athletics Photo

It had not been an easy week for Oscar Tshiebwe.

First, he seemed to call out teammates for a lack of effort after Kentucky lost at home to South Carolina. Later he apologized to teammates for what he said and explained he didn’t mean it that way.

Second, coach John Calipari said on his weekly radio show Monday that Tshiebwe, last year’s unanimous national player of the year, had not been in the gym working enough compared to what he did last season.

However, Tshiebwe answered in a big way in Tuesday’s comeback win over Georgia with 37 points and 24 rebounds. It was the first 30/20 game by a Kentucky player since Mike Phillips had 35 points and 20 rebounds against LSU on Feb. 2, 1976.

Only three other UK players ever reached the magical 30/20 mark — Dan Issel had 36/29 against LSU in 1969, Cotton Nash had 34/20 against Tulane in 1964 and Bill Spivey had 40/34 against Xavier in 1951.

Calipari had plenty of praise for Tshiebwe after the win — and should have.

“What he’s done for two weeks, he’s been in the gym. Last year he lived in the gym. For a while he was in the gym but not the same,” Calipari said. “Someone says you’re criticizing him. No, I’m telling you for the last two weeks, he and Adou (Thiero) have lived in the gym.

“What does it do for your game? That’s how you build your confidence, that’s how you build your stamina.”

Calipari said he recently told Tshiebwe to “dunk every ball” and quit being passive around the basket.

“But he had to get in the gym to be that way,” Tshiebwe said. “Now you’re seeing him be how he was a year ago. Was he that way two weeks ago? No.

“That’s why I said what I said, not to be disrespectful or talk down on Oscar. I love Oscar. He knows I love coaching him.”

How could you not love a player who goes for 37 points and 24 rebounds.