Oscar Tshiebwe has combined for 66 points and 41 rebounds in his last two games against Georgia. (UK Athletics Photo)
The joy BBN was feeling after the win over Tennessee Saturday diminished within the first five minutes after tipoff with Georgia. Was the Tennessee game a fluke? Could the Cats continue up instead of plummeting to rock bottom again?
The Bulldogs made 55.6 percent of their shots from the floor in the first half and the Cats only hit 33.3 percent. The 3’s weren’t falling, the Cats at the half were 2-for-7. It seemed as if once again the BBN would be calling for the firing of coach John Calipari and it would be a repeat of last week after the home loss to South Carolina.
Then the second half started.
There was fight. There was offense. There was defense and above all else… there was Oscar.
The returning national player of the year returned with a vengeance. The game totals tell the story — 37 points and 24 rebounds. Contribute the resurgence to more time in the gym (according to Calipari) or whatever pleases you. It doesn’t matter. When Oscar plays to his potential the Cats are hard to beat.
Sahvir Wheeler played 10 minutes the first half and only one minute in the second half. He provides relief and a spark when coming off the bench. Will this be his new role on this team? Only Calipari knows that answer.
Calipari seemed to find his rotation with Wallace, Frederick, Reeves/Livingston, Toppin and Oscar. This rotation turned an 11-point deficit into a 14-point win.
The Cats shot 44 percent from the floor and 77 percent from the free throw line. They out-rebounded the Bulldogs by 13. So those of you that went to bed at halftime woke up with a good surprise Wednesday morning.
I had resorted to the fact that my NCAA travel fund would be used for new hardwood floors this year. In fact, I went last Thursday and got an estimate.
But for now I will put that order on hold. Not that I am confident… just hopeful.
One Response
It all depends on our defense and keeping Wheeler in a limited reserve role. When Wheeler is on defense, Oscar’s man will go out and set a pick. Wheeler is not strong enough to fight over it, so he goes under. That means Oscar has to step out to check Wheeler’s man and Wheeler has to guard a big who rolls back to the basket. Wheeler can’t guard a big and Oscar knows that. That is why Oscar seems to be vulnerable on pick and rolls. He is trying to guard both at the same time. If the pick and roll comes with any other guard, they are big enough to fight through or slide down and defend the rolling big.