Kansas might not have the size inside to contain Oscar Tshiebwe. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Don’t be surprised if Oscar Tshiebwe has a big game against Kansas Saturday night.
The Sporting News national college basketball columnist Mike DeCourcey thinks this game sets up well for Tshiebwe inside.
“Kansas does not have much height inside. Their center (KJ Adams) is 6-7. He’s muscular and rough and a tremendous athlete but Jacob Toppin is going to be taller than anybody Kansas regularly plays and Oscar should really match up well inside.”
DeCourcey says it will be more difficult for UK to slow down Kansas’ perimeter players who are talented offensive players.
“Freshman Grady Dick is a big-time player. He’s 6-8, a terrific ball handler and outstanding shooter. You can not let him get open. You have got to be attentive to the game plan with him,” DeCourcey said.
Dick is averaging 14.8 points per game and shooting 44 percent from 3-point range. He also has 32 steals and pulls off 5.2 rebounds per game. Dick hits 42 percent of guarded catch and shoot 3’s but does not fare nearly as well in the paint.
DeCourcey sees 6-8 Jalen Wilson as an All-American candidate. He averages 21.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game and had 45 3’s — seven less than Dick. He has 50 assists, 15 steals and 12 blocks. He is a high volume shooter and has 46 more shots than any other Kansas player.
“Jalen Wilson is a better overall player than Grady,” DeCourcey said. “You have got to slow him down to be successful against Kansas.”
Sean Vinsel of Hoops Insight notes that Kansas is in the top 25 nationally in defensive steal percentage (the Jayhawks have 178 steals in 20 games). However, he noted that Kansas is “barely in the top 100 in any offensive stat.” The Jayhawks are worse than 200th in both defensive rebounding — say hello Oscar Tshiebwe —opponent free throw rate.
One big plus for Kansas is that the Jayhawks have played the hardest schedule in the nation per Kenpom and other sites. Vinsel pointed out Kansas has played just five games against teams outside the top 100 and only three worse than 200th. Kentucky has played nine games against teams outside the top 100, including seven against teams worse than 200th.
“Kansas is in the middle of an eight-game stretch where No. 30 Kentucky is the worst team they will play,” Vinsel wrote.
DeCourcey expects playing in Rupp Arena to be a big plus for UK. This is the first marquee game of the season for Kentucky fans in Rupp Arena.
“This is a great opportunity for Rupp Arena fans to show what they can bring,” DeCourcey said. “They played Kansas on the road last year and beat them so Kentucky knows home court does not guarantee a win. But I have a feeling the Big Blue fans are really going to make an impact Saturday night.”
2 Responses
Really for tip off Go Cats!
We got outrebounded by a smaller team. Oscar gets double and triple teamed, so why aren’t our unguarded guys hitting the glass? Calipari is at a loss to develop a post offense or teach how to make a post pass. Kansas was bettered prepared for this game and wanted the win more than we did. We missed 7 freethrows and had 12 fewer shots. If we don’t get a runout, our offense consumes most of the shot clock. We turned down a number of shots from the arc. We played a great first 10 minutes and then it reverted to all one on one stuff.