UK Athletics Photo
Kentucky losing to Kansas is not stunning even in Rupp Arena.
Remember UK did go to Kansas last year and smack the Jayhawks and even if Kansas had lost three straight games it still had been a top 10 team all season.
No, what was shocking in Kansas’ 77-68 win was the way the Jayhawks dominated the boards. They out-rebounded UK only 34-29 but what mattered is that Kansas had eight offensive rebounds and 11 second chance points to four offensive boards — none in the first half — and zero second chance points for the Wildcats.
Oscar Tshiebwe, who had a definite size advantage, had nine rebounds — well below his average — and only two came on the offensive end.
“We hadn’t rebounded the ball like that in a while,” Kansas coach Bill Self said.
That was a major problem for a Kentucky team that depended on Tshiebwe’s inside dominance to win. However, that was not the only reason Kansas stopped UK’s four-game win streak.
— In the first half, the Cats went 4-for-11 the second half and two of the misses were the front end of the bonus, Kentucky did go 12-for-12 the second half but the damage had been done.
— Kentucky was 2-for-13 from 3-point range. CJ Fredrick and Antonio Reeves, UK’s shooters, were a combined 0-for-8 from 3. Only freshman guard Cason Wallace (2-for-3) hit a 3-pointer.
In losses to Michigan State, Gonzaga, UCLA, Missouri, Alabama, South Carolina and now Kansas the Cats are now 37 of 137 (27 percent) from 3 and that’s been a consistent flaw.
— Kentucky got 18 points on 6-for-9 shooting from the field and 6-for-8 at the foul line. Twelve of his points came in the second half but in the final 10 minutes he had only one field goal attempt and two free throws.
“I don’t think they let Tshiebwe touch it enough in the second half,” ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said.
— Give Kansas some credit, too. The Jayhawks had three different players hit a 3-pointer after UK cut the lead to 64-62 with 5:11 to play. That pushed the lead to seven points with just over two minutes to play and settled the outcome.
“We had our chances to win the game. I thought we were going to win,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said. “We had it right there.
“We fought. They are a top 10 team. We are trying to re-establish who we are. I was hoping we would get this. We never stopped playing. We fought the whole time. We have a lot of games left. This is a marathon. We just have to keep getting better.”
7 Responses
Oscar Tshiebwe Is a fraud! He’s terrible on defense and shouldn’t have gotten National Player of the year last year. He don’t show up in every game like a real POY. No second chance points shows this team has no fight in them. Another first round loss in the Big tournament if they even make it, looks more like NIT bound and won’t win it either. I miss Tubby…
Rick you have no clue what Oscar is. He has more class and character than you got
Oscar was double and triple teamed most of the game, even when he didn’t have the ball. That is why his rebounds were down. Our guys did not hit the boards like the Kansas guards did. Everyone knows this is how other teams are going to guard Oscar. Why don’t we look for the open guys? Because we are too busy running Calipari’s outcoached offense. Oscar can’t do it by himself against the better teams.
Can anyone on this team make a decent post pass? When Oscar posts up, he is only open for a couple of seconds before the double or triple team comes. Oscar should be used in high pick and rolls more often, but we have trouble hitting him on the roll too.
The game changed as soon as Wheeler entered the game. When Wheeler is on the floor, we are playing 4 against 5 on both ends of the floor. The ball does not move from side to side with Wheeler at the point and Wheeler can’t shoot so his man drops down to crowd the lane.
For all of Toppin’s athletic ability, he cannot guard the 3 point line. Wilson schooled him the entire game. I think Frederick gets too psyched up for big games. He did a decent job of guarding Dick the first half, but seemed to be a step slow in the second half. Livingston was on fire in the first half and Calipari takes him out. WHY?
Self clearly outcoached Calipari throughout the game. He pretty much neutralized Oscar the first half and took advantage of Wheeler when he was in the game. Calipari is just not an X and O coach. It’s also clear that the refs have grown tired of his theatrics as we never get an even break with calls, even at Rupp
Oscar is a fraud?
Well, I have heard it all. Oscar is a man among boys.
The Fraud in Lexington is John Calipari.
Professor I will keep cheering the cats win or lose, but I do think we need a change of guard at our basketball program. I don’ see the UK administration or Mitch kicking him out unless Cal steps down. Cal knows his back is against the wall it show last night when the last minute of the game was ticking down to zero last night.
Calipari does not believe he is done.
What is finished is the once great UK basketball program.