Oscar Tshiebwe continues to put up record-setting numbers. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Remember a few weeks when Kentucky coach John Calipari explained how it probably would be after Oscar Tshiebwe was gone before what he’s done at Kentucky the last two seasons is fully appreciated?
No, Calipari was not complaining about fans or the media not respecting Tshiebwe. He was just correctly noting that Tshiebwe has everyone spoiled to the point that if he has a seven-point, seven-rebound game that everyone wonders what happened to him.
On Tuesday he joined Alabama forward Brandon Miller and Texas A&M guard Wade Taylor as the only unanimous selections in media voting on the Associated Press All-SEC First Team. He was also a first-team pick on the SEC coaches’ team.
Think about this — Tshiebwe is the fist UK player to earn All-SEC First Team honors from the media in consecutive seasons since Tayshaun Prince in 2001 and 2002. Granted, many of Calipari’s best players have been one-and-done but it is still incredible to think it has been 21 years since Kentucky had a player get first team honors in consecutive years.
The Sporting News Tuesday also named Tshiebwe a third-team All-American — he was The Sporting News national player of the year last season. He also became the first UK player since Prince to earn All-American honors in consecutive seasons. Only 24 players in UK history have earned All-American honors in more than one season. Fifth-six players total have been named All-Americans at Kentucky.
Tshiebwe leads the country with 13.1 rebounds per game and leads UK in scoring at 16.4 points per game. He has six games with 20 or more points and 15 or more rebounds among his SEC-high 18 double-doubles this season. Tshiebwe is the only player in the country averaging at least 15 points, 10 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.
In just 63 games for Kentucky, Tshiebwe ranks eighth in program history with 894 rebounds and he has a double-double in 46 games. Only Dan Issel (64) and Cotton Nash (48) have more double-doubles at UK and both played three seasons.
If he maintains or increased his current pace 12.1 rebounds per game for his career, Tshiebwe will join Paul Millsap and Kenneth Faried as the only players since the 1996-97 season to average 12 rebounds per game for their career. He leads the country in rebounds per game and ranks second in total rebounds (379) – just six off the leader despite missing two games due to a knee procedure to begin the season.
And think about this — only Rex Chapman (1,073) and Bill Spivey (1,213) have scored more points in just two years at UK than Tshiebwe had with 1,065 points going into Friday night’s SEC Tournament game.
8 Responses
Wow. Those are amazing numbers from an amazing person. We won’t know how bad we miss Oscar until next year when those rebounds and points come by committee. He is fun to watch! ! He will be missed when his career is over!
Was that elbow O threw deliberate and wrong ? Yep. But people need to understand he is pushed, elbowed, kicked, tripped, held, double and triple teamed, taunted and jeered every second of every game. I don’t think the fans and talking heads understand that.
I my book he’s a saint !
Paul, you are exactly right. No player I can recall has been assaulted like Oscar has been this year. I thought he came back to work on his shot. The last Florida game showed he has one. He needs to play at the 4 spot with Lance and Onyenso holding down the 5. Oscar has been fun to watch. I hope he has a big post season.
Demarcus Cousins. Not since Boogie have I seen this type of planned assault on a player. Remember the game where an opposing player just punched him below the waste. The UL game where they did this crap until it started a fight. The strategy was foul him hard, foul him often rinse and repeat. Then hope he retaliates to get him off the court. We have seen this before! ! It should not be permitted! But alas it is UK and I rarely expect the refs to do anything. As RP always said "good teams beat the refs and the opponents"! !
Very well said, Larry.
Mashburn has always been my favorite player, but Big O is awesome and my new #1.
Not so fast he may come back for another year, but I’m not counted on it.
Wouldn’t count that chicken. I know some Magic management – gonna recommend him heartily.