Vicky Graff Photo
Ugonna Onyenso insisted Friday he had a lot more to show in his game than what Kentucky fans had seen so far.
However, even Onyenso could not have been expecting to play 31 minutes like he did in Saturday’s 97-92 overtime loss at Texas A&M.
“It was nice to see Ugonna have an opportunity forced on him and then take advantage of it,” Jack Givens said on the UK Radio Network. “Aaron got in foul trouble and Ugonna had to play big minutes and he played excellently.”
Yes he did.
In a career-best 31 minutes, Onyenso had a season-high seven points, tied his career high for rebounds with 10 and set a career best with five blocked shots. He also gave Kentucky a badly needed physical presence inside against the aggressive Aggies.
“Onyenso was such a presence,” ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said. “His work on the glass, his rim protection, that was missing early but Calipari now has that back in his bag. He has been a gigantic factor in this game. He goes and gets the ball in the trenches even when he does not have the best position.”
Calipari admitted Onyenso played “more than he needs to be playing” because Bradshaw got in immediate foul trouble and managed to play just six minutes.
“He played good. He did some good stuff,” Calipari said. “We are different with Ugo. We have one guy you don’t have to guard (away from the basket) where with Aaron you have to guard him.”
True but give Onyenso credit for doing things Bradshaw could not do because of his excessive fouling and without Onyenso’s interior play, including three offensive rebounds, Kentucky likely would never have gotten the game to overtime.
5 Responses
If Bradshaw and Edwards want to play, they are going to have to toughen up and mix it up inside. Both should be averaging 6 rpg and 2 bpg. Scoring will come and go, but we need their help on the boards and in the paint…especially with Thiero out of action. Maybe Ugo is getting into playing shape and can be a force in the middle, but he will need some help.
With you Barry. They got to hit the boards
not to be a "negative Nelly" but we beat ourselves.
just have to learn from it Cricket
I like Reed’s comments because that shows they are at least accepting responsibility, but now they have to act on it if they want to continue winning. Guards from other teams are killing us, so our guards have to decide they are going to lock them up and the bigs have to decide they are going to back them up.
Also, we need better blocking out on defensive rebounds from all positions.