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It was one of his best games and the kind of performance by Adou Thiero that should have been enough to put Kentucky over the top against Gonzaga. Instead, Kentucky again squandered a chance to win a close game and lost 89-85 to Gonzaga, a record third straight home court loss at Rupp Arena.
Thiero had 15 points on 6-for-11 shooting — he had five dunks and one 3-pointer. He also had five rebounds, three blocks, two assists and one steal in 32 minutes. He was UK’s most physical defender and best defender in the paint where Gonzaga destroyed the UK bigs.
“I’m very proud (of Thiero). He definitely gave us a lot of energy, a lot of drives, and kicks and he kind of finished out at the rim,” UK senior guard Antonio Reeves said. “A lot of dunks from him too, and a lot of rebounds. He did mostly everything, so I am definitely proud of him and hopefully he can continue doing what he is doing.”
Kentucky needs him to do that — or maybe find a way to get his physical play to rub off on teammates who are not that way and opposing teams are taking advantage of.
Thiero did not point fingers at teammates. Instead, he blamed himself for Gonzaga’s strong paint presence even though no one else questioned his effort.
“They were more physical than us. Some of it was my fault, as a leader on this team I got to be able to go out and be physical and show that we’re going to fight,” he said. “Set the bar so that whoever comes into the game knows we go to fight every single time and I didn’t do that, so that’s how everything was just easy for them.”
Again, Thiero was being hard on himself but Kentucky needs someone to take responsibility and hopefully motivate teammates. Maybe Thiero is the one who can do it.
He believes there is more physicality in this team than it has shown.
“We just got to find it. We do it in practice every day. We just have to bring it to the game and transfer it to the game. We just got to find a way to when the lights turn on to be able to flip that switch again and be physical,” Thiero said.
What can UK’s interior players do to avoid getting pushed around like they did by Gonzaga?
“I can’t speak for them. I can just say what I did,” Thiero said. “You just got to have more pride and be physical with everybody. I can’t really speak for them.”
9 Responses
Larry, this is a great article. Thiero is right…you have to take pride in playing defense. That necessarily means you have work at it to prepare your body for the physicality that requires and your mind (basketball IQ) to learn how to do it without fouling out every game. It also requires learning what an opponent likes to do, how they do it, and what can hinder or stop that. That has to be done quickly for each game and for every game. You can coach so much of that (or you can’t), but the pride, the want to, and the physical body have to be "recruited". Calipari doesn’t recruit this kind of kid…he goes after the 5 star prima donnas who care nothing about playing team ball or winning for their school. It’s all about them and what they want…and don’t want or care for.
The Calipari way had some success through the 2015 season, albeit that it only produced 1 national championship. Calipari platooned in 2015 and almost had the perfect season until he put Andrew Harrison’s desires ahead of those of the team and the University. Of course we lost to Wisconsin…a team focused program. The real damage came in recruiting. The prima donnas didn’t want to go to a school where they were not going to be THE MAN…they went elsewhere. Calipari couldn’t shed the "platoon" label. He also did not or could not adjust his recruiting and coaching…it was going to be the Calipari way or bust. It wasn’t until this year that Calipari started winning the recruiting battles again…I’m sure that the retirement of Williams at North Carolina and Coach K at Duke had nothing to do with that. Nevertheless, Calipari focus on the 5 star prima donnas again. The only reason he reluctantly recruited Reed Shepard was because of the legacy made by his parents.
Now coaches who can’t recruit the 5 star kids are "buying" them from the transfer portal. The smarter coaches learned that they also needed some bruisers to go with the prima donnas. The game has changed in many ways, yet Calipari still does things the way he always has. He is predictable. Other coaches know that and want him to stay at Kentucky because of that. I am not sure that Calipari can change. The game has passed him by. It’s time for him to move on…whether that’s to the NBA, ESPN or retirement, not only for the sake of Kentucky, but for his own sake. As it stands, he will be remembered as the man who destroyed Kentucky basketball. If we make a coaching change at the end of our season, we just might avoid becoming the next Indiana…maybe.
I am sure that the Calipari lovers are going to squeal bloody murder, but instead of just shooting off their big mouths, let them present an argument that refutes (Jimmy, that means disproves) this presentation. It would also be nice to hear from The Professor and many others who are not happy with the state of Kentucky basketball. I love the University of Kentucky and Kentucky basketball too much to sit back and be quiet. For those who read this and feel the same, it’s time to stand up and be counted. That’s the only way that the University will step up and buy out Calipari from his ridiculous contract. It’s time to get rid of Barnhart too. If a change is not made, WE WILL BECOME THE NEXT INDIANA!
Indiana is better than us and has been the last couple of years. What your thinking will happen has already happened. Calapari has a lifetime contract and that was a big mistake. He doesn’t have to look over his shoulder if he’s not performing. He doesn’t develop anyone he recruits great players they just need guidance and he doesn’t know how to motivate and guide them. If they get a hangnail they miss 2 or 3 games. There is no tough players on the team. Oscar was the only player we’ve had with grit in a long time. Thiero fits that mold but he’s more of a 3 than a 4.
Another thing that needs to be counted are empty seats.
Maluach…the 7’2" recruit, #2 center in 25, starts his visit with UK today. He apparently has already visited Duke and KU and will be making a decision by end of February. Cal is a sitting target for both coaches because they can point out that Cal has 3 7’s and has done nothing to develop any. Califraudi continues to be exposed across the BB landscape and MUST GO!
I think Thiero has the heart that the other players don’t have. Watch Bradshaws expressions he don’t care if we win by 1 or lose by 50. These players are to pampered. I seen a article saying they need to realize what the front of there jerseys say?? They don’t care what the front of the jersey says do you know how many different jerseys they’ve worn playing aau and high school and all star games. Kentucky is just another jersey to elevate them where they really want to play and that’s pro ball. Winning is secondary now at Kentucky face the facts. If Calapari really cared about winning we would change the scheme if it’s not working. Nobody plays a certain way when it’s not working and stays playing the same way all the way until the games over and we lose. We played better before the 7 footers started playing. They are too slow and they act uncoordinated. Big Z is the best 7 footer on offense but he is terrible on defense. Big O is ok at defense but is horrible on offense and Bradshaw is the most overrated player since Skal L. I just call it like I see it. Burks is a great player but he’s scared to death to do anything because he knows that 1 little mistake and he’s pulled out the game. Edwards plays 30 minutes a game and is terrible on defense and below average on offense. He was also very overrated out of high school. Bradshaw didn’t even have great stats in high school. Wagner wad on his team and doubled his statistics and you see Wagner is the 3rd or 4th best freshman on our team. Calapari plays the players with the most hype even if they don’t care about winning and that my friends is a major problem for Kentucky.
Very good Terry. Appreciate your comments.
Thanks Larry I’ve been a big fan of your work for many years. I usesd to get on your old website. I’m just getting accustomed to this one. I’m talking about your website from 11 13 years ago. I’ve always enjoyed your insight on Kentucky.
Sorry Chester….I support purchasing the billboard that states "I support Cal being replaced"
Won’t change til fans quit buying tickets.