Vicky Graff Photo
Ugonna Onyenso continues to establish himself potentially as one of Kentucky’s most important players in postseason play because he brings a defensive presence this team full of scorers desperately needs. He tied a Rupp Arena record set by the legendary David Robinson of Navy on Jan. 25, 1987 — over 37 years ago — by blocking 10 shots in Tuesday’s win over Ole Miss. He fell just short of the all-time UK blocks record set by Nerlens Noel in 2013.
“Man, every time someone drives to the hoop I said, ‘Blocked.’ That’s really what it was! Ten blocks is crazy. I’m proud of him,” Reeves said.
Onyenso said earlier this season he thought he could get 10 blocks in a game. He had a pregame feeling he was going to have a big game against Mississippi.
“You know what’s funny? I told my coaches I was going to get eight blocks before the game, then I had seven in the first half. It’s amazing,” Onyenso said after the win. “I told my teammates I was going to get 10 blocks in one game this season and I did that.”
Kentucky was averaging 6.1 blocks per game — fourth in the nation — going into the Ole Miss game and got 12 blocks against the Rebels. Since the North Carolina game on Dec. 16 – the first game that UK had at least two seven-foot players available – the Wildcats have averaged 7.3 blocks per game after averaging 4.8 blocks per game up to that point.
“Hopefully this game is going to be a turning point for us. We have to bring it coming into Saturday (at Auburn) and stay locked in. If we do the same thing we did today, we have a good chance of winning that game. It all comes down to defense,” Onyenso said after the game.
“The difference today was we came in together saying we have to lock in, it’s all on us. The coaches talk and teach as much as they want to but if we as individuals and as a team don’t come together and play as one, nothing’s going to change. We had a choice that we have to make a change defensively — during practice we weren’t focusing enough. All of our attention was on defense.”
Onyenso went 3-for-3 from the field and 2-for-4 at the foul line to finish with eight points and three rebounds in his 24 minutes to go along with his 10 blocks.
Kentucky coach John Calipari noted that if Onyenso had made all his free throws he would have had a double-double.
“If you think about it, those (missed free throws) are big. Now. I told him you can’t go one for two and miss a dunk and then go one for two from the foul line. Dunk it and then you will get one more and if you miss that, it’s okay, we’ve got two,” Calipari said.
“One of the things that’s bothering me is we are throwing in really hard passes for him to catch. Like Adou (Thiero) threw him a lob, and came up short. Like, can’t do that to him. When he’s doing all he is doing defensively. Don’t do that to him. Don’t get him balls in bad areas. Now, rolling down the middle. Reed (Sheppard) found him. D.J. (Wagner) found him. Robert (Dillingham) found him.”
Former Kentucky All-American Jack Givens was way more complimentary of Onyenso on the UK Radio Network.
“There’s not much doubt about what plays that position (center). I like the starting lineup that included Ugonna and Tre (Mitchell),” Givens said. “Any time you have got a guy in there you do not have to call plays for but finds ways (to make plays), especially on defense to block 10 shots and change at least five or six shots. There’s not much argument on who the starter is. Other guys have to wait for their number to be called.
“Ugonna is also a really good communicator and points out to people where they need to be.”
