‘Sometimes, I just can’t believe what I’m doing.’ Tshiebwe dominant in win at Florida.
READ MORE
Game day: No. 7 Kentucky 71, Florida 63
Click below for more of the Herald-Leader’s and Kentucky.com’s coverage of Saturday’s men’s basketball game between Kentucky and Florida in Gainesville, Fla.
Expand All
Among those surprised by Oscar Tshiebwe’s historic productivity is … Oscar Tshiebwe.
“Sometimes, I just can’t believe what I’m doing because I never had a dream of doing what I’m doing …,” he said after leading Kentucky to a 71-63 victory at Florida on Saturday. “It is amazing. Sometimes I think, how? This is impossible. In college everybody can play. I just thank God for what I’m doing.”
Tshiebwe scored 27 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in the victory at Florida. That marked his 13th straight double-double. No UK player had posted 12 straight double-doubles since Dan Issel in 1969-70.
Tshiebwe’s 25th double-double overall moved him within one of Issel’s Kentucky record of 26 in 1969-70.
“The things he’s done haven’t been done for 50 years,” UK Coach John Calipari said. “Let me say that again: The things he’s doing haven’t been done for 50 years.”
So, Calipari added, how could Tshiebwe not be the Southeastern Conference and national player of the year?
Then, the UK coach answered his rhetorical question.
“‘Well, I don’t like Kentucky?’ or ‘I don’t like Cal,’” he said in the voice of such a voter. “Well, that’s fine. Vote for who you want. But you’ve got to explain yourself.”
Teammate Jacob Toppin smiled in reaction to a question about whether a wow factor still applied to Tshiebwe’s dominance.
“It’s kind of becoming normal for us,” said Toppin, who noted that Calipari had mildly chastised Tshiebwe for getting “bullied” in UK’s victory over Ole Miss earlier in the week. “I think he still ended up with, like, 22 and 15,” Toppin said.
Actually, the “bullied” Tshiebwe had 18 points and 15 rebounds.
“It’s still crazy,” Toppin said. “He’s amazing (in) what he does. And it’s one of a kind.”
Tshiewbe did not sound satisfied. He reminded listeners that he had spoken in the preseason of averaging 20 rebounds a game this season. This initially led teammates to laugh, but no longer.
“I’m not doing what I promised at the beginning, but we’ve got … more games,” Tshiebwe said.
A stunning moment came when Kentucky called timeout with 18:41 remaining in the second half. A fast start enabled Florida to reduce Kentucky’s 12-point halftime lead to 38-31.
“It was to post Oscar,” Calipari said of the reason he called the timeout. “Just throw him the ball.”
Tshiebwe posted up for three straight baskets. He scored UK’s first 11 points of the second half. That returned Kentucky on the path to a 25th victory in 31 games. The 14-4 SEC record gave UK a share of second place in the regular-season race.
“I was finishing at that moment, but nobody was stopping me,” Tshiebwe said of the timeout plan. “So, that’s why coach was, like, we’ve got to go to Oscar.”
With Tshiebwe being UK’s leading scorer (17.3 points) and Division I’s leading rebounder (15.3 per game), it might seem puzzling that a reminder to get him the ball was necessary.
“Sometimes we just stray away from that,” Toppin said. Of the timeout and what followed, Toppin said, “it showed throwing him the ball is very effective.”
Toppin spoke of Tshiebwe’s presence and productive play helping his teammates post good numbers. This happens because the focus defenses apply to Tshiebwe creates opportunities for teammates.
“He makes it very much easy because when he posts up, it’s not going to take (just) one guy to stop him,” Toppin said. “You need two guys to stop Oscar. … It spreads the floor.”
UK players have also spoken of Tshiebwe’s influence off the court as well as on. He showcased his positivity last Sunday night during a talk at the Broadway Baptist Church’s African Worship Service.
“This kid is a model citizen,” Calipari said.
SEC Tournament
At Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla.
WEDNESDAY’S FIRST ROUND
Missouri vs. Mississippi, 6 p.m.
Vanderbilt vs. Georgia, 8:30 p.m.
THURSDAY’S SECOND ROUND
Texas A&M vs. Florida, Noon
LSU vs. Missouri-Mississippi winner, 2:30 p.m.
South Carolina vs. Mississippi St., 6 p.m.
Alabama vs. Vanderbilt-Georgia winner, 8:30 p.m.
FRIDAY’S QUARTERFINALS
Auburn vs. Texas A&M-Florida winner, Noon
Arkansas vs. TBD, 2:30 p.m.
Tennessee vs. South Carolina-Mississippi St. winner, 6 p.m.
Kentucky vs. TBD, 8:30 p.m.
SATURDAY’S SEMIFINALS
Matchups TBD, 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
SUNDAY’S FINALS
Semifinal winners, 1 p.m.
This story was originally published March 5, 2022 at 6:33 PM.
