Oscar Tshiebwe confronts teammates, John Calipari over lack of 'fight' from Kentucky

Like many, Kentucky big man Oscar Tshiebwe is growing frustrated with what is happening on the court in Lexington this season. After beginning the season No. 4 in the AP poll, the Wildcats are now unranked and off to a disappointing 1-3 start in SEC play.

That included a 71-68 loss on Tuesday to South Carolina, a team that was under .500 entering the contest. According to Kentucky beat writer Jeff Drummond, that led Tshiebwe voicing his displeasure to teammates postgame, even suggesting to coach John Calipari to put in a walk-on if it might lead to more passionate play.

“Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe told us multiple times during tonight’s postgame that he’s pleading with his teammates to fight, to show some intensity,” Drummond tweeted. “Said that he told Calipari to put in a walk-on if he has to, just someone who is willing to fight.

Tshiebwe played all 40 minutes Tuesday, leading the Wildcats with 19 points and 12 rebounds in the loss, marking his ninth double-double this season. However, that was not enough to overcome the Gamecocks posting a 55% clip from 3-point range and 48.2% overall from the field.

Things won’t get any easier for Kentucky moving forward, as the Wildcats face No. 5 Tennessee at noon ET on Saturday.