Jay Bilas names Oscar Tshiebwe, Jalen Wilson key difference-makers in Kentucky vs. Kansas

There are two players to keep an eye on tonight when the Kentucky Wildcats host the No. 9 Kansas Jayhawks inside Rupp Arena — and you can probably guess who they are.

When previewing the anticipated matchup this morning on ESPN, college basketball analyst Jay Bilas — who will be on the call this evening in Lexington — said the game will come down to the two brightest stars on the floor. For Kentucky, it’s Oscar Tshiebwe, the sport’s reigning national player of the year. And then for Kansas, it’s Jalen Wilson, averaging 21.4 points per game and a contender for this season’s NPOY award.

They won’t be guarding each other, but how each team handles the other will decide who wins the matchup, says Bilas.

For Tshiebwe, Kansas’ KJ Adams Jr. — a 6-7, 225-pound forward — will likely get the call. He’s got the athleticism and burst to put Kentucky’s star center in uncomfortable spots defensively, but offensively, Tshiebwe will undoubtedly be difficult to handle. Adams’ ability to limit a video-game-number evening for the standout Wildcat will be key. Kentucky, though, needs to try to emulate what worked in No. 34’s record-shattering night vs. Georgia last week, a 37-point, 24-rebound effort at home.

“Oscar Tshiebwe, he’s been on a tear, playing at a national player of the year level again,” Bilas said on ESPN. “He was the National Player of the Year last year, led the nation in rebounding and he’s leading the nation and rebounding again. He just had 37 points and 24 rebounds against Georgia, and the second half against Georgia is really his start at this. It’s really the way Kentucky needs to play.”

Bilas added that the Wildcats need to continue playing the way they have during their four-game winning streak, remaining engaged defensively, rebounding hard and keeping the lineups the same. The college basketball analyst wants to see more of Cason Wallace, CJ Fredrick, Antonio Reeves, Jacob Toppin, and Tshiebwe together on the floor.

“They’ve gone with a little bit of a different lineup at times and Kentucky’s defending at a much higher level,” Bilas added. “But dealing with Tshiebwe, keeping Kentucky out of transition, and really doing a good job on the glass is going to be really important for Kansas because Kentucky is a great offensive-rebounding team. They’re getting 40% of their misses in SEC play.”

As for Kansas, it comes down to Wilson, who has scored a combined 91 points in his last three games for the Jayhawks. A versatile 6-8, 225-forward, he’ll likely be guarded by Jacob Toppin — who has played well on both ends of the floor as of late. Kentucky can’t let the junior standout go off.

“Jalen Wilson is going to be the key matchup, I think, for Kentucky to deal with,” Bilas said. “Over the last three games, he’s averaging 30 points. He went 38, 30 and 23, so he’s gonna be the focus of the Kentucky defense to try to keep him from going off.”

Bilas’ colleagues on College GameDay agree, with both LaPhonso Ellis and Seth Greenberg singling out Tshiebwe and Wilson as difference-makers in the matchup. Who do they expect to win the battle of the stars?

“I’ve got Kentucky here with Kansas’ lack of depth, particularly at the five spot,” Ellis said. “Oscar Tshiebwe goes to work today.”

“It’s a big opportunity for Kentucky, they only have one Quad 1 win. They need a huge win, and this is a chance to change the whole narrative of their season,” Greenberg added. “Jacob Toppin does a great job on Jalen Wilson and Oscar Tshiebwe dominates the paint. I got the Cats.”

Big opportunity for Tshiebwe on college basketball’s brightest stage.