Oscar Tshiebwe, John Calipari try to explain Kentucky's offensive issues

Tonight was supposed to be the battle of national player of the year candidates Oscar Tshiebwe and Drew Timme, but due to foul trouble and Kentucky’s abysmal offense, we didn’t get a proper show. Both bigs played well, with Oscar putting up 20 points and 15 rebounds in 28 minutes and Timme 22 points and 7 rebounds in 36 minutes. Sadly, Timme’s supporting cast was the difference. Guard Rasir Bolton led the Bulldogs with 24 points and Julian Strawther chipped in 20 more to help propel Gonzaga to the 88-72 win.

Kentucky never led in the game, allowing Gonzaga to jump out to a 10-2 lead in the first three minutes. Oscar shouldered some of the blame for the slow start, citing his lack of practice time with his teammates as he eases back into things following his minor knee procedure in the preseason.

“I think that we started slow and I think I really hurt my team a little bit because I started slow,” Oscar said. “I was not really stepping up like I should. I’ve got to get better. I’ve got to get better. I feel like we had a good shot just in the beginning I have not been with my team for a long time. I’ve been with my team for only a week since my surgery. I’ve got to get better. We’ve got to get better together.”

Watch the latest John Calipari press conference on the KSR YouTube Channel.

In the first half, Kentucky shot 25% from the floor, making only eight field goals, none of them threes. By halftime, Gonzaga led 41-25. When asked how the Cats can improve on offense, Oscar said he had trouble hearing the plays John Calipari was calling over the crowd at Spokane Arena.

“I think we have to listen to run the plays. Most of the time we don’t really run what Coach is asking us to do and everybody kind of be in their position. Especially me today. I did not really listen to what they were telling me because it was so loud. I was telling them, ‘Let me know, let me know, so I can run up there and run what we’re supposed to run.'”

“I couldn’t get Oscar (Tshiebwe) to run the plays right,” Calipari said. “You know why? He hasn’t been practicing with us. So I said, ‘Go to the baseline. We’re going to play dribble drive around you.’ And that’s what we did the whole second half. I ran two plays. That were pass, pass, make a play. Couldn’t run a play. Told them, ‘Man, you know, we got to practice and get together as a team and get better.’

“Offensively in the first half, it was so embarrassing that we couldn’t even run a play. Couldn’t run a play. Not one. And it wasn’t just Oscar. It was our guards too.”

Kentucky’s offense did improve in the second half. The Cats shot 51.4% after halftime, finally connecting on 6-15 threes. Kentucky even cut Gonzaga’s lead to four with 13:07 remaining after back-to-back threes by Antonio Reeves and Cason Wallace; unfortunately, 19 seconds later, Oscar picked up his fourth foul and had to head to the bench. When he checked back in with 9:03 to go, Gonzaga’s lead was up to 10.

“We looked good, we made shots in the second half and I think we’re going to get everything figured out,” Oscar insisted. “I’m still confident in my team.”

“I feel like I’ve just go to get better because I’ve been out for a little while. I’ve just got to get better.”