Oscar Tshiebwe on pace to claim consecutive national rebound crown

Purdue’s Zach Edey is currently the favorite to bring home National Player of the Year honors. Armando Bacot became North Carolina’s all-time leading rebounder on Saturday. Both players rank in the top three nationally in rebounds per game. But neither leads the country.

One year after claiming the national rebound crown with 15.2 boards per game, Oscar Tshiebwe is again leading college basketball in rebounds per game with 14.0 as we near the midway point of conference play. Kentucky again has an All-American contender holding things down in the paint.

Tshiebwe ranks No. 2 in offensive rebound percentage (20.1%) and No. 8 in defensive rebound percentage (29.9%), according to KenPom. As Kentucky has found a new groove recently in their three-game winning streak, rebounding has played a huge role.

Kentucky currently leads the SEC in defensive rebound percentage (76.8%). The Wildcats are still having issues on that end of the floor with eliminating dribble penetration and slowing down ballscreen actions, but the Wildcats simply aren’t allowing second chance opportunities. That is leading to more efficiency on the defensive end. Texas A&M was one of the top offensive rebounding teams in college basketball and the Aggies were held to two second chances points and four offensive rebounds. That is getting the job done.

Tshiebwe sets the tone for the team with some elite rebounding, but that is starting to become contagious. Kentucky has found its best strength and it is on the glass. The Wildcats must continue to win the battle of the boards for the wins to keep coming.