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Men's Basketball

Exploring the the Brother Like Bond Formed Between Oscar Tshiebwe and Ugonna Onyenso

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2 years ago

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Tristan Pharis/ KY Insider

If you arrive at a Kentucky basketball game early enough, you will catch Oscar Tshiebwe and Ugonna Onyenso battling each other one-on-one in warmups. The battles are filled with competition, but also smiles and laughter, two things that have been scarce at times this season.

Both coming from Africa, the two have created a brother-like bond, sharing many of the same experiences. At 23 years old, Tshiebwe assumed the older brother role “immediately” and has been an invaluable help to the 18-year-old Onyenso, both on and off the court.

On the court, they build up each other, specifically in practice, where they say the battles are most intense. Tshiebwe possesses the physicality that Onyenso needs to improve against, the same can be said for Oneynso possessing the length that Tshiebwe needs to improve against.

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“We go at each other in practice, every time. Every time,” Onyenso tells KY Insider. “To get me ready for the next level. He helps me, I help him. It’s a 50/50 thing.” As a sign of improvement, Onyenso says he has won the last two-three battles, “surprising” Tshiebwe in the process.

Yet, off the court, is where most of the teaching and learning is happening. When asked specifically, Tshiebwe says he is teaching four specific things to his newest teammate:

  1. Be a fighter.
  2. Stay in the gym, always keep improving,
  3. Treat others with respect, “treat them how you would want to be treated.”
  4. Keep God in your life.

Using these four key principles, Tshiebwe believes he is preparing Onyenso for “his time”, saying, “I just want to get him ready for when I am not here.”

That starts with a fighting spirit. “He (Tshiebwe) is always telling me, ‘Know where you come from,’” Onyenso says. “Where we are from, being from Africa, we need to work. We should have that fighting spirit in us, we don’t quit. He always tells me, whenever things get harder, that’s when I know I am really working.”

Yet, it doesn’t stop there. Leaning into the narrative that Tshiebwe is different from the rest of the roster, Onyenso actually confirms that, but not for the reasons you may immediately think of.

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“Oscar is very different,” Onyenso tells KY Insider. “For someone who is National Player of the Year, he doesn’t act like it. It’s a very good thing. He treats people the same way. He treats every with the same love and the same respect.”

This example being set for Onyenso is “big” for him as he wishes “to follow in his (Tshiebwe) footsteps.”

When asked what he wants to be remembered for most at the end of his time in Lexington, Onyenso didn’t answer with any accolades, but would rather be remembered for the person he strives to be. Without hesitation, “Not on the court, but off the court. The kind of person I am, the kind of impact I want to have on people. How I am willing to help people any way I can.”

At a time when people are talking about Tshiebwe’s ball-screen defense and not living up to his performance from last season, it is just as important to talk about his humanity. That is something that be seen in his relationship with Onyenso.

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Also published on A Sea of Blue.

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Men's Basketball

Former Kentucky Player, Top Recruit Could Be Involved in Point Shaving Scheme

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22 hours ago

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November 23, 2024

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Kentucky transfer Aaron Bradshaw is alleged to be involved in a college gambling scandal.

Once a projected top-10 pick, former Kentucky Wildcat Aaron Bradshaw is now away from the Ohio State basketball program for unclear reasons.

On Friday, the program released a statement that Bradshaw is not currently participating in team activities, but that they could not comment further due to federal privacy laws.

“Aaron Bradshaw is not currently participating in team activities,” the statement read. “The university is following its established process. Due to federal privacy laws, we cannot share further information at this time.”

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Ohio State coach Jake Diebler held a press conference Friday night after the Buckeyes’ win over Campbell, where he said could not provide further comment and referred to the University’s public statement.

“Regarding Aaron, I understand you may have some questions,” Diebler said to open his postgame press conference. “As stated, have to refer to the statement that was released and can’t have any comment on that. Respect the job you have to do. Just know I cannot comment on that any further.”

This comes shortly after news of a federal investigation into sports wagering activities broke earlier this week. Former Temple and Virginia Tech guard Hysier Miller was dismissed from the Hokies last month due to the investigation which first started after the Owls were flagged in March by a watchdog group for suspicious gambling activity.

With more names expected to be released in the coming weeks, the investigation has begun to narrow its search to players with ties to Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delaware. Of course, Bradshaw is from Camden, New Jersey, just across the Deleware River from Philadelphia, and those with knowledge of the situation are suggesting he could be involved.

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Court documents do show that Bradshaw recently failed to appear in court following a speeding violation, where he was clocked at 102 mph in a 65 mph zone. However, similar situations of student-athletes speeding have not been handled in this fashion.

The wording of the statement does not make it seem like a minor incident that will soon blow over. This is certainly something to keep an eye on, with some believing it could lead to a nationwide ban on college sports betting.

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Kentucky vs. Jackson State: TV/Streaming Info, Keys to the Game, and Betting Odds/Predictions

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2 days ago

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November 22, 2024

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Kentucky players encouraging each other at Rupp Arena.
Chet White | UK Athletics

The Kentucky Wildcats are back in action Friday to face the Jackson State Tigers in the second game of the BBN Invitational.

To put it simply, Jackson State is bad, very bad. Sitting at 0-5 and ranked 321st in KenPom, the Tigers will likely be the worst opponent Kentucky will play all season.

Coached by Mo Williams, one of LeBron James’ old teammates with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Tigers have only finished above .500 twice in the last decade. This season, Jackson State is predicted to finish fourth in the SWAC.

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Mark Pope recently said he wanted to build a standard, regardless of opponent and, and that will be tested on Friday.

Let’s take a look at the matchup.

More 3-Point Attempts

Admittedly nitpicking, one of the things that Mark Pope was not happy with in Kentucky’s win over Lipscomb was the amount of three-point attempts. While they shot nearly 50 percent from deep, going 12-25, Pope wants to see the number of attempts closer to 35.

The Tigers have allowed their opponents to shoot 47.8 percent from deep, the second-worst mark in the country. Pope and the staff will certainly generate a game plan to take advantage of this. Expect to see 30+ attempts.

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Ball Movement

Despite beating Lipscomb by 29 points, the Wildcats had a season-low in assists with just ten. For context, Kentucky had averaged more than 23 assists per game entering the matchup.

“That’s not us. That’s not who we are,” Pope said after the game.

While there wasn’t a lot of selfishness, the ball just wasn’t ‘flying’ as it has been early this season. This is a priority for the staff and this mature group, and they will aim for 25+ assists.

Keep JSU off the Free-Throw Line

Jackson State ranks in the top 100 nationally in one area: Free throws made per game. So, Kentucky, defend without fouling.

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Kentucky’s offense makes headlines, but the defense has played very well to start the season, holding all four opponents to under 73 points. Let’s see if they can get down in a stance and defend well for 40 minutes vs. a team that stresses contact and drawing fouls.

Opposing Players to Watch

C Shannon Grant 6-11, 290 lbs

  • 7.5 PPG
  • 4.8
  • Preseason All-SWAC First Team selection

G Jayme Mitchell Jr 6-5, 190 lbs

  • 15.0 PPG
  • 3.8 RPG
  • 44.4% 3P

F Romelle Mansel 6-9, 220 lbs

  • 10.8 PPG
  • 5.8 RPG
  • 31.7% FG (second most FG attempts on the team)

Kentucky Wildcats Basketball vs. Jackson State Tigers

Time: 7 PM ET on November 22nd
Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY
TV Channel: This game will not be on TV and is streaming only,
Online Stream: SEC Network+, ESPN+, and the ESPN app.
Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the radio call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
Replay: WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings).
Rosters: UK | JSU
Stats to Know: UK | JSU
KenPom: UK | JSU
Team Sheet: UK | JSU

Odds: FanDuel Sportsbook has yet to release the odds for the game, so check Thursday afternoon for an official spread. Multiple projections give Kentucky a 99% chance of winning: Bart Torvik (99%), EvanMiya (99.9%), and ESPN (99.0%). The exception is KenPom (92%).

Predictions: KenPom (93-63), Haslametrics (96-63), Bart Torvik (95-61), and EvanMiya (96-59) all are going with a 30+ point victory, Kentucky!

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Kentucky Basketball Players Say They Think About Winning National Championship “Every Second”

Published

6 days ago

on

November 18, 2024

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Kentucky basketball players celebrate after their big over Duke.
IMAGN

The expectations at Kentucky are the highest of any school in the country, and there is good reason why. The winningest college program ever. Eight national titles, under five different coaches. Seventeen Final Four appearances. You get it, a lot of success.

Fans want the players to have those same expectations. Despite not having the elite talent or preseason hype of great Kentucky teams past, this year’s team still has their eyes set on doing something “people will remember forever”, winning a national championship.

Asked on social media, if hanging banner #9 was all the players thought about “every second”, Ansley Almonor had a response.

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“We do.”

It takes a lot to win a national championship, including some luck, but this team is certainly going to be loved for their desire to live out their dream of playing at Kentucky and their unselfishness. Those two things can take them a long way this season .

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