Faltering Georgia Presents Chance for Oscar Tshiebwe to Regain Vital Form

Oscar Tshiebwe has a chance to break out of his offensive and defensive funk on Saturday in Athens, taking on the same team he scored 37 points against less than a month ago.

Oscar Tshiebwe will enter Saturday afternoon's road matchup against Georgia playing perhaps the worst basketball of his storied Kentucky career. 

On both the offensive and defensive end, Florida and Arkansas were each able to nullify the larger-than-life figure under the basket. 

Tshiebwe shot 2-14 against the Gators, scoring four points — though he managed 15 rebounds — then followed up that performance with just seven points and seven boards in a 15-point loss to the Razorbacks. It's only the second time in his tenure as a Wildcat that he's played two consecutive games without scoring 10 or more points. 

The scoring issues are new, but the now proven liability he's becoming on defense has been around since the beginning of the season. Of the eight teams that have defeated UK, almost all have explained the game plan to attack Tshiebwe when he's on defense, primarily throwing him into ball screens — something that has become a prolific talking point in Lexington. 

Since Tshiebwe first took the floor for UK last season, his usual dominance has been evident. Multiple mammoth outings from the West Virginia transfer have saved the Wildcats' backside while he simultaneously stole the hearts of Big Blue Nation. 

Despite the stunning first-round exit to Saint Peter's in the NCAA Tournament, the 2021-22 season will always be remembered in the Bluegrass as the year that Tshiebwe dominated and became the program's first-ever unanimous National Player of the Year. 

Though he'll always be remembered fondly, the past week of basketball from the big man has left a sour taste in the mouths of many. There's a clear lack of authority and superiority from Tshiebwe on the court this season, compared to a year ago. 

It was less than a month ago that he acquired a career-high 37 points and 24 rebounds in a win over Georgia. In the six games following that superb outing, he's averaging 10.8 points and 12 rebounds-per-game. 

(Calling a double-double below par feels inherently wrong, but it's the bar that Tshiebwe has set for himself.)

So, what better way to kick that "slump" than another matchup against the team you scored 37 points against just a few weeks ago? 

The feeling will be different, as the second game between Kentucky and Georgia will take place inside Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, but the players on the court are the same. 

UGA is 1-5 since its defeat to the Cats — including losses to Vanderbilt and Ole Miss, both of which came at home. The Bulldogs are allowing 81.6 PPG during that span of games. 

The table is set for the return of a dominant version of Tshiebwe on both ends of the ball. Forward Jacob Toppin is expecting just that. 

"Yesterday he was in a good mindset," Toppin said of his teammate. "We're prepared for him to have a big night against Georgia, because he has a good mindset right now and he's been in the gym working on what he needs to work on. Staying assignment sound on the defensive end and ball screen coverage, because we all know that teams are taking advantage of him right now, and he's taking that personal." 

Georgia will do what every other team has done as of late: run the pick-and-roll, try and get Tshiebwe in no-man's land and take advantage from there. 

Toppin said that Kentucky scrimmaged for about 35 minutes on Thursday, with all of the time being focused on defending the pesky ball screens: 

"He's gonna get better at ball screen coverage, but it's not just him. It's the guards fighting over screens. It's us in the backside helping out on weak side defense. So we're excited to see what he's going to do, because we know the type of player he's capable of being so I'm excited to see what he's going to do tomorrow."

Unlocking the old Tshiebwe is vital if the Wildcats wish to finish the season strong and earn a bid to March Madness. Without his presence meaning something in the paint, UK is lost once the ball gets past the perimeter. 

Toppin has spoken about his mental battles he's faced throughout the season, so he's well aware that when things aren't going right on the court, it takes a toll emotionally, as well as physically. 

He's now doing what he can to keep Tshiebwe— the face of the team — chipper as he seeks the form he's held for a majority of his time as a Wildcat. 

"Right now, it's mental for him. We all know what he can do on the court and how effective he can be. But at times when he catches the ball, or when things aren't going his way, it messes with his mind," Toppin said. "I try to take him out of that and help him understand that 'it's okay like, you're not going to have a good game, every game, like you were National Player of the Year and you've had many games that you were really great at. So if you have two bad games, like it's not the end of the world.'"

Tshiebwe, Toppin and the Cats will throw down with the Bulldogs for the final time in the regular season on Saturday afternoon, with tipoff set for noon EST. The pivotal conference matchup will air on ESPN. 

UK may once again have injury issues on its hands down the stretch. More HERE.

More on the loss to Arkansas HERE.

More on Daimion Collins HERE.

Game notes from the defeat can be found HERE.

Everything John Calipari said after the loss HERE.

Want the latest on national football and basketball recruiting, including Cats targets? Head over to SI All-American for the latest news, blogs, and updates about the nation's best prospects.

Sports Illustrated also offers insight, information and up to the minute details for gamblers. Check it out here