Kyle Tucker- "Increasingly Likely that Oscar Returns"

[JwUKFan11]

So Ugo is pretty good offensive skills? Based on what exactly?

If he’s a defensive force why did Ware beat him out for backup minutes? There is more to defend then shot blocker

He’s better at every aspect of being a defender over Oscar. Ugo has pretty good offensive skills based off of what we saw early last year and in high school.

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

Ugo barely played last year.

How do we know he's better at anything compared to Oscar?

It' would definitely be nice to have a rim protector back there that we have sorely lacked for so long and Ugonna is going to block his fair share of shots but we cannot seriously be comparing the overall production of Ugonna vs the overall production of Oscar.

 

[kyjeff1]

To add to that, I wouldn't be AT ALL SURPRISED if we were to learn that Cal actually encouraged the 'OLE' defense from Oscar in order to keep him out of foul trouble and on the court. That's why we need a three headed monster (Oscar, Bradshaw and ???) to man that position. Play aggressive defense, rebound like crazy, don't worry about fouls, and win ball games.

People that don't want back a NPOY are idiots or trolls, or both.

I think that's reason #1 as to why Oscar gives up buckets and honestly, I can't find too much fault in it, because foul calls on big guys seem a little unfair to me. These guys get called for fouls when opposing guards drive the paint and run into them. It’s crazy, they aren't allowed to move and Oscar has been far too important the last 2 years, couldn't have him sitting out due to foul trouble.

But, this is a problem for every big man, not just Oscar, so he has to figure it out. He can’t just let guys lay the ball in the way he has been.

 

[kyjeff1]

Ugo barely played last year.

How do we know he's better at anything compared to Oscar?

It' would definitely be nice to have a rim protector back there that we have sorely lacked for so long and Ugonna is going to block his fair share of shots but we cannot seriously be comparing the overall production of Ugonna vs the overall production of Oscar.

Yeah, there's no way Ugo is better offensively than Oscar, no way no how. Ugo showed he has no moves and his footwork just isn’t there. One on one, Oscar can dominate most centers, but Oscar is rarely left with just a single defender. Nobody is doubling Ugo.

And defensively, Ugo isn’t in the same stratosphere as Oscar. We only saw Ugo for a few plays here and there. He got scored on more than Kristy Canyon and he hasn't learned how to stay out of foul trouble either.

You can't just try to swat every ball, you do that, you'll have 2 fouls in the first minute of every game.

 

[RalphDaltonFan]

Yeah, there's no way Ugo is better offensively than Oscar, no way no how. Ugo showed he has no moves and his footwork just isn’t there. One on one, Oscar can dominate most centers, but Oscar is rarely left with just a single defender. Nobody is doubling Ugo.

And defensively, Ugo isn’t in the same stratosphere as Oscar. We only saw Ugo for a few plays here and there. He got scored on more than Kristy Canyon and he hasn't learned how to stay out of foul trouble either.

You can't just try to swat every ball, you do that, you'll have 2 fouls in the first minute of every game.

Disagree with everything said about the defensive stuff. Your reference is the Gonzaga game where he clearly was outplayed. Did you see everyone scoring on him in his other appearances? Oscar Tshiebwe is the worst defensive frontcourt player to play at Kentucky in the Calipari era since Kyle Wiltjer. Nobody outside of Oscar- holics would disagree with that take either.

 

[Runnin'Ramel]

Pay attn to MeManBoy....his source is Antigua.

Who?

 

[kyjeff1]

Disagree with everything said about the defensive stuff. Your reference is the Gonzaga game where he clearly was outplayed. Did you see everyone scoring on him in his other appearances? Oscar Tshiebwe is the worst defensive frontcourt player to play at Kentucky in the Calipari era since Kyle Wiltjer. Nobody outside of Oscar- holics would disagree with that take either.

My point is, Oscar knows he has to stay out of foul trouble, he is too important to pick up silly fouls trying to blick everything.

He definitely takes it too far though. I mean, he doesn't even try and Cal allowed it all year, which is strange.

Ugo, if he plays defense the way he was trying to play it, will get smoked by talented bigs and be in foul trouble constantly.

Oscar's experience puts him over Ugo in my opinion.

 

[dc513]

My point is, Oscar knows he has to stay out of foul trouble, he is too important to pick up silly fouls trying to blick everything.

He definitely takes it too far though. I mean, he doesn't even try and Cal allowed it all year, which is strange.

Ugo, if he plays defense the way he was trying to play it, will get smoked by talented bigs and be in foul trouble constantly.

Oscar's experience puts him over Ugo in my opinion.

How many 20/20 has Ugo had? Until he has one he should not be compared in any way with Oscar.

 

[RalphDaltonFan]

My point is, Oscar knows he has to stay out of foul trouble, he is too important to pick up silly fouls trying to blick everything.

He definitely takes it too far though. I mean, he doesn't even try and Cal allowed it all year, which is strange.

Ugo, if he plays defense the way he was trying to play it, will get smoked by talented bigs and be in foul trouble constantly.

Oscar's experience puts him over Ugo in my opinion.

You realize that was what he was told to do knowing he was a reserve? Go get everything and protect the rim. Role changes and development help young players but his minutes this year were go hard and don't worry about fouls.

Oscar Tshiebwe did a lot of great things at Kentucky. Defensively he was putrid. It's okay to admit that. He sucked. But he did get rebounds and if you are that bad defensively, that's important. But he was/is/will be a bad defensive player, nothing is going to change that.

 

[ck-2]

No. Portal stuff is pretty quiet. Did get an encouraging comment about UK making a move with Tre Johnson in '24 though.

Not encouraging to me if that means another year of CCC.

 

[RalphDaltonFan]

Not encouraging to me if that means another year of CCC.

Understand. But no matter what a guy is going to do, they have to work/recruit like they are going to be around. I mean you can't take recruiting off. Also if you believe that Scott Drew would be a primary target should Cal retire at end of '24...Tre Johnson is a big target of Baylor too. So it wouldn't hurt that he's familiar with Lexington, etc...and Tre's very close with Tyrese Maxey as well.

 

[jmp94]

Yeah, there's no way Ugo is better offensively than Oscar, no way no how. Ugo showed he has no moves and his footwork just isn’t there. One on one, Oscar can dominate most centers, but Oscar is rarely left with just a single defender. Nobody is doubling Ugo.

And defensively, Ugo isn’t in the same stratosphere as Oscar. We only saw Ugo for a few plays here and there. He got scored on more than Kristy Canyon and he hasn't learned how to stay out of foul trouble either.

You can't just try to swat every ball, you do that, you'll have 2 fouls in the first minute of every game.

This is about as dumb of a post as it gets

 

[UKWildcats1987]

This is all great discussion but may be a while until we find out about Oscar at least.

I'd be fine with Oscar, Ugo and Bradshaw in the front court with Ware in emergencies. If cal would go small ball in rare instances edwards could backup Bradshaw some so we don't see any ugonna and Oscar playing together much

 

[RalphDaltonFan]

This is all great discussion but may be a while until we find out about Oscar at least.

I'd be fine with Oscar, Ugo and Bradshaw in the front court with Ware in emergencies. If cal would go small ball in rare instances edwards could backup Bradshaw some so we don't see any ugonna and Oscar playing together much

My fear is Lance being a "Captain" is going to get in far too much.

 

[SophiesDad]

You realize that was what he was told to do knowing he was a reserve? Go get everything and protect the rim. Role changes and development help young players but his minutes this year were go hard and don't worry about fouls.

Oscar Tshiebwe did a lot of great things at Kentucky. Defensively he was putrid. It's okay to admit that. He sucked. But he did get rebounds and if you are that bad defensively, that's important. But he was/is/will be a bad defensive player, nothing is going to change that.

His defense wasn’t putrid during his junior NPOY season. He was All-SEC defensively. Maybe teams weren’t as aware and didn’t take advantage of his deficiencies and lack of lateral quickness that season. He was quicker off his feet and a better shot blocker (still not a rim protector). Also pretty good at getting steals in passing lanes. This year it was bad, but the surgery weeks before the season didn’t help. He had to play big minutes early on instead of easing back into form because we sucked. Outside of Wallace when healthy and the occasional Toppin blocks at the rim, we didn’t have a good defender that played considerable minutes. Livingston has defensive potential, but he was cooked a lot this year.

 

[SaltyCat22]

His defense wasn’t putrid during his junior NPOY season. He was All-SEC defensively. Maybe teams weren’t as aware and didn’t take advantage of his deficiencies and lack of lateral quickness that season. He was quicker off his feet and a better shot blocker (still not a rim protector). Also pretty good at getting steals in passing lanes. This year it was bad, but the surgery weeks before the season didn’t help. He had to play big minutes early on instead of easing back into form because we sucked. Outside of Wallace when healthy and the occasional Toppin blocks at the rim, we didn’t have a good defender that played considerable minutes. Livingston has defensive potential, but he was cooked a lot this year.

Joey Votto won a Gold Glove and he’s one of the worst defensive first basemen I’ve ever seen, especially the last ten or so years.

 

[SophiesDad]

Joey Votto won a Gold Glove and he’s one of the worst defensive first basemen I’ve ever seen, especially the last ten or so years.

Last ten years and he won his Golden Glove prior to that. I could also give 2 ***** about baseball and that point refutes nothing I stated. We were a better team in 2022, but there wasn’t countless threads and discussions about Oscar’s defense that season because it wasn’t near as bad as this season. The reason for that is debatable

 

[JwUKFan11]

Ugo barely played last year.

How do we know he's better at anything compared to Oscar?

It' would definitely be nice to have a rim protector back there that we have sorely lacked for so long and Ugonna is going to block his fair share of shots but we cannot seriously be comparing the overall production of Ugonna vs the overall production of Oscar.

Some of us have eyeballs I guess.

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

Some of us have eyeballs I guess.

You shouldn't trust those eyeballs if it's telling you that Ugonna is a better option than Oscar when accounting for everything.

Eyeballs tend to be bias at times and sees what they want to see.

 

[HagginHall1999]

Who?

That is the guy's Twitter handle

 

[Ash Williams]

Working their butts off? You think Oscar doesn't work his butt off?

Those dudes are going to be playing exhibition games for fun, you have them working pick axes at a rock quarry. Give me a break.

You're talking to lead belly. Block and move on. Loden buik is your clue.

 

[Aike]

Ugo barely played last year.

How do we know he's better at anything compared to Oscar?

It' would definitely be nice to have a rim protector back there that we have sorely lacked for so long and Ugonna is going to block his fair share of shots but we cannot seriously be comparing the overall production of Ugonna vs the overall production of Oscar.

All that matters is that the team produces wins.

 

[JwUKFan11]

You shouldn't trust those eyeballs if it's telling you that Ugonna is a better option than Oscar when accounting for everything.

Eyeballs tend to be bias at times and sees what they want to see.

Better option defensively is basically a fact. Scoring wise we should be a better team all around next year, and his rebounding may be the best ever and didn't matter.

 

[MidseasonTweak]

If Oscar comes back, I'll be elated.

 

[JLoad22]

Understand. But no matter what a guy is going to do, they have to work/recruit like they are going to be around. I mean you can't take recruiting off. Also if you believe that Scott Drew would be a primary target should Cal retire at end of '24...Tre Johnson is a big target of Baylor too. So it wouldn't hurt that he's familiar with Lexington, etc...and Tre's very close with Tyrese Maxey as well.

Drew is a negative-recruiting scumbag and will never be head coach at UK.

 

[sa_hunt]

You know the people that follow college basketball and may hate Kentucky Wildcats hope and pray Oscar doesn't return. If he does with these skilled players coming in it's over. This would be like the twins and WCS saying they are returning. This will get Cal back in the swing of things. This is truly want the program needs. It's gonna feel like 2009-2015 here again if Oscar comes back.

No it’s gonna feel like our ceiling just plateaued.

 

[sa_hunt]

A very reduced role are you serious? One of the best rebounder college basketball has ever seen and you want him to have a reduced role? He doesn't need a reduced role other than the offense not being ran through him but still getting him touches and letting him get his points off offensive rebounds and dishes off of gaurd penetration. Let him get iso touches every now and then and the free throw line jumpers as well but he just needs a shot blocker out there with him and we would be ready to go then. Some of you can't be Kentucky fans trying to push this narrative that Oscar needs a very reduced role. Get outta here with that nonsense. Things don't have to be all or nothing.

And now we all know how much about basketball you know.

 

[sa_hunt]

How many 20/20 has Ugo had? Until he has one he should not be compared in any way with Oscar.

Oh my, another dude that is spewing Oscars inflated stats due to him being selfish and always out of position to rebound.

 

[lj bulldog]

Oh my, another dude that is spewing Oscars inflated stats due to him being selfish and always out of position to rebound.

Oscar wasn't the problem for this year's team or last year. Lack of a point guard who could penetrate and shoot from the outside was the problem. That problem will go away with the guards we have coming in this fall.

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

All that matters is that the team produces wins.

True. But I think it’s a hard argument to make this team is better and wins more with Ugonna getting significant mins over Oscar.

We produced quite a bit of wins in year one of Oscar

 

[Aike]

True. But I think it’s a hard argument to make this team is better and wins more with Ugonna getting significant mins over Oscar.

We produced quite a bit of wins in year one of Oscar

It’s an unprovable argument. I haven’t seen enough of Ugonna to know what he might produce next year, but I would rather have a player like him in the post than Oscar.

We were 6-4 to end the season in 22 and 6-4 to end the season in 23. We were an abysmal 1-4 in tournament play in the 2 years combined.

I’m not saying to hang it all on Oscar, but his empty stats aren’t getting it done when it matters. I would rather do something different than roll Oscar back out for another round of 32 loss. This isn’t Indiana.

 

[sa_hunt]

Oscar wasn't the problem for this year's team or last year. Lack of a point guard who could penetrate and shoot from the outside was the problem. That problem will go away with the guards we have coming in this fall.

I agree, he wasn't THE problem but make no mistake he contributed to poor performances greatly.

 

[track42]

It’s an unprovable argument. I haven’t seen enough of Ugonna to know what he might produce next year, but I would rather have a player like him in the post than Oscar.

We were 6-4 to end the season in 22 and 6-4 to end the season in 23. We were an abysmal 1-4 in tournament play in the 2 years combined.

I’m not saying to hang it all on Oscar, but his empty stats aren’t getting it done when it matters. I would rather do something different than roll Oscar back out for another round of 32 loss. This isn’t Indiana.

Actually he DID get it done when it mattered.He played well in all the tourney games.It was our guards who fell apart.

 

[Wildcat1997]

I would be surprised if he didn’t come back

 

[Jont0805]

Disagree with everything said about the defensive stuff. Your reference is the Gonzaga game where he clearly was outplayed. Did you see everyone scoring on him in his other appearances? Oscar Tshiebwe is the worst defensive frontcourt player to play at Kentucky in the Calipari era since Kyle Wiltjer. Nobody outside of Oscar- holics would disagree with that take either.

So you would put Lance ware ahead of Oscar?

 

[Aike]

Actually he DID get it done when it mattered.He played well in all the tourney games.It was our guards who fell apart.

Like I said, he put up a lot of empty stats.

I’m not even trying to blame him for everything. But I would think it would be clear by now that having Oscar as the centerpiece of your team doesn’t lead to championship level basketball.

I get that fans like him. I’m sure some of you would rather see Oscar chase 20/20 nights than compete for a championship.

Or maybe you think Cal is washed and we’re going to lose anyway, so might as well have an All American putting up video game rebound numbers.

But I have trouble reconciling the position that keeping Oscar around will help lead us to a Title.

One, it hasn’t come close to working yet. Two, Cal doesn’t seem to want him here. Three, Oscar doesn’t seem to want to be here.

Seems like a recipe for disaster to me.

 

[RalphDaltonFan]

So you would put Lance ware ahead of Oscar?

I wouldn't have Lance Ware on my team ever. But that's an entirely different category. As for the statement, Oscar is better than Ware, so you are correct to point that out.

 

[RalphDaltonFan]

Like I said, he put up a lot of empty stats.

I’m not even trying to blame him for everything. But I would think it would be clear by now that having Oscar as the centerpiece of your team doesn’t lead to championship level basketball.

I get that fans like him. I’m sure some of you would rather see Oscar chase 20/20 nights than compete for a championship.

Or maybe you think Cal is washed and we’re going to lose anyway, so might as well have an All American putting up video game rebound numbers.

But I have trouble reconciling the position that keeping Oscar around will help lead us to a Title.

One, it hasn’t come close to working yet. Two, Cal doesn’t seem to want him here. Three, Oscar doesn’t seem to want to be here.

Seems like a recipe for disaster to me.

That latter 3 things you said seem to resonate the most with me. It's a time bomb waiting to go off. Oscar wouldn't get near the $ he did last year. which sure wouldn't have things off to a great start either. I'd also add this conflicting info (Program/Oscar say he's prepping for the Draft but Kyle Tucker wanted to be projecting something "breaking news" worthy because he didn't get to talk with parents/players who knew some things going on and then slowly walked it back today by saying he never said "I guarantee he'll return") isn't helping the Portal recruiting one bit. If Oscar returns, others aren't coming. So while it pains many of you to hear this-you better recruit like he's not coming back and same with everyone else "testing the waters". Otherwise, you are stuck with a short roster and it's just bad management, something we've seen far too much from the program recently.

 

[track42]

That latter 3 things you said seem to resonate the most with me. It's a time bomb waiting to go off. Oscar wouldn't get near the $ he did last year. which sure wouldn't have things off to a great start either. I'd also add this conflicting info (Program/Oscar say he's prepping for the Draft but Kyle Tucker wanted to be projecting something "breaking news" worthy because he didn't get to talk with parents/players who knew some things going on and then slowly walked it back today by saying he never said "I guarantee he'll return") isn't helping the Portal recruiting one bit. If Oscar returns, others aren't coming. So while it pains many of you to hear this-you better recruit like he's not coming back and same with everyone else "testing the waters". Otherwise, you are stuck with a short roster and it's just bad management, something we've seen far too much from the program recently.

Others aren't coming anyway.They don't want to play for Cal.

 

[Tampa_cat54_rivals112262]

Others aren't coming anyway.They don't want to play for Cal.

Dude relax. That has nothing to do with it.

Cal got us the #1 overall class this year with 4 Top-10 recruits and another McD's AA in-state player. Also, almost every transfer he has brought in has been impact (Reeves, Oscar, Grady, Mintz, Toppin, etc.)

Cal's problem is coaching and that he CHOSE this past season to not add more pieces, it has absolutely zero to do with top players not wanting to play here.

Just blindly hating at this point if that's the critique of choice.

There is PLENTY to complain about when it comes to Cal, let's at least make it accurate.

We could have our pick of the litter in the portal if we WANTED- the problem is that Cal needs to actually start going out and trying to get kids!