Getty Image / Jared C Tilton
As is the case most years, Kentucky entered this year’s NCAA Tournament with high hopes.
Their 6-seed was a bit lower than what they’re used to, but they were favored to win each of their first two games in the tournament.
They won the first, but fell short against Kansas State today.
There are pleny of things that can be pointed at as reasons for the loss. The team turned the ball over 16 times. Their 2nd leading scorer went 1/16 from the field and didn’t make a shot until there were 6 seconds left in the game. Their defense also had no answer for Markquis Howell.
One place we can’t look for an explanation on why Kentucky lost is Oscar Tshiebwe’s performance.
As has become a regular occurrence for Tshiebwe over the past couple of years, he was dominant against Kansas State.
He posted an impressive stat line with 25 points and 18 rebounds and made NCAA history along the way.
According to CBS Sports, Tshiebwe is the first player ever to pull down 15 rebounds in each of his first 3 NCAA Tournament games.
Oscar Tshiebwe is the first player with 15+ rebounds in each of his first 3 career Men's NCAA Tournament games since 1973 pic.twitter.com/Dwp4OZbhK1
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 19, 2023
It’s an impressive record, but it also raises a big question. How has Oscar Tshiebwe only played in 3 NCAA Tournament games in his career?
It’s something you just don’t usually see from college basketball stars like Tshiebwe, especially when they spend half of their career at a blue blood program.
He started his career at West Virginia, which means he has played for 2 of the most successful coaches in college basketball over the course of his career.
He had a strong freshman year with the Mountaineers, but the tournament was canceled and he didn’t play in the team’s first round game the following year.
Last year, Tshiebwe was the best player in college basketball. This year, he was an All-American 2nd teamer.
Despite that, this Kentucky program has only played 3 NCAA Tournament games during that time.
The disappointment of their early exit last year is well documented. The team was eliminated in the first round by 15-seed St Peter’s, bringing an early end to Tshiebwe’s first tournament appearance.
This year’s outcome was less surprising, but it is still a shame that college basketball fans will never get the chance to see Tshiebwe make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.