Already assured that Sahvir Wheeler could be the classic point guard that Kentucky lacked last season, John Calipari set three preconditions for a transfer from Georgia to UK.
The first?
“You’ve got to be a disruptive defensive player . . . ,” Calipari recalled Thursday. “That’s without fouling.”
Through three games, Wheeler’s six steals tie another transfer, Kellan Grady, for the team lead.
Friday night’s opponent, Ohio, is led in scoring by its point guard, Mark Sears, who averages 19.3 points. Last season Sears made the Mid-American Conference’s All-Freshman Team.
“The best thing about him is he is an attacker and penetrator,” Ohio Coach Jeff Boals said of Sears after the opening-game victory over Belmont. “He is a gamer and is determined to score. Nothing fazes the kid. He is such a laid-back kid who has put the time and work in, and we will keep building on his skills.”
The second condition for the 5-foot-9 Wheeler?
Learn to shoot more floaters.
“Because you’re not big enough to just go in and try to shoot layups . . . ,” Calipari said. “I still don’t think he’s shooting enough floaters. . . . He probably leads our team in shots blocked.”
Wheeler has had six of his shots blocked. So has freshman TyTy Washington.
Before UK played Mount St. Mary’s this week, Wheeler said that until this season he had not had one of his shots blocked in about three years.
“Then he didn’t play big teams like we’re playing,” Calipari said. “I don’t know what to tell you.”
The third condition for Wheeler?
“You can’t shoot 22 percent from three,” Calipari said.
Wheeler made 22.5 percent of his three-point shots for Georgia last season (18 of 80). He made 32 percent of his three-point shots (16 of 50) the previous season.
In UK’s first three games this season, Wheeler has made three of six shots from beyond the arc.
Overall, Boals said Wheeler “just makes them go.”
When asked how Wheeler fit in the pantheon of standout point guards the last 13 seasons, Calipari paid him the ultimate compliment.
“Probably more like Tyler Ulis than anybody I’ve had,” he said. That includes being a leader off the court as well as on.
“Players need to know we’re all in this together,” Calipari said. “And we’re holding each other accountable.”
Rebound rules
Going into Thursday’s games, Oscar Tshiebwe led Division I in rebounding average (18.7 rpg) and offensive rebounding average (9.0 per game).
Incidentally, Johni Broome of Morehead State was tied for second in offensive rebounds with an average of 6.0 per game.
Calipari said he had set rules for Tshiebwe attempting to score on put-backs.
“If you rebound and your shoulders are facing (the basket), you shoot it,” the UK coach said. “If your back is to the rim, you kick it out.”
Calipari suggested there may be more kick-outs than put-backs.
“What happened is he’s got 19 guys blocking him out,” the UK coach said by way of using exaggeration to make his point. “And when he rebounds it, he ends up eight out of 10 times with his back to the basket.”
‘Unfathomable’
Ohio is aware of Tshiebwe’s ability to rebound.
When asked to assess Kentucky’s team, Boals immediately mentioned Tshiebwe’s rebound average.
“The biggest thing that stands out is 18.7 rebounds,” the Ohio coach said. “That’s unfathomable. That’s, like, Jerry Lucas numbers.”
Lucas, an All-American for Ohio State, averaged 17.2 rebounds for the Buckeyes from 1959-60 through 1961-62.
By the way, “unfathomable” is defined as “incapable of being fully explored or understood.”
‘I don’t know’
Injuries prevented Jacob Toppin (shoulder) and Lance Ware (ankle) from playing against Mount St. Mary’s.
Toppin has not played since the opening game against Duke. Ware played 77 seconds against Mount St. Mary’s.
When asked about Toppin and/or Ware playing against Ohio, Calipari said, “Hopefully, they’re getting closer. Will they play tomorrow? I don’t know.”
Fans are watching
Not for the first time, Calipari said that a competitive spirit is key.
“Now, do we have fighters?” he asked. “All our fans, the four million of them that live in this state and the 100 million who live everywhere else . . . are watching to say who fights and who doesn’t. Who guards and who doesn’t. Who rebounds and who doesn’t.”
Etc.
Mike Morgan and Mark Wise will call the game for the SEC Network.
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