Orlando Antigua analyzes Kentucky's physicality

Kentucky is one of the best rebounding teams in the country, and they have Oscar Tshiebwe to thank for that. His physicality, on the glass and on the floor, is contagious for his teammates and assistant coach Orlando Antigua believes that’s one of the biggest catalysts for the Wildcats’ turnaround during the second half of the season.

“Physically, I think as the season has gone on, we’ve gotten into a great rhythm in terms of what we determine we need to do with this team in terms of controlling the glass when Oscar [Tshiebwe] isn’t rebounding the ball — other teammates have to step in and rebound,” Antigua said Monday.

“Often times he’s getting double and triple-teamed and guys are sending three of four guys to the glass. There are opportunities for all the guys to be physical in terms of our tags and our pick-and-roll defense.”

Even though Tshiebwe goes up and grabs rebounds over four defenders like it’s nothing, his physicality is actually down from his Wooden Award-winning season one year ago. He knows how valuable he is to his team, meaning more often than not he’s stuck giving up free points in the paint because of how easy it is for him to get called for a foul.

Tshiebwe’s blocking numbers are down from a season ago from 55 all the way down to 19. He’s fouled out twice this season and has finished with four fouls on four other occasions. Aside from Jacob Toppin, no other Wildcat averages more than four rebounds per game for Kentucky this season.

Still, the ‘Cats have won six of its last seven since their ill-fated loss to South Carolina inside Rupp Arena. Whatever UK is doing — it’s working and there’s no time to slow down now with less than a month left in the regular season.