Collins, Thiero Provide Surprising Lift Off the Bench in Ole Miss Win

The short-handed Wildcats received significant contributions from a pair of unlikely sources in Kentucky’s 75-66 win over Ole Miss. Adou Thiero and Daimion Collins did not do the heavy lifting, but each talented underclassmen gave the Cats a much-needed spark off the bench.

With Cason Wallace sidelined by a leg contusion, Kentucky was going to need Thiero in spurts. They needed him even more when Sahvir Wheeler rolled his ankle in the first half. The lengthy freshman guard did not fill up the stat sheet (2 FTs, 1 REB, 1 AST, 1 BLK), but he did not commit one turnover in six minutes of action.

Daimion Collins provided a few more fireworks, particularly this dunk in transition.

Daimion AND ONE 💥 pic.twitter.com/nHFPfj42lN
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 1, 2023

That was Collins’ first made field goal since he tallied 21 minutes in the loss to South Carolina. It was Thiero’s first significant minutes since the victory over Georgia two weeks ago.

“How about Daimion today? Daimion and Adou have not played in three games and they go in and play well,” Calipari said after the victory. “They got the hardest job, them and Ugonna. The other guys you’re playing. You know to get yourself ready. How about get yourself ready and you’re not sure if you’re going to play or not?”

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Collins had four points in two minutes of action in the first half and he grabbed a rebound. Calipari did not reinsert the sophomore forward back into the game in the second half, but was proud of the way Collins performed.

“I love seeing him smile. You understand what he’s been through? His Dad passed. His Dad was his best friend, would’ve been his best man at his wedding, and in Lexington passed away. All of a sudden he loses 16 pounds. Now we’re playing other people and now he finally got a chance. I told him before the game and I told Lance, I’m gonna go with him because I’m going to see if we get a little more length on the court, and that’s him,” said Calipari.

Kentucky does not need either to be world-beaters, but the Wildcats will need Adou Thiero and Daimion Collins in spurts. They delivered Tuesday night at Ole Miss.