ESPN names Kentucky title favorite, Oscar Tshiebwe preseason SEC POY
ESPN’s core group of college basketball analysts are high on the Kentucky Wildcats going into the 2022-23 season. Very high.
Joe Lunardi, Myron Medcalf, Jeff Borzello and John Gasaway came together for an SEC conference preview, where Kentucky was not only singled out as a favorite in the league, but a favorite to win the national championship. Star center Oscar Tshiebwe was also named the consensus preseason SEC Player of the Year by the outlet.
Lunardi, college basketball’s most popular bracketologist, named Kentucky as his early favorite to win it all next April.
“If I had to bet a mortgage payment today, without seeing a minute of any game, Kentucky would be my pick for the national championship,” Lunardi wrote. “The Wildcats have the Player of the Year favorite along with other proven veterans. They also have the usual immediate contributors coming in (but not too many so as to require a lengthy acclimation period). And, of course, they have the “chip on their shoulder” factor based on last season’s ignominious NCAA tournament exit.”
Borzello is similarly optimistic, calling the Wildcats a legit Final Four contender who will be in the conversation to win the title by the end of the season. Tshiebwe and Bob Cousy Award finalist Sahvir Wheeler are clear difference-makers, but he expects Jacob Toppin to be the key to Kentucky’s success.
“I think the Wildcats will be in the Final Four and national championship conversation come March — although they were also in that mix last season, before some late-season struggles and ultimately, of course, the shocking upset at the hands of the Peacocks,” Borzello said. “But Tshiebwe is a game-changer on the interior and Wheeler is one of the best point guards in the country. Above all, I think Toppin’s performance will be key. He was a standout on the team’s preseason trip to the Bahamas, with a mix of length, explosiveness and inside-outside scoring ability unmatched by anyone else on the roster. If he hits his potential.”
Medcalf and Gasaway are both high on the Cats, but have questions regarding the team’s 3-point shooting.
“I think Calipari understands the stakes around this season and will do everything in his power to reach the Final Four,” Medcalf wrote. “I also think Tshiebwe will capture another Wooden Award and follow Ralph Sampson as the only two-time winner. And he has enough of a supporting cast to get the Wildcats back to where their fan base believes they belong every year. But I’m still concerned about their 3-point shooting. Kentucky hasn’t hit more than 36% of its 3-pointers since 2016. Three of the past four national champions all topped 39%. Does Kentucky have the shooters to win it all? We’ll find out.”
“Calipari’s incoming transfers, Fredrick and Reeves, are expected to help there, and they had better — returning Wildcats made just 20 3s last year,” Gasaway added.
Elsewhere, ESPN’s panel of analysts named listed Tennessee, Arkansas and Alabama as potential contenders in the SEC, while Texas A&M is a program not being talked about enough in the league.
Take a look at the outlet’s entire SEC breakdown here.
Going back to ESPN’s preseason SEC Player of the Year, Oscar Tshiebwe, the star center sat down with Stadium’s Jeff Goodman to discuss his decision to return for his senior season — one he credits to God.
When it came time to choose between turning pro or coming back for another year of college basketball, Tshiebwe says God told him he wasn’t done making an impact on and off the floor as a Wildcat.
“I’m the type of person who doesn’t really do what’s best for me, I ask God for his instructions. I went to the mountains, there are mountains in Kentucky. Before I made my decision, I spent my time fasting and praying so I could talk to God. One thing God told me, ‘I’m not done with you in college basketball. Not just to be the head of college basketball, but to inspire many people to know who God is.
“I came to Kentucky not with a dream of becoming National Player of the Year — but I did have a dream of becoming the national leading rebounder. And I did.”
Now he’s back for round two.
UK Director of Player Development TJ Beisner added that the story of Tshiebwe telling John Calipari he was returning for another season is Disney-quality, a scene certain to give you goosebumps.
Start writing the movie script, Disney. And make sure it ends with Tshiebwe holding up the NCAA title trophy in the final scene.
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