Kentucky Basketball: Wheeler led Wildcats crush Tar Heels from tip to horn

Tshiebwe limited by fouls still contributes but backups for him emerge

It’s inevitable teams will double and triple Tshiebwe in the paint if they have the manpower and size to accomplish the feat and he will get in foul trouble.

Such was the case in this game where he grabbed seven boards early on before getting sent to the bench. He picked up a foul just 90 seconds into the game and at the 12:37 mark of the first half was whistled for his second foul and sent to the bench.

The question was who, if anyone, would pick up the slack inside and reak havoc like Tshiebwe does.

Lance Ware was singled out by Calipari for playing very well in 14 minutes getting just a single point, grabbing four rebounds but his big physical body continued to wear down the Tar Heels.

The rest of the players just all seemed to pitch in and do what was needed. Keion Brooks started and stepped up 10 points and 3 rebounds and with players knocking down shots from outside drew the UNC defense out.

Tshiebwe was asked about how good of a rebounding job his team did around him.

"“Yes, sir. That really making my job easy and it really helps the team. I told them, I said, I want to go out there and grab 20 rebounds if you guys not going for it. Being able to help with this team is what we’re doing right now, so we had a lot of conversation, let’s talk, let’s go for every rebound. Like I grabbed today 12, Keion was going for rebounds, everybody was going for rebounds, and one of the things I do, if I see my teammates, we jump together, but I see him, he got it, I’m not going for it. Because if I’m trying to fight we might lose it. So I just play for the team, and I’m enjoying what we’re doing right now. They’re not just letting me do all the work. Glad they’re helping me.”"

Kellan Grady found his form from downtown netting 18 points on 5 of 7 shots from 3-point range hitting their mark. Davion Mintz too was rattling shots home for 6 points from long range.

That team effort led Kentucky to sustain its lead and convert for their big man till he returned late.