LEXINGTON – The word had barely escaped John Calipari’s lips when he seemed to sense how silly it sounded.
In describing Oscar Tshiebwe as “bullied” Tuesday night, Kentucky’s head basketball coach raised expectations beyond ridiculous. The observation ran contrary to empirical evidence, statistical analysis and the sustained and stunning excellence of college basketball’s preeminent rebounder.
With 18 points and 15 rebounds, Tshiebwe had led the Wildcats in both categories during an 83-72 victory over Ole Miss, completing his 24th double-double in 30 games and his 12th in a row. If he was pushed around, it was in the same sense as the boulder that kept rolling back on Sisyphus.