Ugonna Onyenso becoming a vital contributor off the bench for Wildcats

Since returning to the lineup for the Kentucky Wildcats against North Carolina in mid-December, Ugonna Onyenso has been making an impact on the defensive side of the ball, especially down on the low block, swatting shots at the rim.

In just seven games this season, Onyenso is averaging 2.14 blocks per game and has tallied nine blocks in his past two games against Texas A&M and Mississippi State.

Down in College Station was by far the most minutes Ugo had played this season, 32 minutes due to Aaron Bradshaw’s foul trouble. The sophomore big man also added 10 rebounds against the Aggies.

While it was fair to have reservations about Ugo coming into this season, he has been proving himself to be a valuable asset off the bench, coming in for short spurts and providing some much-needed rim protection for a defense that is still trying to find its footing.