By Neil Schmidt
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LEXINGTON - One may wonder how Tubby Smith best motivates his Kentucky Wildcats.

Scripture verses, perhaps? A little Norman Vincent Peale?

Nah. Call 'em girls.

"Son, (you) look like Tarzan, play like Jane," the coach told Kelenna Azubuike five weeks ago.

This wasn't a first, for Smith regularly challenges his players' manhood. Yet watching Azubuike now attack the basket, it's clear this message hit home.

"He was right," Azubuike said of Smith's analysis. "If Coach ever says something, the right way to respond is to get mad and try to prove him wrong."

Point taken. The 6-foot-5, 208-pound sophomore swingman muscled his way onto the Southeastern Conference all-tournament team last weekend.

His 13.4 scoring average the past 10 games ranks second on the team during that span, and is up from a 9.8 average the first 20 games. Azubuike (11.0 ppg) has become consistent, scoring in double figures in eight of those 10 games, including the last five.

He has seven dunks the past four games, each seemingly more emphatic than the last.

"I took this as a challenge to go to the basket strong, to make them foul me," Azubuike said. "I've got to be aggressive."

Smith said his motivational ploys have their place. "Sometimes you have to jolt or shock them into ... working harder or being more physical," he said last month.

He applauds Azubuike for his response. The first-year starter is shooting better during this span and drawing more fouls, averaging 3.3 free-throw attempts the last 10 games compared with 1.9 before.

When post players are double-teamed, having a perimeter player who can cut to the basket and score off their passes is a critical dimension for UK (26-4), which opens NCAA Tournament play Friday against Florida A&M (15-16) in Columbus.

"He's probably the best on the team at moving without the ball," Smith said of Azubuike. "He understands that if he cuts to the open spot that there are guys like Erik (Daniels) and Chuck (Hayes) who will give it up.

"He has the strength and explosiveness to go inside, get bumped and still get the shot. He's fearless when he goes in there."

Azubuike struggled last season to make the transition from big-time scorer at a small Oklahoma high school to role player on a No. 1 team. Playing behind All-American Keith Bogans, he averaged 3.7 points and 8.4 minutes per game, and was viewed as a defensive liability.

Early this season, Azubuike was content to stay outside and shoot 3-pointers.

Then Smith sent his message, and Azubuike responded with career highs of 23 points and four assists in the Feb. 14 loss at Georgia. Smith rewarded Azubuike's improved defensive play with assignments on some recent opponents' top scorers.

Friday, again facing Georgia but now leading by four points with 90 seconds left, Azubuike converted a 3-point play on a stickback of a Gerald Fitch shot, then stormed the baseline for a ferocious jam on the ensuing possession. Game over.

Sunday against Florida, he scored 13 consecutive points in one first-half flurry, showcasing muscle inside and shooting touch outside.

"I'm playing with a lot of confidence and noticing the difference," he said.

E-mail nschmidt@enquirer.com