Dontaie Allen has to show John Calipari he can be adequate defensively to earn playing time this season. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Freshman TyTy Washington and Georgia transfer Sahvir Wheeler have been UK’s most impressive backcourt players during preseason workouts as UK looks to the season opener Nov. 9 against Duke. Davion Mintz also returns after an impressive season for John Calipari’s team last season. Then UK also brought in transfers Kellan Grady and CJ Fredrick, both proven scorers.
So where does that leave sophomore Dontaie Allen in UK’s playing rotation?
“That’s all on Dontaie,” said UK Radio Network analyst Mike Pratt. “He can shoot it. No doubt about that. But there seems to be some issues with Dontaie and whether he is able to stay within the offense. He has to figure out where he fits in the offense and then do it every time without wandering.
“The kid is a shooter. He has to figure out where to be, wait for the ball, and then shoot it with confidence.”
Pratt said Allen has to at least be adequate defensively for Calipari to play him.
“Calipari wants more than adequate defense from him but will be satisfied if Dontaie can just do that,” Pratt said. “Just stay between the ball and the basket.
“Then he needs to shoot the ball when has the chance. If he doesn’t do those things, other players will move ahead of him and stay ahead of him.”
5 Responses
Where, or when has Allen fit into any Calipari plans?
He will have to be a catch it, shoot it, and make it if he wants to play this year.
I would say you are right Cats Fan
Dante will never fit in. We all remember a player by the name of BJ Boston that we had to put up with bad decisions after bad decisions. Cal stuck with him because of his all american status even when Dante came in and proved himself. I do not see this year being any different. I am not down playing any of the players we have but whatever happened to wanting to win at any cost as opposed to the opposite of catering to these 5 star players and all Americans. I say lets stand up and say enough is enough and bench the guys that are not playing well and give the guys that work hard day in and say out. Dante will never get any better than he is if not put in game situations. He is not the only one on that team that deserves a chance and I am not talking a one game chance and if you fail thats it. And do I have to day it that Mintz lead the team last year and done it with high efficiency.
Ugh 🤔 How can Dante prove anything sitting on the bench? Cal treats Allen like he did Devon Booker…and we see what He’s doing…shinning with the Suns…no thanks to UKs coaches.