Vicky Graff Photo
Kentucky coach John Calipari has been urging freshman guard Rob Dillingham to shoot more jump shots rather than always trying to force his way into the lane.
Dillingham had 12 points, five rebounds, four assists and one steal in 30 minutes Friday in Kentucky’s 81-61 come from behind win over Texas A&M Commerce. Yes, Kentucky was down 19-6 before coming to life to win going away.
“Tonight my shot was kind of broke if we are being honest,” Dillingham told Jack Givens on the UK Radio Network postgame show. “Coach Cal tells me if I am open to shoot. I still shoot with confidence even if it does not go in.”
That’s because he does everything with confidence. He’s almost always smiling because he believes in himself.
“Rob is going to shoot the basketball. That’s for sure,” Givens said during the game. “He might not always be well advised to take the shot but he’s going to do it. That’s just who he is.”
However, Dillingham is listening to his coaches.
“I feel like coach Cal has helped me change my game and add my game into what he wants,” Dillingham said. “Find my teammates because we have a bunch of players who can score the ball.
“Coach Cal stresses to us each day (to pass) and we do the best we can. It has definitely been an adjustment for me. Getting guys in the right spots and seeing what the defense is doing and then making the right decisions.”
He knows not only his decision making but the entire team’s decision making will have to be even better Tuesday when the Cats play No. 1 Kansas in Chicago.
“I would say we will go into the game with the same mindset. We go against each other the same way (in practice),” Dillingham said. “We have got to have more discipline and not make mistakes on defense.
“We got a bunch of guys who want to play games like that.”
3 Responses
Don’t over think it. Just play.
I am worried that Wagner and Dillingham are in a battle with each other to prove who is the best. Both took too many shots for shooting under 40%, while the rest of the team was shooting much better. We can beat the Popcorn States with both going 5 for 13, but that won’t get it against the better teams. If both had been looking for someone else with a better shot we would have had a more respectable win margin. Calipari needs to nip this in the bud. The last thing this team needs are two Brandon Bostons.
Barry everything is still in the works and it still will when we get our bigs back. Your stressing what Cal needs to do in your mind set. So far I like what Cal is doing with this team and only going get better in time to figure this team out.