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John Calipari made it clear on his radio show Wednesday night that he likes what freshman guard Rob Dillingham is doing and how he can help Kentucky win.
However, Calipari also made it clear that Dillingham has to learn how to stay out of foul trouble and know how to avoid careless fouls like he did at Mississippi State again this week that put him back on the bench in the first half with two early fouls.
“Defensively, keeps fouling. You foul twice in the first half, you gotta sit down. So stop fouling! ‘Well, I didn’t foul.’ Yes, you did! I’m standing there watching it! Why are you reaching your arms in?” Calipari said on his weekly radio show.
“If you foul twice in the first half, I’m not gonna play you, especially Robert. Because will he foul again? If that ball is near and he can reach around, he’s gonna foul again. Just don’t. Don’t reach in.”
Dillingham has the physical tools needed by savvy defenders but so far has not always been disciplined enough on defense. He often gets beat by more experienced players and that frustrates Calipari.
“Play great defense, you’re quick enough to stay in front, contest, you don’t have to steal the ball, you don’t have to tip it away,” Calipari said about Dillingham. “I absolutely don’t want you to block it. If they try to beat you, we’ve got shot blockers. You don’t need to be that guy.”
Dillingham is also an explosive scorer that makes the UK offense much better when he’s in the game and he did again at Mississippi State.
“Offensively, he makes the 3 in the corner. How about the pass to Aaron (Bradshaw)?” Calipari said. “How about the layup he made? Then he’s making all those free throws.
“I like him off the ball versus bringing it up and the reason is, off the ball — when you bring it up you’ve got 10 eyes on you. The guy guarding you and all the other people watching you. When you’re off the ball it’s your guy and you. And he’s ridiculous in those situations. You can’t stay in front of him.”
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Dilly and Z showed out today!