Vicky Graff Photo
Freshman sensation Rob Dillingham does have a weakness in his offensive game.
After Kentucky’s 93-77 win over Vanderbilt Wednesday night that was sparked by Dillingham’s scoring explosion late in the first half, SEC Network studio host Peter Burns asked him when was the last time he might have lost a game of H-O-R-S-E.
“I feel like I can only do things in a real game so I might lose a game of H-O-R-S-E.,” Dillingham said.
Admire his honesty because in a “real game” he is not only a creative shot taker but a creative shot maker. He can hit shots off the wrong foot or with a bad angle. He can drill a 3-pointer in transition or shred the defense to get to the rim and finish.
Dillingham did not score the first 15 minutes, 46 seconds of the game when UK’s offense was sluggish — and that might be kind saying it that way. However, in the next 3:08 he scored 12 points on two 3-pointers, two free throws and two drives inside. That was part of a 20-point UK surge in the final four minutes that gave UK a 45-40 halftime lead even though Vanderbilt shot 53 percent from the field in the first half and had only three turnovers.
Dillingham didn’t let up in the second half and finished with 23 points on 9-for-15 shooting (3-for-4 on 3’s), five assists, one steal and two rebounds in 26 productive minutes. Kentucky was a plus 23 with him in the game.
The freshman knew his scoring late in the first half changed the flow of the game.
“It got us going and we got confidence after hitting shots and were moving the ball and playing defense. It all came together,” he said.
Burns raved about Dillingham’s scoring.
“There are shots Dillingham takes that he has no chance to make and he makes them,” Burns said.
That’s what makes him so special and so important going into postseason play. He can be instant offense and almost unguardable at times. Kentucky has so many scoring threats that teams can’t overload to stop Dillingham and that leads to explosive outbursts like the one he had Wednesday.
And coming off the bench continues to suit him just fine and he has to be the SEC Sixth Man of the Year unless it goes to teammate Reed Sheppard.
Dillingham says he is “happy” with his role.
“I just look at it coming in and do what is best for the team. I come in and they are already tired,” he laughed and said.
17 Responses
Relying upon someone to get hot playing hero ball will win some games, but in our case, it has cost us 9. It looks like we will see another early end to our post season play.
As always, thanks for your "positive input & encouraging words".
Oh, I forgot to say RAH! RAH!! RAH!!!
UK71, these guys use words like we, our, and us. They can’t be talking about the Cats because they aren’t on the team. They must have a mouse in their pocket. RAH! RAH! RAH! GO CAL’S CATS!!!
Offense comes and goes. There can be games when everyone struggles to score. The one consistent denominator needs to be a teams defense and that is something this team struggles with mightily. Many of the players just look totally lost on defense at times. I have no doubt it is not due to a lack of ability on this team, just a lack of effort and concentration on that end of the floor.
This team has the ability to win it all but they also have the ability to be bounced out in the first weekend.
At least we know we can score, The ability to play 40 minutes of defense hasn’t been there all season long.
I agree with both OldFan & Cats79. Our offense has been fun to watch all season. My concern is the same as OldFan’s 2nd sentence. What happens if we have a “West Virginia 2010” type game?
This team will depart prematurely AGAIN but it won’t be because of injuries but because of no interior offense/defense and inconsistency from many of its key parts.
Hate knowing that we have seen the last game in Rupp Arena for Reed and
Dillingham. They are great ball players and fun to watch.
It is sad that Reed & Rob will probably not play again in Rupp. This was another special season for me since my son took me to all of the home games. We watched a lot of the away games together as well. He and I both agreed that Reed is a special player – probably once in a lifetime type player that we will not see again. I cried like a baby on the way home Wednesday night.
ESPN just named Shep SEC player of the year and Dilly runner-up. How special is that? They are great kids and teammates, and this team has been a lot of fun to watch. ESPN also awarded Cal COY for previous decade.
In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. They risk very little, yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. They thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and read. But the bitter truth critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than their criticism designating it so.
Truth denier at his best.
Well written WestUK71
It’s not being critical when you state facts. We will lose on Saturday, lose next Friday, and lose a final time the first weekend of the Dance. Another double digit loss Calipari team that won nothing! That must be the junk you are talking about…our record.
That’s what your hoping!!! GO Cats!!!
This young man is a stud. No 2 ways about it