Alabama transfer Mouhamed Dioubate, right, is an “elite defender” that can lock down multiple positions. (UK Athletics Photo)
Mouhamed Dioubate averaged only 16 minutes per game on Alabama’s deep, talented roster last season but he made a big impression on Kentucky coach Mark Pope with his play against the Wildcats.
“He punished us. I don’t like to say it but he punished us three straight games this season. It was not a happy time for us,” Pope told CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein on a podcast.
However, it was a “happy time” for Pope and Kentucky when Dioubate announced he was transferring to Kentucky.
In the SEC Tournament win over UK, Dioubate played 22 minutes and had 13 points and eight rebounds. The power forward had four points and five rebounds in only 14 minutes in Alabama’s home win over UK and in the first game at Rupp Arena he had eight points and eight rebounds in 15 minutes.
“He shot the ball at a ridiculous clip on low volume,” Pope said. “He was a 43 percent 3-point shooter on low volume. But where he was most dangerous, clearly he’s an elite level defender 1 through 5, very much a (NBA player) Draymond Green feel defensively.”
As a pick and roll ball handler, Pope said Dioubate’s ability was “terrifying” to compete against.
“He is a guy who can really stir the drink for us. The way we invert the game when we have our bigs carrying such a load as decision makers on offense, he is tailor made for what we do,” Pope said. “He’s got these big shoulders and just rams through your chest. His physicality is elite on both the offensive and defensive side. He’s a gamer.”
Kentucky didn’t have anyone like that last season, especially taking a physical lead on defense. He did have foul trouble problems but could afford that due to Alabama’s depth. He fouled out of four games and had four fouls in six other games.
Dioubate hit 64.7 percent from 2-point range as a sophomore after making 53.8 percent as a freshman. Pope likes the way he can overpower smaller defenders going to the rim and Pope is convinced he can make him a more versatile player and even better decision maker.
7 Responses
Dioubate creates the biggest mismatch at the 3 spot. Until we know when and what we will get from Quaintance, Jelavic and Potter should play the 4 spot with Dioubate and Williams at the 3. Garrison and Moreno should be able to hold down the 5 spot. Quaintance can ease himself back into play providing breathers at the 4 and 5 spots. Quaintance coming off the bench will give him the best chance to be a difference maker without disrupting the chemistry of the team. That would actually make this team stronger while giving him the luxury of not having to carry the team. He will still be a lottery pick without being a starter. If Oweh comes back, Hawthorne is the most likely redshirt guy. He really needs a year to adjust to the physicality of SEC play and bulk himself up for the 2026/27 season. Noah will be hoping to provide breather minutes at the 2 and 3 spots with Chandler hoping for the same at the 1 and 2 spots. Is Oweh coming back?
I honestly think he will be back. He said he wants to be a first round pick and there is no way in hell that he’s a first round pick right now. He will make double the money if he comes back to college and he will be the man on the team. If he goes Pro he won’t play for a year or 2. He’s not even in the draft in the mock drafts he’s about 7 spots out in the second round. So he wouldn’t even get picked up in the second round. I don’t understand why? But its good for Kentucky. The thing about it all is we will be good either way. If he comes back great if he doesn’t that’s great too. The difference is if he comes back were a title contender this year. If he doesn’t were probably looking at 26-27 for a title. We are kind of a young team. We only have 2 seniors on the whole team. So most of everyone will be back for 26-27. I don’t see a mass exodus of Pope guys. They usually love him and would rather play for him over anyone else. The reason a ton of BYU kids didn’t follow him to Kentucky is because of the Mormon religion. Most of those kids have homes at byu and families. Its a little harder to move around in that situation. If Oweh comes back your getting a most likely first team all sec second team all american. If he does come back JQ could be the only player to win a award. Johnson and Chandler will be much better than what people are thinking they will be and that will take some of the pressure off Oweh. I think there is a 90% chance he comes back.
I just realized this both Aberdeen and Mo-ds responsibility against us was to guard Oweh when they played us. The two guys that shut Oweh down the most we got in the portal. Its like Pope knew who could shut Oweh down and put them on our team to not be able to shut Oweh down lol. Yes its a stretch but rather funny as well. Our defense is going to be elite elite elite. All 5 starters who I think will be our starters have shut down defense. I don’t think Aberdeen starts. I think he starts the season starting until JQ is fully healthy and he has already said he doesn’t want to play the 5 he wants to play the 4 and MO-D wants to play the 3. Which will make us have incredible defense. Lowe/Oweh/Mo-D/JQ/Garrison is who I see as the starting 5 once we get into conference play. Think about it Lowe can be a incredible defender which he’s not bad already. Oweh might have the best defense at the 2 guard spot in the conference then Mo-D can pretty much guard anyone 1-4 . Then you have the defensive player of the year in the PAC with JQ almost averaging 3 blocks a game and a steal and a half. Then at the 5 Garrison is a average defender but will get much better this year. How are teams going to score on us? A blue vs white scrimmage if you play Lowe/Aberdeen/Williams/Croatian/Garrison vs Johnson/Chandler/Oweh/Mo-D/Moreno that will be like 2 top 15 teams playing each other. Can you imagine the battles in practice vs these 2 teams and this is until the icing on the cake recovers from his injury.
I think the defense will have to mirror the Houston squad that lost in the championship game. If there’s any shortcoming from this group it’s not having the three point shooters we’ve had in the last couple years.
Oweh has to know by now if he is coming back or going on. These young dudes really like to push the drama buttons. Hopefully we get decision in next day or two.
I agree whats.the difference between now and a couple of days. They do this to maximize there contracts how NBA players hold out on signing for more money basically. I think that’s what’s going on here, but don’t quote me on it.
Jelavic is going to be the biggest surprise on this season’s team. He is a knock down 3 point shooter and is used to extremely physical play. With him at the 4, dioubate at the 3, and Garrison/Quaintance at the 5, nobody will push us around.