Back to the Kentucky Wildcats Newsfeed

Dontaie Allen embraces tough coaching, hopes to make winning impact on both ends

Redshirt freshman guard Dontaie Allen single-handedly willed Kentucky to victory in Starkville with a 23-point, 7-three performance against Mississippi State on Saturday, followed by an impressive 14-point, 5-rebound effort in the team’s SEC home-opening victory over Vanderbilt on Tuesday.

Still, though, John Calipari had his fair share of gripes about Allen’s play following the team’s most recent victory, specifically on the defensive end of the floor. In short, the Falmouth, KY native’s shooting and scoring ability is keeping him on the floor, but the UK head coach wants to see Allen’s defensive miscues decline moving forward.

“Dontaie broke down a ton defensively,” Calipari said following Kentucky’s 77-74 win over Vanderbilt.