John Calipari says Dontaie Allen chose not to play late against UNC

On3 imageby:Jack Pilgrim12/18/21

With Kentucky steamrolling North Carolina late, John Calipari unloaded his bench. Lance Ware, Bryce Hopkins and Daimion Collins all saw some run — an extended one for Ware, at that — followed by Zan Payne, Brennan Canada and Kareem Watkins all taking the floor for the final minute.

Noticeably absent from that group? Dontaie Allen, who failed to register a minute of play for a second consecutive game. He’s now played just three total minutes since November.

With Kentucky leading by as many as 35 points in the win, why didn’t Allen get any run? After sitting out the entirety of the game, the sophomore guard declined the opportunity to play late.

According to John Clay of the Herald-Leader, Calipari asked Allen if he wanted to enter the game with the walk-ons, but was told no. It was an answer Calipari was “perfectly fine with,” Clay added.

“I always ask,” Calipari told Clay. “My coach did that to me a couple of times (without asking) and I was pissed.”

Allen is averaging 5.1 points on 34.2% shooting and 22.2% from three to go with 2.4 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per contest. He’s played over ten minutes in just four games this season: Robert Morris (10), Albany (13), North Florida (19) and Central Michigan (19).

What are your thoughts, BBN?

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2024-03-28