Dontaie Allen (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky fans may finally get to see Dontaie Allen play Saturday night when the Wildcats open Southeastern Conference play at Mississippi State. Sources close to Allen have told me that Kentucky coach John Calipari “guaranteed” Allen he would play Saturday.
Calipari didn’t go quite that far on his coach’s show Monday night but certainly indicated he planned to give Allen an opportunity to hopefully help the 1-6 Cats.
“I told Dontaie last night, and tonight, he’s going to get a chance now,” said Calipari Monday night. “Still got injuries. Not going to play guys that can’t play but 70-percent, which means are you ready? He was great in practice (Monday); I was so proud of him.
“He started off shaky, and I had to be right beside him talking to him, just pumping him up, (saying) ‘let it go, let it go.’ I was really proud of him because he’s waited his turn, and rightfully so, the guys in front were better than him. Now it’s his turn to shine, and it’s his turn to do it.”
Time to shine would be great but just time to have a chance to show if he can or cannot play would be enough for most UK fans. Being able to shine would maybe even have Calipari jumping for joy because the Cats need some help.
Calipari said he’s always hoping for different players to get their chance and then succeed. As he likes to say, “you either fight or you run.”
The coach mentioned how players like Immanuel Quickley, Nick Richards and PJ Washington all recently waited for their chances and then took advantage of them.
“The greatest thing is seeing that guy continue to fight and stay the course,” Calipari said.
