Calipari’s decisions are hurting Diallo and the Kentucky basketball team

After Kentucky basketball’s 76-66 loss to Auburn on Wednesday night, Big Blue Nation is looking for someone to blame. Hamidou Diallo is an easy target, but they need look no further than their Hall of Fame head coach.

The Kentucky basketball team lost to Auburn 76-66 on Wednesday night. The loss to the Tigers was the 4th consecutive defeat for the Wildcats. Big Blue Nation is now panicked and looking for someone to blame. While Hamidou Diallo has been taking a lot of heat, BBN need look no further than John Calipari.

Look, I bleed blue just like every other Kentucky basketball fan, but last night’s loss is squarely on the shoulders of Coach Cal. For some strange reason, that I’ll get into later, Calipari continues to play Hamidou Diallo.

After the under-8 minute timeout and Kentucky up by 4, Cal reinserted Diallo into the lineup. He missed a three-point shot and turned the ball over the next time he touched the ball. Diallo had more turnovers (4) than points (3). Diallo was in the game for 16 minutes and that was 15 minutes too long.

In the previous game against Texas A&M, Diallo scored 13 points, but don’t let the box score fool you. Of Diallo’s 13 points, 11 came after the Aggies took a 61-40 lead with 9:19 left in the game. That was essentially garbage time in that game.

Here’s the problem with Hamidou Diallo.

Now, before BBN wants to label me as a Diallo hater, let me be clear. I’m not putting 100% of the blame on Hami. While Diallo needs to own his lack of success, Calipari is the one putting him in these situations.

Diallo is not a spot up shooter. On the season he’s 18-of-39 (31%) from distance. That’s not going to get it done offensively. Diallo is a freak athlete, but not an elite offensive basketball player. He is a slasher, period! Hami’s best offense is driving to the bucket or running the floor on the fast break.

Defensively, Diallo is an enigma. As athletic as he is, Diallo should be a lock down defender for the Kentucky basketball team. Unfortunately, opposing teams take Hami off the dribble and blow right by him. In this regard, I have to assume one of two things; Diallo is not listening to his coaches or the coaches haven’t figured out how to get through to him. This is not a talent issue.

Why is Calipari sticking with Diallo?

So, can we acknowledge that Hamidou Diallo does not currently belong in the starting lineup for the Kentucky basketball team? Yes. Can we also agree that Diallo needs to ride the pine during crucial points of the game? Yes. So while is Coach Cal sticking to his guns and continuing to play a kid that is currently a hindrance to their success? The answer is quite simple and I can sum it up in one word. Recruiting.

Let’s be honest, Duke is beating Cal at his own game. The Blue Devils have followed Calipari’s one-and-done recruiting ideology and lately are doing a better job. Mike Krzyzewski has the Top 3 rated high school recruits coming to Durham next season.

How would it look to potential recruits if John Calipari benched one of his prized freshmen? How might those young kids feel about seeing a player of Diallo’s NBA potential riding the pine in favor someone perceived to be less talented? Cal has always touted his “player first” program. How can you be about “players first” if you put those players on the bench?

If Calipari wants to continue to boast about his program being players first, he needs to think about the other 13 players on this year’s Kentucky basketball team. Continuing to lose games because of stubborn coaching decisions is not going to help these players succeed. In fact, it may find them a place in this year’s NIT.