Photo by Chet White, courtesy of UK Athletics
7.8. That’s the number differential in points for Hamidou Diallo from non-conference to SEC play. There’s no denying that the redshirt freshman guard has struggled mightily since SEC play began but the numbers could be a major reason why this team has hit a historically bad slump.
During 13 non-conference games, Diallo averaged 15.1 points per game. That number has decreased to 7.3 points per game in 13 SEC games, which is a 7.8 point differential.
The freshman guard reached double figures in 10 of the Wildcats 13 games against non-conference opponents, including a six-game stretch where he averaged 18.8 points per game vs. UIC, Harvard, Monmouth, Virginia Tech, UCLA, and Louisville. Compare that to just four double figure-scoring performances in conference play, including five games of 5 points or less.
It’s unfair to place Kentucky’s struggles entirely on Diallo because every guy has hit a rough patch this season. The others have just been able to overcome them but Diallo showed for 13 games that he could be a playmaker for this team. If Kentucky is to reach its full potential, those numbers have to return.
Coming out of high school, shooting was a major question mark surrounding the freakish, athletic Diallo. One thing that helped him during non-conference play was a 50 percent shooting clip from the floor. That number has dipped to 36 percent in conference play, where he has attempted 71 fewer shots. Surprisingly, he connected on 13-of-34 three-point attempts prior to SEC play, good enough for 38 percent. Unfortunately, his 5-for-25 (20 percent) line during SEC play is more realistic of what was expected.
Diallo’s offensive struggles have carried over to the rest of his game, especially his ability to make plays on the defensive end. After recording 15 steals during the non-conference schedule, Diallo has just six in 13 SEC games, including zero in the last six games. John Calipari has shown in the past that he doesn’t care to play guys through offensive struggles but right now, Diallo is a liability on both ends of the floor.
The freshman’s struggles have led to criticism and talks that Calipari should consider benching or at least removing him from the starting line up. While that might be ideal, Calipari obviously still believes in Diallo, as he has continued to insert him into the starting lineup in hopes of a breakthrough performance.
In addition to his struggles shooting and defending, Diallo also hasn’t created for his teammates. He averaged 2 assists per game prior to SEC play but is now averaging 0.84 in 13 games against SEC opponents, including zero during the Wildcats recent four-game losing streak.
Diallo rocked the rim early in the season but it’s been so long since he had an electrifying dunk, that the most recent one that comes to mind is his baseline-driving slam to open the game vs. Louisville on December 29th. When he plays well, Kentucky plays well but if something doesn’t change, Calipari will be forced to shorten his rotation.
With Kentucky’s recent struggles, Diallo has been a scapegoat for many people to place the blame upon in recent weeks but the truth is this, if he doesn’t return to his November/December self, the Wildcats will never reach their full potential. Obviously, John Calipari knows that or he wouldn’t continue to stick with him.
Right now, why he continues to play him is a legitimate question worth asking but let’s not act like Diallo is the only guy underperforming on this team.
