John Calipari praises Rob Dillingham, Adou Thiero and Ugonna Onyenso after big win over UNC
Published:
John Calipari took time to praise some of his players after a big win on Saturday.
The Wildcats took down the No. 9 North Carolina Tar Heels in Atlanta by a score of 87-83. The Wildcats were led by Rob Dillingham, who had 17 points off the bench.
After the game, Calipari sang Dillingham’s praises.
John Calipari on Rob Dillingham: “You’re coaching a kid that can create space and get a basket when he wants to. Do you clip his wings? You can’t. You’ve got to let him go.”
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) December 17, 2023
Calipari on Dillingham: “Are you going clip his wings? . . . I give him two (crazy plays) a half, a third and he’s coming out. . . . I’ve got to let some of that stuff go.” #BBN #ukbasketball
— John Clay (@johnclayiv) December 17, 2023
Dillingham finished the game with 17 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal.
Calipari also praised Adou Thiero, who had 7 points, 4 blocks, and 2 assists off the bench.
Calipari: “I thought Adou (Thiero) did some really good stuff today.”
— Ryan Black (@RyanABlack) December 17, 2023
Overall, Calipair was proud of his team’s fight. The veteran coach explained that this style of game is “who we are.”
“This is a game where you had to fight,” Calipari explained. “You had to be a dog or you were gonna get chomped on.”
Calipari: This is a game where you had to fight. pic.twitter.com/1u44GURTQD
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) December 17, 2023
John Calipari: “We add a big guy and everybody thought we were going to walk it up the court? Somebody told me, I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’ This is who we are.”
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) December 17, 2023
John Calipari: “They balled. … I’m liking where we are at this stage of the season.”
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) December 17, 2023
Finally, Calipari addressed the status of Ugonna Onyenso. Onyenso has battled the flu and couldn’t travel with the team. The forward joined the team at shootaround and got sick once again. Onyenso wound up playing 10 minutes and collecting 1 point.
John Calipari talking about Ugonna Onyenso. He got the flu and couldn’t travel with the team. Ugo joined the team at shoot around this morning and got sick during it. pic.twitter.com/zJafvVnmrl
— Shawn Smith (@gbbcountry) December 17, 2023
Bryce Lazenby covers college football for Saturday Down South. A Nashville native, his previous stops include FanSided, Dimers, and The Leaf-Chronicle.
