John Calipari on why Rob Dillingham didn't play down the stretch: 'That group was playing so well.'

Earlier this week, Kentucky freshman Rob Dillingham was named the AP National Player of the Week. A few days later, he was nowhere to be seen down the stretch in a tight contest that his team desperately needed to win.

The Wildcats sure could have used him, too.

Kentucky fell to Gonzaga at home on Saturday night, 89-85, marking the first time in the history of the building that this program has dropped three in a row at Rupp Arena. UK had plenty of chances to secure the win in the closing possessions but failed to convert in crunch time. The ‘Cats even overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to take a six-point lead at one point in the second half. The group of Reed Sheppard, Antonio Reeves, Adou Thiero, Justin Edwards, and whatever big man was in at the time, was admittedly playing very well on offense, enough to give UK a chance.

After scoring six points in 14 minutes played in the first half, Dillingham saw the court for just four minutes in the second. What John Calipari had on the floor was clearly working. But at the same time, Kentucky failed to make a field goal for the final 2:48 of regulation. Having Dillingham, who came into the night averaging 22.8 points per game over his last four, out there could have helped change that.

“The team that was out there was playing so well together that I left it alone,” Calipari said after the loss. “And I told he and DJ (Wagner), that’s the only reason I left it alone. And if we finish the game – you would have said, but – now you look at it and say why didn’t you have him in? You’re right. We could have. But that group was playing so well that I didn’t go to the rotation.”

Kentucky didn’t lose to Gonzaga because Dillingham wasn’t on the floor though. Sheppard and Reeves combined to score 34 points after halftime — they fueled UK’s comeback attempt. It was the defensive effort that killed the ‘Cats. Gonzaga scored 47 points (26 in the paint) on 48.3 percent shooting in the second half.

Regardless, Kentucky was struggling to put up points on the board that didn’t come from the free-throw line. All it would have taken is one hot moment from Dillingham to give UK the advantage. We’ve seen him doing plenty of times already throughout the season.

“I know one of the questions will be well you didn’t sub as much,” Calipari added. “Well, they got on a roll. I just wanted them to see how much they could play it out. Which meant didn’t play Robert much, didn’t play DJ much, probably could have easily gone with Robert and let him see if he can make a basket or two. But our issue was what was happening on defense.”

The defense was an issue — no denying that. It has been all season. But if that’s the case, couldn’t maximizing the offense be the counter necessary to overcome those shortcomings?

Watch the latest John Calipari press conference on the KSR YouTube Channel.