Kentucky record losing streak after John Calipari sacked, Dontaie Allen bursts against Mississippi State

Kentucky ended their six-game losing streak on Saturday with a 78-73 victory over Mississippi State, and everything was dramatic. John Calipari was ejected from the match after winning two quick techniques in the second half; Redshirt Freshman Dontaie Allen starred in a Stephen Curry-like performance; and two more periods were needed to settle the final score.

Calipari’s self-ejection might have been the catalyst the UK needed to start a race and break the losing streak. The Wildcats were down six points midway through the second period when he complained about a no-call that got him started. Mississippi State’s subsequent free throws extended the UK’s deficit to nine, but the Wildcats quickly called off a 7-0 run and finished the second period on a 15-6 run after the ejection. to force OT.

Then things turned to bananas. Allen, a red-shirted freshman who had only played 19 minutes total all season – scored a high (and career high) 23 points off the bench. Allen went 7 of 11 from 3 points and had 6 of 9 shots from deep in the second half and overtime.

Kentucky’s weakness all season has been perimeter shooting – or the lack of it – and Allen’s pedigree as a marksman has allowed him to become something of a mythical deity among Kentucky fans. Still, Calipari insisted the product as-is was not ready for its moment and could come soon. Now, it looks like the UK’s biggest weakness could have been corrected with performance that cannot be ignored and talent that can no longer be cast aside.

“I can’t do things for the kids that they have to do for themselves,” Calipari said after Allen’s game. “Like, Dontaie had to do that. He had to work in his own way. And now he’s won this place.”

No team has ever made it to the NCAA tournament after a 1-6 start – Kentucky’s record before Saturday’s win – but no team has Kentucky’s talent and potential either. Allen won’t be a 23-point-per-night player, but his threat as a 3-point goalscorer and ground spacer could very well change this team’s dynamics for the better. Too early to say. But 2-6 is much more palatable than 1-7, and momentum is a dangerous drug Kentucky now – perhaps for the first time this season – has in spades.

“We’re 1-0,” Calipari said. “We used the preseason to prepare for the league game. And you know what? It got us ready.”