Mouhamed Dioubate is looking forward to returning to his roots.
The Kentucky forward and Alabama transfer grew up in Queens, New York, and will feel right at home when the No. 9 Wildcats take on 17th-ranked Michigan State on Tuesday in the State Farm Classic at Madison Square Garden.
“Otega (Oweh) had that moment last year,” Dioubate said. “I can't wait to play in New York. It's gonna be my first time playing in New York in my collegiate career. I’m going to have family and friends come out to watch me. That’s every kid’s dream to play at the Garden. It’s a full-circle moment.”
Although he grew up in New York, Dioubate wasn’t a New York Knicks fan, but instead favored Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I kind of supported the Knicks, I just wasn’t a fan,” he said.
Going into the contest against the Spartans, Dioubate is coming off his best performance as a Wildcat. Dioubate scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in Kentucky’s 99-53 win over Eastern Illinois last Friday night. Along with his scoring and rebounding contributions, Dioubate also helped in the backcourt to help take pressure off in the absence of point guard Jaland Lowe.
“They know I can handle the ball, so they just tell me once I get the ball to start the break or give the pass ahead,” he said. “Coach (Mark Pope) tells me that all the time, just run the offense and to start the transition offense, so that’s been a big thing.”
Another big thing for Dioubate has been stepping up as a leader in his junior campaign.
“I’ve been trying to do that a lot,” he said. “Coming to this team, Coach Pope told me that one of the things that he wanted me to be was a vocal leader for the team. I’ve been one of the guys who speaks up when it’s time to be spoken too. Myself Otega (Oweh) and Collin (Chandler) have been doing a very good job as well. Even with Malachi (Moreno) being a young guy, he’s one of our vocal leaders. Especially on offense and throughout the game. He’s always talking.”
Pope was pleased with Dioubate’s performance against Eastern Illinois, but thinks he has more room to grow, especially on the defensive end of the court.
“I think we are leaving a lot on the table in terms of how disruptive we can be,” Pope said. “I thought he made some progress towards that. It’s going to be a big deal for him.”
Pope added that Dioubate and Oweh should be on the same page and create havoc on defense.
“Him and Otega should be buying for the best defensive players in the country right now,” Pope said. “So far, they haven’t been close, and that’s ok. But for us to be great, they’ve got to get there. I thought we saw some good signs from Mo in that respect.”
Gametracker: Kentucky vs. Michigan State, 5:30 p.m. CT, Tuesday. TV/Radio: ESPN, UK Radio Network on 94.7 The Mix and WiLLiE 102. Coverage: www.kentuckytoday.com
Kentucky's Mouhamed Dioubate (23) collected 20 points and 11 rebounds in a 99-53 win over Eastern Illinois on Friday. (Photo by Les Nicholson)
