His 3pt shooting, defense, and ball handling were critical in this game. We probably win either way but his contributions were the difference between a comfortable win and a game that is still in doubt near the end.
Mintz was key in this game
- Thread starter revcort
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Totally agree. What we need to keep in mind is that Mintz was sick for about 3 weeks. He is just now getting back up to speed.
IMHO Mintz is the X factor in getting UK back to the Final Four.
After today's game he is up to 34.6% from 3 on the year. If he can stay consistent from 3 along with Grady and Washington, that takes us up another level.
Great point. I forgot about him being sick. Scary at all that Sahvir wasn't even on the bench tonight, and Keion said on the post game 98.1 interview they're excited to get him back but also don't want to rush him back?
Agreed. Hopefully this will be the kickstart game to get Mintz going. This is exactly what he needed. Wheeler being out a couple/few games might just prove to be a blessing in disguise.
He's finally playing like the guy we expected him to be. I think being sick threw off his rhythm/took a lot out of him. He's just now finding his way back.
Mintz is the X-factor for the Cats. He has a way of coming up with a timely basket or great defense that results in a turnover.
Yep, it was good seeing him shooting with confidence again. And his on-ball defense is very solid.
I really think if you have Grady, Mintz, and TyTy all hitting shots together in games, then the CATS will be a difficult out.
If only we could’ve just had a healthy Edwards against Zona. Never mind having the best defensive player and arguably the best player in the country healthy: DA.
Said in the post game interview that he had been putting in a lot of extra shooting the past couple of weeks. Glad to see it pay of for him and the team. Not being able to put the ball in the hole had been the most perplexing thing about his play. He isn't a PG, he's a scorer. He needs to get up shots and make them. Tonight he did just what we needed with Grady being cold.
TV showed Wheeler on the bench tonight, several times.
He was on the bench.
No worries. I didn't notice him at first either. I think he did his hair different. Coach said in post-game that if he practices on Monday, he will play at Vandy on Tuesday. Seems encouraging that he didn't really have a negative tone regarding his availability.
Don’t want to rush him back and have him get more severely injured. I whole heartedly agree. Last thing we need is Wheeler out for the season.
Oh, I agree! Was simply worried that that comment meant it was potentially worse than expected. Would love to see him back by the Tenn game, but first and foremost, his health is priority#1.
He seemed a much steadier hand. This is why I said I didn't want to hear the excuses about losing to LSU. Mintz is capable of being steady enough for us at 1 or 2 when called upon. I think we saw tonight it was TyTy hobbling that was the real issue...hard to replace that.
Kept telling his critics here that he’d come around. I thought Mintz returning for another year was critical to having a deep run in March and still believe it, and he’s even more valuable with Fredrick out.
I’d love to see Mintz emerge as a guy who wants the ball and will hit the shot when we absolutely need a bucket. He’s shown both at times.
A healthy Edwards in 1997, a healthy Bogans in 2003, a healthy Dale Brown in 1993...a healthy Poythress in 2015...a healthy WCS in 2014...
Mintz is a big part of the team and we need him but honestly when wheeler plays pg mintz gets very little run. That’s why I’m all about tyty mintz Grady and if sharpe plays insert him there. Gotta have the three shooters or it defeats the purpose of 1 big. We can’t afford 3 guards one who cannot shoot and wheeler playing huge minutes takes a lot away from mintz also it takes from tyty.
Well absolutely. Odds are not in our favor for them to all be hot at the same time. Big reason why I would’ve loved to have had Fredrick healthy. Add another great 3 point shooter that shot 47% last year and the odds of having three hot shooters in a game goes up tremendously.
Agreed on all counts. Man, that Dale Brown injury was an absolute gut punch to the BBN. He was one of about three players we couldn’t afford to lose, especially after Jalen Rose had basically shut down Travis Ford. Brown was hot in that game and was our best defender. Nobody else could really matchup with Rose.
I’ve never understood the Mintz hate. The dude has his limitations, but his defensive skill along with his limited but solid offensive ability provides for a strong role player that most other teams would kill for.
The fact of the matter is if Mintz has a good game then UK is extremely tough to beat this year. Why? Because we have a ton of consistent weapons ahead of him. He’s the type of player that no one expects to have a great game night in night out, but also no one is surprised when he puts on a great performance. That’s the EXACT kind of player you want coming off the bench.
The fact of the matter is if Mintz has a good game then UK is extremely tough to beat this year. Why? Because we have a ton of consistent weapons ahead of him. He’s the type of player that no one expects to have a great game night in night out, but also no one is surprised when he puts on a great performance. That’s the EXACT kind of player you want coming off the bench.
You must know where the Possum Trot Minit Mart is located, you live close.
Totally agree, his 3 point shooting helps in so many ways, not to discount his defense and leadership. With TyTy, Grady and Mints shooting abilities it helps keep the middle open for Oscar to work and also driving lanes. With Oscars great speed/agility the lane being open also helps him positioning for offensive rebounding. Mintz is a total team player and Cal trusts him not only on the floor but in the locker room, which is so important, especially with young players.
With Wheeler back the Cats will be able to find the best possible line up for the situation.
I was fortunate to see the game live and thought the entry passing was very very good. Feeding the Oscar with passes that were on his correct hip allowing him to handle the pass were fun to watch.
I was fortunate to see the game live and thought the entry passing was very very good. Feeding the Oscar with passes that were on his correct hip allowing him to handle the pass were fun to watch.
That was the Mintz at the end of last season. I expect him to be the same come March.
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Agree....good to see him being a major contributor.
Hoping he has found his shot and his confidence
Wheeler was there. You must have missed him when Crean was trying to molest him.
Ok, surprise surprise. I am going to disagree.
The most important thing tonight was Washington being able to gain some D1 point guard experience with Wheeler at the helm. Washington seemed to understand his job was not to beat the opponent. He knew his job was to take his 4 guys and beat the hell out of your 4 guys. He proceeded to do just that.
Don’t get me wrong. Mintz played well. Washington was a general. He learned it from Wheeler. He displayed it in the second half. That won the game.
The most important thing tonight was Washington being able to gain some D1 point guard experience with Wheeler at the helm. Washington seemed to understand his job was not to beat the opponent. He knew his job was to take his 4 guys and beat the hell out of your 4 guys. He proceeded to do just that.
Don’t get me wrong. Mintz played well. Washington was a general. He learned it from Wheeler. He displayed it in the second half. That won the game.
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