By LARRY VAUGHT
Senior point guard Davion Mintz is averaging 10.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game for coach John Calipari. He’s also hitting a team-best 35.3 percent from 3-point range and has 12 3-pointers (the rest of the team has combined for only 18).
Mintz had 19 points, seven rebounds and two assists in last week’s loss to Louisville. He didn’t get shots late in the game, including three trips UK had in the final minutes when Devin Askew missed a 3, Olivier Sarr missed from 15 feet and Brandon Boston misfired on a 3 just before the buzzer.
“I think most of that is my fault. I wasn’t more assertive to go get the ball and to call one more when guys were penetrating. So I kind of take credit as to why I didn’t get the ball down the stretch,” Mintz said.
That’s the kind of player accountability coach John Calipari always wants and what this team desperately needs with a 1-6 record now.
Mints credited Calipari for drawing up the right plays and continued to blame himself for not doing a better job executing those plays even though his play kept Kentucky in the game.
“I feel like just going in and continuing throughout the season, I’ve got to be more vocal and make sure I can get the ball in my hands, if I’m the guy that’s feeling it that night, to have it,” Mintz said.
Calipari understands what Mintz is doing for the team and appreciates how he has handled the season.
“Davion has been one of the guys I’ve been really proud of. He never said one word earlier this year. Like Immanuel Quickley -– he never said a word,” Calipari said. “He just took his role, tell me what you want.
“He is so appreciative of this opportunity to be here, of playing here, of playing for us and our staff. He’s in a different mindset, which is why you start playing the way you’re playing.”
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