Davion Mintz, not Kellan Grady, has been Kentucky's best shooter in SEC play

Kellan Grady missed seven consecutive 3-pointers in Kentucky’s most recent win over Florida, but there wasn’t a fan in Rupp Arena who didn’t want him to load up an eighth attempt (which he drilled). Every time he touches the ball, it feels like a shot should go up. Grady is taking 6.7 3-pointers per game this season and you’d be hard-pressed to meet a Wildcat fan who wouldn’t like to see that figure hit double-digits.

Only a select number of players throughout UK’s impressive history have possessed the court-bending gravity that Grady provides. Just by sitting in a corner, he opens up driving and passing lanes. His presence on the court alone makes Kentucky a dangerous offensive threat, which is why he plays a team-high 32.7 minutes per outing. During SEC play, that number has ticked up to 36.7 minutes per contest, the highest of any player in the league. Grady has hit at least two triples in seven consecutive games and has not played fewer than 36 minutes in any of them.

But Davion Mintz has been even better as of late.

The 6-foot-3 sixth-year guard has been torching the nets throughout conference play after a rocky start to the regular season. Through 12 SEC games, including two starts, Mintz is averaging 10.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 27.0 minutes. He’s been especially clever knifing his way to the rim in both the halfcourt and transition settings, particularly when Kentucky needs a big basket. But the Creighton transfer’s outside shooting has seen a boom in production since conference play began.

Mintz is uncorking nearly five 3-pointers in SEC games, converting on an elite clip of 44.1 percent — and that includes a combined 0-5 mark against Auburn and Mississippi State. Whether contested or wide-open, he’s been absolutely lethal from beyond the arc. Compared to Grady, it’s night and day, actually. The Davidson transfer is taking 7.4 shots from deep in SEC contests but is hitting at a rate of *just* 37.1 percent.

A reason for this dip in efficiency is the defensive attention each player draws. Grady is constantly hounded along the perimeter as opposing defenses make it a point to deny him any and all looks. For him to still get up so many shots is impressive in its own right and a testament to his willingness to accept his role. Grady runs around the floor more than anyone not named Sahvir Wheeler while playing the most minutes of any of his teammates. Some fatigue is expected. Mintz stepping up has been Kentucky’s counter to that.

Defenses now have to account for Grady peeling off screens and Mintz hunting for his own shot. That’s where the two are most different in their approaches to the game, but it unlocks a layer of versatility for the offense. If Kentucky is without freshman guard TyTy Washington for an extended amount of time, those two will be relied upon even more to produce.

During Kentucky's current 6-game winning streak Davion Mintz has shot nearly 40% from beyond the arc (11-28). He was shooting 35.8% from deep prior to that. His continued solid play will be much needed if TyTy Washington is going to miss some time. A second 40% shooter is HUGE.

— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) February 13, 2022

After struggling out of the gate this season and subsequently battling a non-COVID-19 related illness, the last few weeks have stoked some much-needed optimism into Mintz’s life, both on and off the floor. He recently scored his 1,000 career point, signed a NIL deal with his best friend and pet dog Ghost, and inspired his No. 1 fan just by being himself. On the court, he’s easily a top candidate for the SEC’s Sixth Man of the Year award.

Mintz is Kentucky’s “dagger thrower” who has the oft-referenced “dog” mentality. He’s been timely stepping up for the ‘Cats and will need to keep it up until Washington’s status moving forward becomes clear. If he continues to shoot at the rate he has been the last few weeks, UK should be just fine.