Jacob Toppin and Davion Mintz give UK needed energy boost

Jacob Toppin may have broken his nose but he scored 10 points and blocked three shots in win over Vanderbilt. (UK Athletics Photo)

Obviously having freshman guard TyTy Washington regain his shooting and scoring form is a big, big deal for Kentucky going into postseason play. Washington went 8-for-17 from the field, including 4-for-5 from 3-point range (just the third time he’s had more than two 3’s in a game), and had 25 points. Washington was just 7-for-31 from 3-point range since his injury at Auburn but put that streak to rest.

However, this win was also about the depth and flexibility that coach John Calipari has on the bench.

Davion Mintz and Jacob Toppin both came in to score 10 points and give the Cats a lift in so many ways.

Toppin was sensational going 5-for-6 from the field and his three blocked shots, including one that was phenomenal, were a huge lift. His all-out energy also energizes the team and he never slowed down even after breaking his nose in the first half and having to play the second half with a mask on his face protecting the nose.

Same with Mintz, who was 3-for-5 from the field, and also had five assists, one block and one steal. His defense on Scotty Pippen, especially early in the game, helped the Cats set the tone.

“Toppin did a nice job defensively covering people. He bothered Pippen,” Pratt said. “It was a heck of a nice performance by Toppin. He made things happen and that’s what you want off the bench.

“Mintz just does all the little things it takes to win and win matchups. I am very impressed with what he did again.”

Kentucky coach John Calipari certainly noticed what they both did.

“Those two … Jacob may have broken his nose but he was ridiculous with how good he played. His energy, his shot-making from two,” Calipari said. “Davion is just tough. He comes up with balls. He just plays basketball. He was terrific, too.”

Point guard Sahvir Wheeler, who had 11 assists, said Toppin kept talking even in the second half with the face mask on even if teammates could barely understand what he was saying. Wheeler did say Toppin got Calipari’s first-half message after he air-balled a 3-point shot.

“He adjusted to that, took constructive criticism, took that with him on the offensive end. And defensively, he was the anchor in the second half. Being able to switch and being able to talk out the actions and contest and blocking shots, coming from the weak side and finishing possessions for us on the defensive end as well,” Wheeler said.

Washington joked that Toppin shot the air ball straight right and then started shooting the ball straight” when he put on the face mask.

“What he did for us on defense was phenomenal. He brings that for us every game. He is always rebounding. He is just an energy guy for us. For him to make those big baskets and big moments when we needed them, that was pretty good,” Washington said.

Kentucky had to overcome a 13-0 Vanderbilt run early in the second half to advance to today’s semifinal matchup with Tennessee.

Pratt said overcoming that Vandy run was a valuable lesson for a favored team in postseason play.

“Looking forward to NCAA play, you are going to play a lower seed and you have got to know how to answer runs. It is tough being a 2 (seed) in the NCAA playing a 15 (seed). It’s easy to overlook them. You learn how not to do that in games like this.”

Now UK has a unique challenge — less than an 18-hour period between games. Pratt said having to play Tennessee this afternoon is a concern but nothing UK can control.

“As a player, you have got to suck it up and be a big boy and put the big boy pants on and play,” Pratt said. “It will be hand-to-hand combat in the paint.

“This is a Tennessee team that if it got the right draw could find their way to the Final Four.”