John Calipari likes the way freshman Cason Wallace is growing as a player. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Cason Wallace did not play against Mississippi Tuesday because of a knee injury before returning to the lineup in a big away against Florida.
Wallace had 20 points, three rebounds, career-high three blocks and two assists in the win over Florida that Kentucky needed to help its NCAA Tournament resume.
He scored 10 of Kentucky’s final 16 points in the game, including seven of the final 10, and went 5-for-5 at the foul line. It was his 14th double-figure scoring game of the season and the second 20-point performance.
Wallace ranks among the SEC leaders in steals per game (6th/2.00), assists per game (7th/3.5) and assist-to-turnover ratio (7th/1.90-to-1). He is third on the team with 11.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.
He was named SEC Freshman of the Week despite playing in just one of UK’s two games. That shows how impressive his play against Florida was.
Yet UK coach John Calipari says he still has one bad fault.
“There are times he is too casual. Late in the game (against Florida) he was supposed to get a dribble handoff and the guy stole it,” Calipari said. “There are times he loses the ball because he’s casual. Dude, that guy is playing.”
Calipari said he is “funny” and that might work in his favor at times.
“I told him he is casual and his demeanor never changes and that might be why he made that 3 late (against Florida),” Calipari said. “I guess you got to take some good with some bad.
“How about he blocks shots. How about he makes five free throws. Early in the season we didn’t want him to get fouled. Now he goes 5-for5. That is what is supposed to happen to these kids. Grow as players, grow as people.”
