Vicky Graff Photo
With about five seconds left in Tuesday night’s game against Missouri, Tre Mitchell laid out on the floor going for a loose ball. He had no regard for his body as he stretched out on the court to secure the ball.
In some ways it was a meaningless play since Kentucky was leading 90-77 and had the game put away. But in other ways, it showed what makes Mitchell such a special player for this team that he did not let the score/time change the way he played.
“How good was Tre Mitchell? He was excellent on offense and defense,” former Kentucky All-American Jack Givens said on the UK Radio Network.
Mitchell had 20 points on 6-for-11 shooting from the field and 6-for-6 at the foul line. He also had 14 rebounds, including 12 on defense, along with three assists and two blocks. And get this — he played all 40 minutes.
Given liked the way Mitchell refused to back down late in the game when a Missouri player tried to get extra physical.
“I have been waiting to see one of Kentucky’s players get into a little something with a guy on another team to know he has it in him,” Givens said. “I like the way he defended himself.”
Mitchell told Givens it actually started on an earlier possession when he got held cutting to the basket.
“I am all for physical play but once you get into the cheap stuff I am not alright. That’s when guys get hurt,” Mitchell said.
It was Mitchell’s fourth straight double-double, something he did not even know until Givens told him on the UK Radio Network postgame show.
“That is four straight? I guess I am in a little groove,” Mitchell said. “I am just out there enjoying my guys.”
That’s what makes this team so special. No one is overwhelmed by his personal stats as winning is what matters the most.
Mitchell is also becoming the team leader. He went out of his way at Florida in Saturday’s win to irritate the Florida student section to where they would taunt and yell at him rather than his younger teammates. He also scored eight points late in the first half to keep UK within range to win the game in the second half.
“Mitchell is so versatile. He can make a pass and is a playmaker at 6-9,” ESPN analyst Jimmy Dykes said. “He is a good cutter. He sees the floor well. Teammates have responded to his leadership. He held Kentucky together before they got their 7-footers back. He’s just special.”
3 Responses
I love this guy. The freshmen are flashy but this youngman is what we call a Steady Eddie at work. Does everything you ask for and stuff you don’t. Doesn’t complain or cause issue just comes to work and gets it done. That is Tre! ! And those guys help teams win Championships. He is an inside outside guy. I love his little fade away jumper in the paint. It’s a go to move and he rarely misses it. Like I said the freshmen are flashly but Steady Eddie is what we need when the freshmen are freshmen! !
You’re right on point UKFMLY. He is already one of my all time favorites. I would argue the most important player on the team. The "Top Cat". Go Cats!!!
He is quietly one of the best leaders the Cats have had. I’ve heard the younger players, Robert in particular, talk about how much they rely on Tre both on and off the court. When Aaron was able to make his debut, you could tell Tre was taking great care to give him extra help in his first few games.
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