One-on-one with Syracuse guard Judah Mintz

On Syracuse basketball's media day on Friday, we caught up with sophomore guard Judah Mintz.

Mintz spoke about what he learned from the NBA Draft process, what the transition is like going from zone to man-to-man, and the type of group Syracuse has this season.

The Juice Online: What was the biggest takeaway from the NBA Draft process?

Judah Mintz: Just how important my voice is, especially as a guard. Especially as a leader. So just being able to use my voice and not just leading by example will go a long way for me and my future as a player.

TJO: Did you learn any new move from a player you played against at the draft camps?

JM: I've seen everything in this gym alone, probably. Between Chance (Westry) and Q (Quadir Copeland), I take things from them. That's all I can remember right now.

TJO: Did it hurt with the scouts that you played mostly man at Syracuse?

JM: I don't think it held too much weight. I played zone, but I made a lot of plays defensively. At the same time, it's always a question of can I really do it. Not just having faith in a player to that's been able to do it. People had reservations about it.

TJO: Are you looking forward to playing man defense?

JM: Yeah. I'm dying to show what I can do in man-to-man. Last year was my first year playing entirely in a zone like this. It's not something I was used to.

TJO: What's been the biggest difference in practices between zone and man?

JM: It raises the intensity and raises the level of playing in practice. Just playing against each other, we did a lot early on in preseason last year, but during the season we converted back. I would say it's just the intensity. We have a competitive group. Every day we have different matchups. It's fun to be able to compete but also to come together at the end of practice. It is a family.

TJO: What's the difference in mental focus?

JM: It's the same attention to detail. You can't get away with messing up in the zone at all. I don't think people realize how difficult it is playing in the zone is and how tiring is really is. You have to work on it just like any other defense.

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