Tre Mitchell pouring water on Reed Sheppard after the win during ESPN interview. (Vicky Graff Photo)
If you want to know just how impressive freshman guard Reed Sheppard has been for Kentucky, pay attention to a message Kentucky assistant coach Orlando Antigua’s daughter, Olivia, made on X (formerly Twitter) Tuesday night.
Kentucky was destroying Miami in the second half on its way to a 95-73 rout of the No. 8 Canes when she wondered “how do I tell my boyfriend he’s longer my favorite” from London, Kentucky.
However, my guess is that her boyfriend should understand because I have a feeling the majority of Kentucky basketball fans have the freshman guard as their favorite player right now.
He was sensational again Tuesday as he led UK with 21 points — he was 5-for-9 from 3-point range — and also had five rebounds, four assists, three steals and one blocked shot in 30 minutes. He had to carry a bigger load the second half after D.J. Wagner was injured in the first half and did not return but Sheppard was more than equal to the challenge.
“I think he is the most complete basketball player on this roster,” ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said about Sheppard. “He is an excellent defender. He is a guarantee of two or three steals per game. He has about as pretty a jump shot as you are going to see.
“He just has a complete game. One of the most impressive things is he is a two-way player. He’s not the greatest athlete you will see but he knows how to position himself and he has great hands (on defense). His shot preparation is also so good.”
Miami coach Jim Larranaga has seen a lot of terrific college basketball players. He left Rupp Arena very impressed with the former Kentucky Mr. Basketball.
“He’s so good at everything. I mean he can shoot it, he can handle it, he can pass it. He finds the open man great and he defends. You might look at him and think that okay, he’s not that athletic. You try to score on him, but he’s moving his feet using his hands and doing a great job at the defensive end of the floor as well,” Larranaga said.
“He comes up with a lot of deflections and steals as well. He had four assists and one turnover and then (Rob) Dillingham had nine assists and no turnovers. That’s a pretty good night from your bench. They don’t start.”
The good thing about Sheppard is that statistics are meaningless. What matters to him is winning.
“I do everything I can to help my team to make the right play. With these dudes around me, it is easy. We were hitting shots left and right tonight and everyone was passing and having fun,” Sheppard said.
Kentucky had a chance for a top 10 win earlier this season against Kansas but let a six-point lead slip away in the final three minutes. This time it did not waste a chance to get a win that will be important on a NCAA Tournament resume.
“We are going to enjoy this win tonight. Then get back at it tomorrow. We knew we had a good team and now we know for sure we have a good team,” Sheppard said. “We just need to keep doing the little things, keep sharing the ball, keep passing it around. It’s going to be a fun season.”
Calipari credits Sheppard for the work he has put in at UK to improve.
“He was never a knock-down shooter (in high school),” Calipari said. “You know what he’s done, he lives in that gym. He works and he’s made himself, kind of like Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander) and some of these other kids that I’ve had, they build their own confidence.”
Tuesday’s Rupp Arena crowd undoubtedly helped build that confidence also.
“The crowd was unbelievable. I don’t think they sat down. It was so loud,” Sheppard said. “From the first possession to the last possession, they made a huge impact on the game. They made it tough for Miami to run plays. It will be a moment we will never forget.”
43 Responses
Game after game, this team runs better when Reed is on the floor yet this coach refuses to give him a starting role. Why?
The fast start we got off to in the 2nd half ended that game quickly.
Had Wagner been available Miami may have very well been the team with the fast start.
I agree Sheppard needs to start. But we know why he doesn’t.
I understand you and professor frustration last few years. But now Cal has put together maybe his best team since 2015 and you guys still want to complain about something. Why mess up a chemistry that’s working. Now you may get your wish with Wagner hurt.
Just stating the obvious that everyone in the country can see. We’re better with Sheppard in the court. He wasn’t in the court enough against Kansas and we lost.
He only played 17 seconds out of the last 4 minutes of regulation against ST. Joe’s and we went to OT and escaped with a win.
This team will lose in March With Sheppard watching from the bench because that’s what Cal does.
This team is very fun to watch and I don’t want any players hurt. We need Wagner but this needs to be Reed’s team for us to go as far as possible.
Wagner is actually behind Dillingham for me as well.
100%
Good point. Reed doesn’t care if he starts or not and I suspect Dillingham doesn’t either. We’re winning and in my opinion the rotation shouldn’t be messed with.
Because Reed is mature enough not to start. I wager some others would pout.
Reed can handle and accept any role
Ridiculous….as well as racist.
As the great Rick Pitino said; “It doesn’t matter who starts the game, what matters is who finishes the game”. I agree, we play better with Reed on the floor, he doesn’t have to start. DJ needs time on the floor right now to give him a chance to build confidence now. Team has great chemistry and needs to keep it up.
The Miami coach just told you the reason WHY he doesn’t start. Because the bench will be the most important part of our run in March. Bringing Wagner off the bench will not inject the kind of enthusiasm Reed has. Wagner will get you some points, him and Edwards are coming along nicely. We are going to need both of them to be at their best by the end of the year. And so far it’s working. No need to fix what ain’t broke🤷
Just watch and stop complaining.
Reed is a good player, but you folks are trying so hard to divide this team with alot of these ridiculous racist comments it’s really sad. Jus the same way this country is divided. U need to not forget the other players that is playing unselfish basketball and Enjoy the ride. Calipari is doing a helluva job and its about all the kids so jump back off the wagon if it hurts so much.
Much agree.
Two, it’s indeed racist that sooo many Whites frequently ask Sheppard "who gets credit for the 1998 title….Pitino or Smith?!"
No one else is asking that question…. except for people who are RACIST.
He’s fine coming off the bench. And blocking 3 pointers,. Who does that ? Lol
With you Eddie. If Reed is happy, then just be happy
For some it doesn’t matter what Cal does. They will always find something to complain about(until he retires). If he started Reed they would find a different reason to complain. Reed like his father is a team 1st player(remeber Jeff took a red shirt year for the team). He is content with coming in at the 1st TV time out. Same with Rob. They and the team know who they are and what they can do! But hey the internet coaches know way more than Cal and they prove it all the time(just not by coaching a team but by typing). LOL
Not sure why some can’t just enjoy the win? But hey maybe, just maybe complaining is joy to some.
Keep up the good work! ! Go Blue or Stay Home!
It’s amazing how the Calipari lovers continue to defend his favoritism for his pets when the rest of the country is saying…Wow! That kid isn’t a starter! Your best players start and finish the game and get the most PT, that is, if you’re about winning. Now if you are about getting your pets into the NBA, you do what Calipari does. The ONLY person who can F up this team is Calipari himself and I sure don’t put it past him given his track record here at UK.
Yes ! I Agree with You! All he is about is coddling the so called NBA Babies! And he’s been like this his whole time here. He is so jealous that’s it’s about KENTUCKY the name on the front not his!
Nailed it.
I don’t think Reed is complaining Barry. He just wants to win
That’s a lot of people’s fear! 2015 final 4 when he finished the game with the Harrison twins instead of Ulis and Booker. Cal said he felt like he owed them and it cost UK the perfect season. Did Cal learn from his mistake or will he repeat it? We have legit reason’s to be worried!
Your right on ,,,go big blue
Nice comment UKFMLY. Couldn’t have said it better myself.
The old used car salesman then insulted Reeds Dad Jeff who was the MVP of the 98 championship team! Saying Reed had his Mommas hands?! I’m so sick of this Joker! As good as this team is they will not win anything because of the coach!
Stacey Sheppard is one of state’s all-time high school steals leader and also one of the all-time leaders at UK. She was really good
If you were to take a moment and listen to Reed talk you would know that Cal didn’t start that talk. Reed has stated that he has heard that all of his life. He said it’s because Jeff is from Georgia but it has been a running joke since he started playing BB. Cal did not insult Jeff! ! ! He is just repeating a joke that has been said more time than Reed can count. There is an interview on line after the Miami win where he talks about it. But like most TROLLS you speak of thing you actually know nothing about. If you are sick take the cure and support a different team! ! ! ROFLMAO ! ! !
The crybabies are looking real pathetic. Whiners are gonna whine. The Cats play for fans that are there through thick and thin. Not the fair weather whiners. Cal and the Cats are going to shut up the loud mouths. Cal is going to show you what it looks like when he has a team where he can roll the ball out and turn them loose. While the real fans celebrate, you all can cry in your beer.
👍🏾😹😹
Amen!
I’m 85 from Ohio, born in Toledo at the same hospital Saban & Meyer were born bleed Scarlet & Grey, however I’ve listened to KY BB at the ripe young age 6 & have alway followed & pulled for the Cats. GO BIG BLUE!🏀
Look at the comments. Wagner will be fine. It’s his game to drive to the bucket. Different league now so let’s hope he doesn’t get hurt anymore. Ole coach has a major task with playing time. Let’s hope he pulls the right strings.
You guys/gals had better thank the G League being coach will continue to push players off to whatever league they can find. And as mentioned in other threads, the Sheppards got more TV time the ole ball coach. And I will continue to compliment the coach & his bench assistants (Rupp only had one) they look great in whatever jacket they chose. They made Miami and their coaches look like a JV team. ✌️ Out and go Cats.
If you guys say you don’t like Cal, then why bother to watch the cats. Just move on and don’t worry about what Cal or the cats do
I love the Cats and will always bleed blue. I don’t like what Calipari has done to our program, but I do like making Calipari lovers like you and Jimmy squeal wee wee wee all the way home, lol!
Trolling is when someone post or comments online to deliberately upset others. In short: Trolling is when someone deliberately tries to upset others online. Trolling can lead to a pile on, when others join in the attack. Roflmoa
Some of u crybaby’s tell me how many couches can do what couch cal has done in his time hear with all the young guys that come in every year ,,and have a winning record about every year ,,,of course I would love to see big blue win more titles ,but I’ve been a true fan from day one and I’m 56 now ,,,,but all said I won’t to say good job Cal and thank for giving my family some great memories….
Glen,
u is spelled you, crybaby’s is spelled crybabies, couch is spelled coach, hear is spelled here, and won’t is spelled want. You might want to use spellchecker from now on. I will NEVER turn my back on Kentucky like Calipari has done on multiple occasions.
The haters…my god you idiots would find anything at all to complain about. Cals fine. The cats are awesome. We’re winning games and the play style has changed to meet the modern era. Credit that to Cal. He’s a hall of fame coach. It seems that most of the haters are on him because of his politics more than his coaching. You guys need to get a grip. If you run him off, who exactly are we going to get to replace him? College coaching isn’t exactly filled with hall of fame coaches willing to put up with a toxic fan base. And my, oh my do we have one here.
Seems to be doing great
Die Hard Louisville fan who appreciates great basketball. The bench guards are amazing. Dillingham and Sheppard would start anywhere else in the country.
Sheppard has the 2nd best plus minus in recent history behind Zion and just in front of AD. Yes your AD.
Now I was mad DJ went to KY and not UL, but this slow white boy is the best player on team. I love it. Watching him get 9 steals vs Kansas and Miami. He has his best games vs the best opponents. I hope Reed stays all 4yrs and completes his education. College basketball has come a long way since 80s, guys don’t stay so we dont get to form a better understanding of the players personalities and full capabilities. Oh well I will enjoy the new one and done and revamped rosters each season anyway…..
P.S. why is a Louisville fan actually watching KY? It’s cause Kenny Payne is a joke. And I realize why the dribble drive is horrible offense.
Well, some love him, Ole Cal that is, and some hate him. Tick-toc, tick-toc time is slipping away. Just enjoy watching this team now as you put the last game behind you. When March comes, Cal will then be in the hot spot light. Will he choke in the elite 8 yet again, or will he survive to endure a week long colonoscopy before the Final Four?? Stay tuned, for some posting will be proven right or wrong. Good day!!!
GO BIG BLUE ENJOY BASKETBALL LIFE IS TO SHORT.
I was a huge UK basketball fan from 1956 until "No Backbone Traitor Cal" let his players kneel before our National Anthem & Flag. There can NEVER Never ever BE ANY JUSTIFICATION for this COWARDLY ACT under any circumstances. Too many have died in defense of our country & flag so dishonorable & despicable Calipari can coach youngsters to bounce a ball. I didn’t always agree with Bobby Knight, but he would have absolutely done the HONORABLE thing to never permit, thus DISMISSED ALL from the team that took a knee. I had hoped Wagner & Sheppard had gone to a major university that focuses on high academics & respect for our country.