Vicky Graff Photo
Just how impactful has freshman guard Reed Sheppard already been for coach John Calipari this season?
Only Calipari can answer that but it is not hard to tell what impact Sheppard has had on Big Blue Nation.
He was sensational again in Tuesday’s 95-73 win over No. 8 Miami. He went 5-for-9 from 3-point range and had a team-high 21 points in 30 minutes. He also had five defensive rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block while committing just one turner. He had an incredible +35 ranking.
In fact, he was so good that Sean Vinsel of HoopsInsight.com floated an interesting scenario on social media after the win.
“Calipari just needs to have Reed Sheppard ask Barnhart to build a new practice facility,” Vinsel tweeted.
It was a clever take on Calipari’s plea for a new practice facility being nixed by athletics director Mitch Barnhart. And who knows. Maybe Sheppard’s voice would be heard a bit more by the UK AD.
I also really liked this postgame tweet from former UK basketball player Tod Lanter.
“Reed is so good that Jeff & Stacey (who’s accolades are immeasurable) are getting more TV time than they did when they played,” Lanter posted on X.
He is right about former UK players Stacey and Jeff Sheppard getting an abundance of TV time and that’s not going to stop because it is an intriguing story line.
How intriguing? Even former UK coach Rick Pitino, who recruited Jeff Sheppard, is part of the Reed Sheppard mania.
“I’m watching Reed Sheppard play n thinking of his Mom n Dad as if it were yesterday. Such a great experience for both of them. Absolutely wonderful people. Make it happen Reed!!!” the St. John’s coach tweeted.
Actually, it should be keep making it happen because the current Kentucky Mr. Basketball has been sensational through seven games.
11 Responses
I don’t think nobody will duplicate what Rick Pitino did for our program the whole time he was here. Boy was the 90′ s were the best time for UK basketball.
Those were the days! We always bought sweet 16 tickets because the never loss in the 1st two rounds. So much fun! ! But I don’t pine for days gone by. The rear view mirror is small for a reason! I embrace each and every day with a smile and keep looking for the forward. The Nation knows "The Cats are coming". The Band Wagon is starting to fill up. Those not on better get on soon!
Keep up the good work. Go Blue or Stay Home!!!!!
That is exactly right rick did more fore u k than anyone can imagine thanks rick
Frank Ramsey saw me talking deaf sign language to my father who was the coach at the Kentucky School for the Deaf and won the deaf national championship before I was born and Ramsey took me to get the whole team’s autographs. Including Bill Spivey and Cliff Hagan
. Then I married Ralph Beard’s cousin. I think there were other candidates for Best times for Kentucky Basketball. I’m not complaining, I’m just thankful for my experiences. And I liked what Rick Pitino did for Ketucky Basketball too. Reed Shepherd will be among those unforgettable KY Players. Thanks too to Vaught whose daddy was my sports reporter in school.
Love those stories Claude and my dad loved watching you play at Danville
Claude, we have to make some allowance for their youth. I was just reflecting with another UK fan how this team reminded us both of the excitement of the Rupp’s Runt team.
I was just a little late to the party to have related to Ramsey, Beard, and Spivey, having never seen them play. My father, if he had scored tickets, which he did frequently from friends, would have taken my older brother or my mother at that time. I remember going with him to some practices at Alumni Gym down the street from Memorial, but the names of the players does not register now. But I certainly listened to games, with Caywood calling them (yes kiddies, we ‘watched’ the games on the radio, even after TV became a thing. Televised games were limited, and b&w when they were broadcast.)
Nice chapter in your life, and nice people often do nice things, we don’t hear about it. 😉
Great memories Al
That is exactly right rick did more fore u k than anyone can imagine thanks rick
Can you imagine if Rick never left and was still at UK.Scary
Caywood Ledford was, and is, a remarkable, unforgettable voice and embassy for Kentucky Basketball. Try a re-broadcast from ’78 Championship. It’s unbelievable
Cawood was the best Dee
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