Antonio Reeves Helps Propel Cats to Easy Win at Louisville

Vicky Graff Photo

Kentucky really has not had to have Antonio Reeves carry the offense like he did at times last season.

However, against Louisville Thursday night, the Cats got off to a sluggish start and needed the senior guard to take over and he did. He had 22 of his game-high 30 points in the first half to lift UK to a 95-76 win — and the game was not as close as the final score indicates.

Reeves’ red-hot shooting — he was 9-for-10 from the field in the first half including 4-for-4 from 3-point range — helped UK get a 20-point lead after it fell behind early when it missed its first five shots.

The Bluegrass Sports Commission named Reeves the game’s most valuable player for dominating the game at the KFC Yum Center. Reeves also had two assists and two steals to go along with his season-high scoring total.

This was not really a marquee win for the Cats because the Cards just have not been very good the last two years. But it was another great learning lesson because UK looked sluggish early coming off its best win of the season over North Carolina. However, rather than let the pressure of the rivalry game create stress, the Cats just started scoring, running and dominating the game.

“They got ‘em ranked nine (in the polls), but they’re a lot better than nine,” Louisville coach Kenny Payne said. “They share the ball, they defend, they have players that can really shoot the ball, really pass the ball. Probably the best passing team we’ve played. They’re a machine. They keep coming at you.”

That was the consensus on social media after the win.

“This Kentucky team makes the extra pass, shot selection is so much better than last few years,” veteran national sportswriter Dick “Hoops” Weiss posted on X. “Freshmen remind me so much of Cats 2010 class in terms of talent, except they have a much better IQ.”

“Kentucky has its best team since 2019-20 when it went 25-6 prior to COVID canceling the NCAA Tournament.  The team in 2022 that earned a two seed and lost to St. Peter’s (in the NCAA Tournament) didn’t have near the ceiling that this squad does,” CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein posted on X.

Kentucky fans continued to be excited about this team and should be. Consider that UK blistered the Cards even though D.J. Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw for only four points in 39 minutes of play.

This team has the balance/firepower to overcome that.

Freshman guard Reed Sheppard had his first double-double with 11 points and 11 assists — the most by any UK player ever against Louisville. The previous high was nine by Dicky Beal, Riche Farmer and Sahvir Wheeler. Sheppard also had four rebounds and two steals in what has become a typical performance for him.

Tre Mitchell has been overshadowed a bit with the return of Bradshaw the last four games. However, it was Mitchell who got his first double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds, including 10 off the defensive board. He also had three blocks, two steals and one assist.

Maybe even more encouraging was that freshman Justin Edwards had 13 points on 6-for-10 shooting, seven rebounds, two steals and one assist in 24 minutes. That might not have been a breakout game but going 6-for-10 from the field and becoming much more active was a big step forward from his recent play.

Rob Dillingham had a quiet 12 points on 5-for-9 shooting and had two rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal.

This team truly seems to have no ego.

Sheppard downplayed his performance on the UK Radio Network postgame show to credit teammates.

“You gotta love it, that’s what basketball is, especially this game. Louisville-Kentucky is always a physical game,” Sheppard said. “We got to give credit to my teammates. We came out and fought. How about Justin? Justin played a great game tonight. Tone was not missing in the first half.”

That team-first mentality over me-first is why so many continue to believe this team can be special. Sure, it’s still a long grind ahead but this team continues to improve, learn and win — and that’s a good combination.