Reed Sheppard had 11 points, five rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals in 24 minutes Friday.
Illinois State coach Ryan Pedon had been impressed with Kentucky on film but he was even more impressed after his team lost 96-70 to the Wildcats in Rupp Arena on Friday night.
“I have followed Kentucky for a long time, and this is my third time coaching them in this building. Of course, we faced them a few years back when I was at Ohio State as well and their talent now is like it was then,” Pedon said.
“There is a different brand of basketball and a different commitment with this team, and I think there is a very big difference to me and that shows up in their selfless play and they are really hard to guard already, but now they are really hard to guard and are selfless.
“They are tremendous in transition, and they expose areas of weakness for anybody with the way they are playing right now.”
Pedon watched Kentucky “dismantle” Miami (Fla.) a few weeks ago.
“That made me know our margin of error would be small today,” Pedon said. “It is a game we can use. It was a great atmosphere and I think it is something we can grow from and build on for the evolution of our program from here.”
What makes Kentucky so difficult to stop this season? Pedon had no trouble answering.
“Elite speed and quickness,” he said. “You see that on film and when you look at the stats you see they are fourth in the country in 3-point percentage so what is the scouting report for a team coming in?
“I watched North Carolina play them and stay home but that opened driving lanes for guys and for when we played them, I knew they were going to have superior length and athleticism. They just were, so we could not go with that same formula. I thought we had to do a nearly flawless job at keeping our guys in front but also throwing bodies in gaps as well as honoring their ability to shoot the ball too.
“They are a hard guard, a very hard guard because of their elite speed and athleticism and Reed Sheppard is the real deal man. He separates them from years past when they did not have a Reed Sheppard but now, they do as well as the talent around him. They are going to be hard for anybody to guard.”
28 Responses
To be honest, this is the first time in many years that I have truly enjoyed and looked forward to watching UK basketball. I like to see them win, but mostly I like to watch good basketball with a fast pace and lot of effort. This team is getting better every game, just need to improve their defense and rebounding a little bit.
If you are on this team and want to score, work to get open and someone will find you and that’s how it should be.
You are one of those fair weather fans Spoiled and unrealistic
Sir, I have kept up with UK in most all sports for over 55 years. You know nothing about me and I can surely say, happily I might add, that I know nothing about you. Your opinion is just that, and everyone, even ignorance has that.
Old Bob just out to be an Internet troll. Keep rooting old fan and let’s go Wildcat’s. 1st year I’ve enjoyed watching 8n awhile.
Why no compliments about Antonio Reeve’s, who dropped 27 points against my Alma Mater Illinois State University! Antonio Reeve’s looked like the Real Deal to me, too bad for the Redbirds!
I’ve been following Reed for 3 years at Laurel. I’m so so happy he is getting all the run and shine that I was hoping he would get. He is the gluey-ist of all glue guys. Stud.
The problem is being a wildcat fan like me for years is we will complain regardless who’s the coach. There’s only 2 coaches that took the helm is Eddie Sutton and Billy Gillespie that I didn’t think that wasn’t t fit for our program since I been following the cats from late 60’s. The real problem is the game has changed through our the college basketball landscape. Just my opinion
I have fellowed college BB since the 60ties and played and coached over 25 years. Sheppard is the one of the best I have seen. He is a game changer!
Sheppard is the real deal. #1 shooter in the nation, and #9 in the nation for steals.
Yet, Calipari refuses to recognize his real contributions and not give him a starting role.
The typical script, fall behind early to inferior teams and then when Reed enters the game, as noted above, he changes the game. It happens time after time.
Why isn’t the "real deal" starting?
I think Reed is better off the bench…he is awesome but he says they watch the game and see what they need to do and go.in and do it. When they started him that one game, threw everything off! Him and Dillingham are great off the bench. And they don’t seem to mind coming off the bench 😊
I agree, Rosie. Some players are more suited to come off the bench after they get a feel for the game. Other players can’t to that very well.
Because Reed and Dillingham are killers. Reed can sit back and evaluate the game then come in and take over like a hands on coach.Not starting doesn’t mean he’s not the most important guy on the team.
Besides calipari being the idiot he is, it’s probably bcause coach cals not going to hang his hat on a 4 star white boy from ky, that’s why! His ego won’t allow it. Reeds paving the way for Perry next year. And i still hope that cal ultimately sees the light this year. Cals starting five with dj and edwards and now Bradshaw has us playing like molasses outta the gate each game. Enter the Rob n Reed show, viola! Action, results, hustle play.
Cal the genius hasnt realized yet that his 2nd team, as a team, outplays his first team nite after nite. Look allll the way back to the blue/ white scrimmage? 2nd team kicked cals starter’s asses. Nothing has changed…including that sad sack calipari. He just has so much talent, even he can hardly screw this team up…this year. Thank goodness. But, he’ll try and find a way….cal being cal, by not starting our best players?
Let’s see, the cats are 10-2, improving every game. They fight, they scrap, they are unselfish, the are their team mates biggest fans. Each and every one of them. And as bad as you can’t , or ever will admit it, the reason for this is Cal. You recruit every season hoping that the next group gels and grows. This one is doing just that. The returnees, along with the genius portal find, and these mature freshman was the hope for a TEAM!!! Well, they are ahead of schedule, and so much fun to watch. Why don’t you be a fan, expect and hope for the best, instead of putting your negative unwanted input into the universe? Either bleed blue, or take your negative assets elsewhere!!! 10-2, go Cats, play for each other!! The real blue appreciate and support you, thick or thin, A loss or a win!!! Ignore the idiots. For the Cats, Thank you all for the examples , and the definition of TEAM you are showing Watching you turn into men, in a short period is amazing. Keep fighting, and rooting for each other.
That was so so right. I bleed blue also and hate the negativity.
Why change something that’s working .him and Dillingham seem to like comeing in and creating the spark .
Sheppard and Dillingham aren’t starting because they like how things are going. They enjoy coming off the bench. Yep, they said so. Reeves- 30.6 mpg. Wagner- 26.7 mpg. Sheppard- 26.3 mpg. Dillingham- 22.9 mpg. Mitchell is first. It has nothing to do with the whiney crap you all are spewing.
They feel like a Pitino team back when he was at KY. Especially once they grow defensively
I love watching my Ky team! They impress me every time they play. The big guys are back and came run the court as well if not better than any D1 team! They are so quick in conversion that any team out there is gonna have trouble competing with them. The big guys give us that rim protection that Tre lacked. Don’t get me wrong Tre did a tremendous job in the first few games before our bigs returned. The bigs are only gonna get better when SEC games start up. Reed Shepard is just amazing he has the style of basketball that we have been missing for several years. The other freshman and Reed melt together like no other team I have watched so far. I’m amazed at the way coach Cal is letting them play there game, sharing the ball is instrumental in their game. They can get open all of them are dangerous and can shoot from anywhere. Is hard for the other team to stay in front of them, and someone is gonna be open you can bet on that. Rebounding and defense is something that they are improving on, but still needs some work. Free throws are gonna be something to improve on because late in the game if their hot they will be getting fouled! They are a top 5 team in my book, their stats are awesome. When it’s all said and done watch out SEC BBN is a force to be reckoned with. Go Big Blue we love y’all and Happy New Year..,
Professor, they are playing pretty good right now with Reed, and Dillingham coming on bench. Why mess with it? If it works, and nobody can really stop it, don’t fix it. Both of them know there coming in at 16:00-15:00 Minute mark, and they get to bout 10:00 minute mark. If Reed started, how you know he might not get tired???? Plus there coming into play aganist winded gaurds on the other team.
I believe the best player should be rewarded for his work. Cal has to promise the farm to the five star players, so the rest have to take a back seat. He has always been that way and he won’t charge.
What a team
Finishers are more important than starters.
Improve the rebounding and defense and the sky is the limit for this Team.
GO CATS!
Look, if you are going to be the coach of Ky. You must have a ego and attitude that knows YOU are the REAL DEAL. The professor and even every grandma in the state thinks they can coach better than Cal. Thank goodness he knows better and shrugs it off. It takes attitudes like Cal and Pitino to survive here. You the man Cal!!!
Coach cal is also not starting Shepard because Shepard is a fan favorite the fans cursed him out couple years ago by moving Shepard in an out of lineup causing fans lots of anxiety.
If DJ Wagner didn’t start, he would be gone immediately….
Listen to the Calipari lovers squeal, lol! I don’t know of a coach in any sport in the country that would have his best player not starting. I think JoJo is right…if Wagner didn’t start, he would transfer out. Calapari has already cost us one national title by leaving Andrew Harrison in the game too long against Wisconsin. Calipari doesn’t care about winning. He only cares about getting his pets into the NBA and BBN pays the price for it!
I agree, rebounding must improve , and defense worked on if we win the one we all want, and these boys can do it. Cal understands what they a re and can be. Give them time to mature a little, and they are a threat to anyone.
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