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It’s hard to keep finding ways to praise freshmen guards Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham but Sean Vinsel of HoopsInsight.com has managed to find another unique statistic about the two players.
While it has been clear Kentucky’s offense has been most effective with Sheppard and Dillingham on the court because both have been great at sharing the ball, knocking down 3-point shots, forcing turnovers and rebounding.
But Vinsel also pointed this out in a recent blog post:“The playmaking ability of Rob and Reed has helped unlock their teammates’ scoring, too. Their ability to beat defenders off the dribble creates openings for shooters, and their pinpoint passing capitalizes on those openings.”
His numbers to book up that comment might shock you because they did me. The first number is what UK’s five players with the most minutes other than Sheppard and Dillingham are shooting with the pair on the court and the second number is what they are shooting when the two are not in the game.
Justin Edwards — 33 percent, 18 percent.
Tre Mitchell — 48 percent, 29 percent.
Antonio Reeves — 64 percent, 33 percent.
DJ Wagner — 40 percent, 21 percent.
Adou Thiero — 33 percent, 25 percent.
“That’s a staggering difference! Rob and Reed aren’t just dynamite shooters themselves, they turn their teammates into shooters too,” Vinsel posted. “The effect is most pronounced with Antonio Reeves. Reeves is at his best as an outside shooting threat who can attack closeouts, but when Rob and Reed aren’t in the game Reeves has to take on more self-creation than is probably good for him.”
These numbers are pretty staggering too. The scoring margin in the first five minutes of the first half without either guard in the game is minus 15. It’s plus 4 to start the second half. But with the two in the game, the scoring margins soar.
I don’t know the dynamics behind the scenes for Kentucky, but the data is VERY clear that UK is a massively more effective team when focused around Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard,” Vinsel wrote.
More effective indeed.
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See Vinsel’s full post here and you can also subscribe to his posts.
12 Responses
Then why is Sheppard not starting and playing as many minutes as possible, pending fouls, injury, and rest periods?
Calipari promised Edwards and Wagner would be lottery picks if they came to UK. Now all the talk is about Sheppard and Dillingham. Will this lead to more selfish play from Edwards and Wagner to get back into the limelight? Time will tell.
Wagner cannot be a greater ball hog than he already has been. I like Edwards’ game, probably more than I like Dillingham at this point.
Nevertheless, the refusal of this fraud to start Sheppard reveals his long standing favortism.
Don’t understanding Jimmy, best team we’ve had since the Maxey team and they still complain. probably best overall team we’ve had since the 2015 team.
Your exactly right Cats79.
I don’t here anyone complaining except the Cal Haters. Hilarious!
Who believes this will be a Final Four team?
I Do!!! GO CATS!!!!!!!!
This should be a Final 4 team, but with Calipari as coach, I don’t see them moving out of the regional.
It matters much more who is on the court to close out a team, not who is starting. I do think you will see Dillingham and Sheppard get more minutes when it is needed. The only way to bring other players along is to give them minutes against real competition. I have no doubt Wagner and Edwards will keep getting better with each game. This will only help the team to improve for the long haul. I would much rather have players improving at this time of the year than everyone already playing their best. You have to have players to improve and aspects of the game that need improving as the season goes along. What you hope for is that it all comes together in March.
I don’t really care for Cal personally, but I think he is doing a great job with this team. I will give credit where credit is due.
Sheppard on bench at critical time of game. From even to down 10. This defines Calipari’s management of this team and his mismanagement of this program.
I noticed the same thing.
At least he is in the game now at the end!
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