UK Athletics Photo
Just when it looked like the Reed Sheppard magic might be gone, the Kentucky freshman dazzled everyone again.
He was a non-factor in Tuesday’s loss at South Carolina. He went 0-for-5 in the first half at Arkansas Saturday night when the UK offense was even more atrocious than it was at South Carolina as the Cats missed15 of their first 16 shots.
But in the second half the Sheppard magic was back better than ever.
He had all 14 of his points in the second half as UK rallied to beat Arkansas 63-57. Sheppard was 5-for-7 from the field in the second half but also had four of his five assists, three of his four rebounds and two of his four steals in the second half.
Sheppard helped ice the game with a pair of free throws with 39 seconds left.
“He’s one of the best five or 10 freshmen in the nation,” ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said after constantly praising his passing and playmaking ability in the second half.
Kentucky coach John Calipari said Sheppard told him at halftime to “stick” with him, something Calipari didn’t do at South Carolina because he “looked like a deer in headlights” and the coach told his star freshman he had to demand to stay in games. He did at Arkansas and Calipari even had him running the point most of the second half instead of D.J. Wagner.
“He was making some better decisions,” Calipari said.
Kentucky needed that because its other super sub, freshman guard Rob Dillingham, was out with a stomach bug that Calipari found out about earlier in the day at UK’s shoot around.
Kentucky scored 39 points in the second half after getting only 24 the first half. UK had only one field goal in the game’s first 10 minutes and had just six points almost 12 minutes into the game — not something you expect from a team averaging 90 points per game.
Calipari said he added a couple of wrinkles at halftime and his team was smart enough to be able to make adjustments.
“I wanted them to keep playing fast. We must have missed seven layups,” Calipari said. “(IN the second half) instead of getting shots blocked, missing layups or shooting floaters when it was a tough shot they threw it out (to open shooters).”
Bilas said a 55 percent 3-point shooter like Sheppard creates issues for opponents and then late in the game he is almost automatic at the foul line.
“In late-game situations you have to have Reed with the ball. Calipari just has to tell his team to get the ball to Reed,” Bilas said even though Sheppard got a defensive rebound that led to him getting fouled with 39 seconds left when he made free throws to seal the win.
ESPN announcer Dan Shulman noted that one other thing always stands out about Sheppard.
“He never appears to sweat. He looks the same at the end of a game that he does at the start,” Shulman said.
That’s because Sheppard maintains his poise and never over celebrates a good play or hits bottom after a missed shot or bad play. He just keeps playing and “sticking” with him certainly paid off big again for Calipari and UK.
23 Responses
" sticking with " makes it sound like it’s a tough decision. I’d take him on the floor over phenom Edward’s anyday.
Agree. I’m sick of him "sticking" with Edwards.
he did not play much last night
Btw.. awesome pic of Reed skywalking .
Yes it was. Credit Chet White of UK Athletics
Any real coach, any non-fraud coach, would have been starting Reed Sheppard from the start. But unfortunately for UK and Reed Sheppard, Calipari is a fraud who picks his pets, caters to his pets, and if you are a player who does not merit PET-STATUS, tough for you.
It pains this fraud to have one of those PETS sitting while his NON-PETS are demonstrating how to play this game.
Not knocking on Reed, but everyone is forgetting the real get go guy and that’s Reeves. He plays so smooth and playing like an all american in my opinion. As far Reed he has his flaws at times for a game and a half he didn’t play well. But that second half he played what he’s capable of just needs to be more consistent.
Reeves has been great. Averaging almost 20 points per game
some people will find a flaw in a perfect sphere, someone mentioned that we weren’t where we should be.. where exactly should we be with 8 newcomers? probably would only have 4 wins with a competent coach.. calipari is exceptional for his ability to meld them so fast… the man wins PERIOD. because he doesn’t win six games in a row at the very end of the year does not make him a bad coach or does it make this team a bad team. put on your big boy UK pants because guess what we’re not going to win the championship every year.. and let me know when one of you all are making six figures a year much less seven to coach a team as good as this one then talk to me about underachieving. the people who do this probably have never played basketball in an organized fashion ever.. some of these people probably never had to suffer through the Sutton years.. and probably none of you are going to acknowledge that pitino went 14 and 14 his first year here inheriting another man’s team.. calipari did the same thing inherited an nit team and went to the elite 8 with John Wall in DeMarcus cousins and most people consider that an elite team.. but go ahead and keep couch coaching
Look at Reeves’ production with Sheppard on and off the floor.
Reed makes every player on the floor with him better, often because he sacrifices his own offense to distribute the ball to others. His steals, his assists, and even his rebounding from the point gaurd position, all demonstrate this commitment to the team’s success by Reed Sheppard.
Yes, Reeves scores a lot. However, he consumes a lot of possessions to get his points. Reed Sheppard remains the most efficient offensive player on this team, and has been for the vast majority of this season.
He is the best freshman on this team. He may be the best player on this team. He is one of if not the best freshman in the country.
Yet, in the Fraud’s world, he is not worthy of starting.
Shameful
He played 35 minutes and you still whining about his playing time. He played his worst game as a cat against SC and it carry over the first half yesterday. The second half he played whole lot better and yes I agree he is one of the best if not the best freshman in the country. He doesn’t have to do it all like some of ours are begging him to do
Reed Sheppard is a beast, as was his dad. But I wouldn’t say he’s the best player on the team. Nor would I say that he’s not amongst the best. I will say that every player on UK’s team or any other goes through highs and lows. Each player adds something to the team. On any given night in the NBA you might see a different starting lineup, mostly based on your opponents lineup. Give each UK player his due.
I am far from a expert on things "basketball," so I’ll not offer any coaching suggestions or criticism (I do know that Calipari has a pretty impressive record over the years), and a win is a win. Modifications were made at half-time which changed things for the better. This is a young team, however highly touted individually, and they are competing with similarly highly touted players nearly every game. Experience is being gained and that level of competition is not going to diminish as the season progresses. Injuries, illnesses, "breaks," and evolving team unity will likely tell the tale over time. As a fan, I love watching this UK team and wish them well.
I have enjoyed watching them as well John Jackson
John, you may not be an "expert", but your comment makes you seem like an intelligent
person who is capable of making intelligent decisions. Well done sir.
John I wish the whining people would understand your philosophy of what your saying. I love watching them too regardless.
I wish this team well but any fan that has followed UK has seen Cal take a team with 2-3 times the talent and lose to a less talented team simply by getting outcoached. It happens far too often.
That Arkansas team is hot garbage.
And this fraud lost at home to UNCW.
JJ…appreciate your comments as well. The "young" theme wears very thin with many of us during this time of the year and the Calmeister always goes there and has for years. He does have a lot of accomplishments over the years but unfortunately we are a society of "what have you done lately" He continues to test the word "insanity" with consistency because they keep doing the same over and over. This team does have a lot of great, talented individuals but Cal does not have them drinking his cool aid yet and this team is still not prepared for March greatness. We have too many Cats and not enough Dogs!
The D was a little better and more efficient than least few games but not sure it is still anywhere near where it should be, especially midway thru the season. I do think that Cal has gotten into Reed’s head a little as his last few games have shown. We apparently are not capable of putting together a complete, balanced game. This is on the coach and staff. We seem to be playing to the level of a team that will produce a minimum of 10 losses and not make it beyond the final 32.
I’ve said it before Sheppard ever committed to Ky. " don’t do it." Cal is not a real coach, he is a recruiter, snake-oil salesman, and a registered narcissistic blowhard who loses the respect of the Burger Boys he recruits once practice starts. Sheppard could have been an All American out of the gate at a place like Purdue, Gonzaga, Creighton. His chances would be far greater to win a title, at least a final four appearance with one of the three. We know what is going to happen in March, FRISBEE BUISNESS COLLEGE STUNS KY IN SECOND ROUND. There’s your headline with Ole Cal.
The Italian has always played at the other teams level! His dribble-drive strategy is pathetic! Too many players over the years including this year who cannot finish at the rim!! Unacceptable! Chart the missed shots at the rim. You will be amazed! He has convinced Wagner that dd is his game and that if he goes in he will likely get fouled – nope! Remember the Harrison twins? That was the strategy then.
As a lifetime Wildcat fan, born true blue in the belly of Kentucky not too far from Danville. I will say that the best thing that ever happened to this UK fan is getting away from the next day blues. You know the ones that sit at the cafe complaining whether it be breakfast, lunch, or dinner about last night’s game. Coach did this or that. What was that kid thinking? The world is coming to an end type fan.
I lived in DC in 92, was dating the woman that in afterthought was the love of my life. Another day.
We were in Georgetown that day looking for someplace to watch the game and walking down Wisconsin Ave from her apartment. Looking a couple blocks away I saw the blue streaming in. I said to Eileen that’s where we’re going.
Walked in only a few before tipoff, ordered a couple beverages, turned around to a Duke Alumni event. It was DC, it made since that the wealthy south would be ever present in the District.
I refused to leave and experienced the ebbs and flows of the greatest game college basketball has ever seen. It went from two voices yelling over the silence of our foes. To the eruption of the Laettner basket. We all know he should have been ejected for the Timberlake kick.
Cheers to Cheers for hosting one of the most transformative nights of my life. I learned how to truly love the history of Kentucky Basketball, and aside from our first drinks did not pay for another. They were literally lining up to buy the two Kentuckian’s drinks!!!
Reed should be the number 1, they just play a lot better and his decision making is so much better. Everyone will play better when u have a good decision maker leading the team. Once he starts to take more shots he is gonna be ridiculous.