D.J. Wagner knew he could not get inside so he passed to Reed Sheppard to hit the game-winning shot. (Vicky Graff Photo)
As much as Kentucky coach John Calipari liked how freshman guard hit the game-winning shot, he was just as happy that freshman guard D.J. Wagner gave up the ball to position Sheppard for the shot that beat host Mississippi State 91-89 Tuesday night.
“Being up three (points) with 16 seconds is precarious. The reason you don’t foul is there is too much time,” Calipari said on the UK Radio Network. “They shoot quick and he makes it. I never call timeout. I tell D.J. to make it happen. He throws to Reed and we win at the buzzer.”
Calipari has seen Wagner try too often this season to force a play in similar situations.
“There was nothing there and he has got to recognize that. This time he stopped and throws to Reed and he gets that basket,” Calipari said.
Wagner finished the game with 10 points on 3-for-5 shooting — he made two 3-pointers in the first half — along with four assists, one steal and one rebound in 28 minutes.
“I said to the team (after the game) isn’t it nice to have DJ back,” Calipari told Tom Leach on the postgame radio show. “He was shooting 40 percent from 3 and then he was out 2 1/2 weeks without touching a ball. It takes time to get the chemistry back.
“He did other things. He made layups. He got a steal. He did good. It’s just nice to have him back.”
Wagner was only 9-for-46 from the field in his previous seven games, including only 1-for-7 in UK’s romp over Alabama, but he was 3-for-5 in Tuesday’s win.
“It is just all about keep shooting no matter what,” Wagner said. “My coaches and teammates have faith in me. You are going to have games where you do not make shots. That is not what the game is about. It is about doing what you can to help the team win. My teammates told me if I am open, keep shooting because they will eventually fall.”
Wagner said every player and/or team has to be able to handle adversity when it hits, especially on the road. Kentucky trailed State by 13 points with 18 minutes to play.
“Teams are going on runs and it will be louder than usual on the road but you have to stay positive and keep a good head,” Wagner said. “We know coming into this game it would not be easy. They are a great team and they played amazing.
“We just keep fighting. We are taking it day by day but this game was a great win in a great environment. It was not easy but no games are going to be easy.”
18 Responses
Never mentioned how great of a game Shepherd had. All about DJ. I’m so disappointed in this coach and his favorites.
He made one short mention of him. He led the team in every statistical category and hardly a word!!!!! 😡 😡 😡
Surprised me also with what he said and didn’t say
You know Larry it remnded me of something RP said once. He said when he was upset at Derrick Miller he would scream at John Pelphry because his dad was a coach and he could handle it and that if he screamed at Miller he would go into a shell and we needed his 4 or 5 threes a game. I think Cal knows which of his players need to hear good things said about them by the coach (Wagner and Edwards) and which ones don’t (Reed and Dilly). It did bother me that Reed was not the subject of his main congradulations but I can see why. It’s like Reed not starting. It would bother most but not him(or Dilly). Something to be said about having a mental coach since his sophmore year in high school.
Just my opinion.
It’s all about Reed being penalized for having a good attitude and only wanting his team to win.
Most of the other players are not like that.
King Cal should start and give the majority of the minutes to his best players.
What an asskissing Calipari loving opinion.
The King of all Trolls speak! Blah Blah Blah
I think you are correct. My dad coached me for a few years. Even though I was one of the better players on the team (according to the assistants and other players) he would not start me. I also bore the brunt of his criticism. He did not believe in nepotism. It made me play even harder. Eventually he had to start me but never really praised me nor would he let the assistant coaches do so and was still very quick to criticize me. He wasn’t mean or ugly I just think he knew how I would react. He was an excellent developer of talent and our team records reflected that.
Cmon man Cal led with saying he told his team Sheppard plays to Win. And you didnt want to choke Sheppard with that long pass?
Wagner drew the defense away from Sheppard (who was clapping for the ball.)
Wagner Drawing the d away and then gave up the ball PERFECT.
Cal is greasing the wheels of our bus for more of this teamwork that is needed in March.
He should have put more grease on the last 3 years.
Well..a little birdie must’ve said something about it because cal was adamant about mentioning his name on purpose on his radio show tonight. Obviously intentionally
Lord, here we are 28 games in the season and some is so dang worry about why Reed is not starting!!!!
I guess you have never actually played ball. If you had you’d know that it’s a big deal.
Just ask Edwards or Wagner.
Or Savir Wheeler
Ever wonder why we start out behind in the beginning of almost every game?
Reed has started some games and were getting same results as far running behind start of the game. FACT CHECK!!!
Because your King didn’t have them ready to play. As Usual.
Why are you so down on Reed ?
Fact Check – Reed is the most efficient player on the team!
If not for a 2nd MSU player sliding over to stop DJ we probably would’ve lost that game.
Blows my mind that Cal asks DJ to go make a play with Sheppard, Reeves, and Dillingham out there.
Dillingham has proven he is clutch and hits big shots but Sheppard was have an amazing game.
Sheppard saved Cal last night and deserves plenty of praise as do the two MSU players that prevented DJ from throwing up some wild shot.
You always make some excuses what if, well it didn’t happen and sorry you saw the cats won. Go Cats;!
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