Reed Sheppard maneuvered inside the Mississippi State defense just before making the winning shot Tuesday. (Vicky Graff Photo)
John Calipari did not go overboard in his praise of Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard on his postgame radio show Tuesday night even though Sheppard hit the game-winning shot at Mississippi State.
However, Calipari might not have understood just how good Sheppard was in the 91-89 win.
He scored 32 points on 11-for-14 shooting from the field, including 4-for-7 from 3-point range, but also had seven assists, five rebounds, two blocks, two steals and only two turnovers. Throw in the game-winning shot and it was one of the best individual performances in recent years at Kentucky.
“Until I got on the plane, I didn’t know he had 32,” Calipari told Tom Leach Wednesday night on his radio show. “He has the ability to stay calm and not worry about losing. You only worry about winning. How do we win? You can’t play not to lose.”
That is how Sheppard has always been just like his parents, Stacey and Jeff, were during their playing careers at Kentucky.
He now has 76 steals, third best all-time on UK’s single season list, and is averaging 12.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists going into Saturday afternoon’s game against Arkansas. He is also hitting almost 52 percent from 3-point range which ranks second nationally even though he’s taken more 3’s (116) than anyone else in the top six.
Sheppard and freshman teammate Rob Dillingham, both projected as lottery picks in most NBA mock drafts, do not start even though both are elite scorers. Sheppard still averages 28.7 minutes per game and has played more minutes than any player except leading scorer Antonio Reeves. Dillingham averages 23 minutes per game — the sixth most on the team.
Calipari emphasized again Wednesday night that he was not changing his starting lineup to include Sheppard and Dillingham despite consistently slow starts from the Cats this season.
“We’ll stick with what we’re doing right now. Injuries may create it, something that does that. But if we had started games like we were early in the year, yeah, I would have. We were starting — offensive rebounds, like five in the first two minutes — then I’m starting the wrong people,” Calipari said.
“But starting, it doesn’t matter. I mean, I think Reed and if Robert didn’t foul, would have played the most minutes, so it doesn’t matter. I’ve got a group of guys and got to keep them on the same page. (I’m) trying to build up every young person and try to make sure they know I believe in him, but you hold them accountable.
“They’re responsible and they own their performance. If we need someone who’s going to rebound better, then you may be out.”
49 Responses
CALIPARI IS A FRAUD
Ignorance is “bliss “ in your world, I guess
I agree!!
Wagner has alot of potential.
However by this time of the year more potential should be coming to the forefront( irregardless of a few injuries). His untimely shot selections are selfish or unexpected.
I do look forward to seeing him improve for his nba
future’s sake.
How could he not know how many points Sheppard had when it’s plastered right next to the score. But maybe that’s why he takes alot of players out and doesn’t play them the rest of the game when they have the hot hand. What a idiot. The more he talks the more I don’t understand what he says. I love Kentucky Calapari is just the coach to me.
LSU game Last play went to Shepherd in the corner should have let him shoot rather than force the ball inside! If he miss we would had a better chance of a RB! Cal does not know what he has! If my point guard score 32 point I would have known it in the locker room not on Wednesday talk show!
You know it eats at Calipari that Sheppard is so good.
I mean he proclaimed Justin Edwards day on his social media account.
If Wagner or Edwards had 32 points and hit the game winner cal would definitely know and we would definitely hear about it!
Yes, Sheppard is consistent every game, he comes to play & compete, he comes to win. He don’t get enough praise from Cal, that’s for sure.
Totally agree!
I totally agree, I find myself questioning Cal more and more, I am tired of giving him the benefit of the doubt, he just simply ain’t a great x’s and O’s coach, PERIOD!!
Cal should of noticed, he hit big shot after big shot. But I was most impressed with the team free throw shooting in the clutch, that is what won this game😊
Califraudi continues to show how out of touch he really can be with his team and the BBN. He always has those stat sheets in front of him during his postgames. Again…nobody does less with more than Cal. Shocked to see that we are now 4th in the SEC?? My..how the mighty have fallen.
agree 100% Cal has done less with more for the last several years.
I think he’s lying. Trying to save face. That being said it doesn’t say alot about one’s observation skills now doesn’t it? I think a birdie told him that he better says something about Reed. More dumb stuff from Cal.
Cals awful good about reminding reporters after games about stats and this that and the other on the regular.. But he missed 32 points?
Cal knows exactly how many nba all stars played at uk
He’s the Greatest Coach of All time. According to Chin Coleman.
He is a GOAT of other kind but falls very short of being the GOAT.
Ellen backed Chin some brownies for saying that. No way he actually believes it!
He may have gotten more than brownies.
The brownies had concentrate in them.
He’s a liar 🤥 so full of crap
Rupp didn’t allow freshman to play and how many titles did he win? Sick of one and done
Freshmen were not allowed to play when Rupp coached.
Pete Maravich couldn’t play his freshman year.
King Cal wouldn’t have played him his sophomore year either.
He is a used car salesman
He did not notice that Reed played 35 minutes. Otherwise he would have taken him out after 28.
Chris Jans certainly noticed Reed’s contribution. Read his comments after the game!
Maybe Cal said it so you guys can go a rant on here. Boy did he shook you guys up. That been said there’s a Hugh article on CBS sport site that they interviewed Sheppard family and Cal about Reed yesterday. Cal gave more props to Reed and said none whatsoever about the other players on the team
Was he not watching the game
He will have to review the film to confirm.
I find it hard to believe he didn’t know Sheppard went off for 32. I mean JEEZ that’s > 1/3 of your entire team’s offensive output! And, though he still makes some Freshman dumb mistakes/decisions, one can’t argue he can save your team a L and put you in running for that W. Plus he’s efficient in every category on both sides of the O and D.
He can’t keep up with what Reed is doing.
Too busy watching Edwards and Wagner.
Edwards did come back to earth after his 1 game.
Cal is doing his job. He’s building up the players as they need it. Nobody can earn a regional or national championship by himself. Reed doesn’t need constant stroking to perform exceptionally. Some need it. Until it’s broke, don’t fix it. It’s working well. Let’s keep it going fellas.
All you folks bitching about Coach Calipari are funny. If you were as good at your job as he is at his, you wouldn’t be on here complaining about him.
He spends all his time making these kids be the best version of themselves he can and has done an incredible job of that for all the players that have been through the program in the last 14 years.
And for those who are comparing him to Rupp, the game is a bit different now. Just stop with that nonsense.
I agree that he has done an incredible job for the players.
Winning games is secondary.
Coach Cal hates to play white players white players. He hates to play native Kentuckian. Reed is both of them. But he has to play him to win and somewhat shut up the in-state base.
I’m just glad the team is starting to gel. Big wins against Alabama and Mississippi State, especially Mississippi State having to overcome a large 2nd half deficit.
Congratulations to our Cats, players, coaches, and supporting staff.
5 Calipari lovers and 29 haters. Hmmm, could it be that these lovers are just rah rahs who even loved Billy Clyde? Apparently, those who really know something about this game will call a spade a spade even if it is critical of some of their own players and their fraud of a coach. You rah rahs aren’t doing anything but perpetuating incompetence. This team is soft and refuses to play defense and rebound for 40 minutes. You can’t win championships playing that way. Coach Rupp, Hall, Sutton, Smith, and Pitino knew that, but the fraud has no clue. He only cares about getting his pets in the NBA. Now squeal Calipari lovers, SQUEAL!!!
5 and 30. Reed killing that CAL-PAL NBA agenda! I can root for that all year! Imagine if REED went off as the top draft pick out of this year’s group who go pro: GREATEST NIGHT IN THE HISTORY OF KY BBALL–HAHAHAHA!!! Keep on making the self-acclaimed KING look stupid, REED!!!!! the CANCER is so ignorant and embarrassing that it’s just funny now–but actually it’s not. It’s an insult and it’s disgusting and degrading. I can’t even stand to read his quotes, much less hear that rambling lost voice–he has the mind and rambling of a classic A.D.D. GEN-Z’er–he doesn’t even know what he says. And he could give two sh**s less about this fan base or this state–im actually sure that he hates them both. The people who still actually believe that he does are truly lost and have been blinded–I feel sorry for them. But the KING could probably insult all of them to their face and they would still love him. He is a classic narcissist, and he does what classic narcissists do: he reels people In with that phony snake oil salesman act, and ends up with a mass of blind followers who will bow to his feet and will do anything he tells them, and will believe anything he tells them. Will nvr question him or doubt him or say anything bad about him. He is KING–he can do no wrong–hes a perfect man and perfect coach!!!!
😂😂😂😂
It is unconscionable that he doesn’t give Sheppard more praise.
The first thing he ever says about Reed is a mistake he made, never how great he is playing.
All we hear from him concerning DJ is how great he is.
IMO He is just trying to raise DJ’s draft stock at the expense of the other players but it is not working.
He says everyone has to earn their spot,
No matter what is said about Kentucky basketball players and our coach everyone knows we have the most fans in the nation and best players in the nation #1 our coach recruits the best don’t you see that.
6 and 32. Where is Jimmy?
Betting Odds: Here’s a look at the betting odds for the teams mentioned above to win the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament and to make the final four, with data from sportsbook DraftKings Inc (NASDAQ:DKNG).
Connecticut: +500 champion, +110 make Final Four
Arizona: +1,400, +280
Auburn: +2,000, +450
Houston: +750, +170
Tennessee: +1,300, +280
Purdue: +750, +170
Duke: +2,800, +550
Creighton +3,000, +650
Marquette: +2,000, +450
North Carolina: +1,800, +400
TCU: +10,000, +2,500
This is why there are so many Calipari haters. Kentucky isn’t even in the conversation for a national title anymore. We are becoming the next Indiana.
WOW!! I have never heard so many "professionals" have si many ridiculous "opinions " in all my 82 years!!! Have we forgotten these ARE COLLEGE KIDS RIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL!!??? REED SHEPPARD IS 19 YEARS OLD, FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE!! I love Kentucky also, but please Please GET A GRIP PEOPLE and try to enjoy the rest of the season, however it shakes out!! GO BIG BLUE!!!
And another thing!..until you haters are sitting in that coach’s chair with all the pressure and responsibility for all those kids, you should be careful about all your criticism and comparisons. Cal is certainly not perfect but his job is not easy. TRY A LITTLE KINDNESS💙💙💙
For $187,500 @ week I’d give it a shot.