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How about that offense?
The Kentucky Wildcats found it difficult to miss in their 101-67 victory over Stonehill on Friday night. The Cats shot the lights out for a majority of the game and continued to run an efficient offense with limited turnovers — ALL positives for UK fans.
Stonehill came out of the gate with a quick 8-2 lead in less than two minutes, but Kentucky quickly flipped the switch and took control of the next 18 minutes to lead 58-37 at the half.
Stonehill also started the second half on fire, putting together an 8-0 run to cut Kentucky’s lead down to 13. It wasn’t just Stonehill’s offense, though, as Kentucky missed their first four shots of the second period to play a part in Stonehill’s run.
But it didn’t take long for Reed Sheppard and company to once again take control of the game with their red-hot shooting.
Kentucky would cruise to the finish line and bounce back from their loss to Kansas, improving to 3-1 on the season. They’ll next take the court on Monday against Saint Joseph’s. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 PM ET with television coverage on the SEC Network.
Box Score
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Highlights
MVP
Big Blue Nation is still falling in love with Reed Sheppard, and there are many reasons why. One of those is that he very well could be Kentucky’s best player. He’s so impactful when he steps on the court for Kentucky. He had the best game of any Wildcat on Friday night, with his hot shooting starting in the first half.
Sheppard made all four of his 3-point attempts for 12 points and dished out five assists without a turnover. He continued his stellar play in the second half, finishing the game with 25 points on 9/10 shooting, seven assists, three rebounds, two blocks, three steals, and a team-high +42.
The freshman guard continues to prove he’s an elite shooter and the crafty, all-around player fans love. It’s pretty clear he’s going to continue to do a lot of great things for his team as the year continues to unfold.
Twitter Reactions
Kentucky is 8-11 from three and there are still eight minutes left in the FIRST half. Reed Sheppard has three of those (and 2 assists and a block)
— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) November 18, 2023
Thing of beauty, folks.
The Wildcats currently lead all D1 teams with only 5.7 turnovers per game.
— Samantha Money (@SamanthaMoney8) November 18, 2023
Kentucky has allowed three turnovers against Stonehill in the first half. @KYKernelSports
Stonehill has hit seven first-half 3s but Kentucky is rolling because these new-look Cats are running and gunning, now 10 of 15 from 3 in the half.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) November 18, 2023
What have they done with John Calipari?
Kentucky leads Stonehill 58-37 at the half. Wildcats shot 67% and only had 3 turnovers. That'll win you a lot of games.
— John Huang (@KYHuangs) November 18, 2023
If you follow me here or read the Scouting Report on KSR you knew Stonehill would play this 3-2 Zone. However, I didn't expect them to stick with it all half. I also didn't expect to see Kentucky shoot THIS well.
— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) November 18, 2023
10-16 from 3. 16 assists on 22 FG's. Lead 58-37 at the half.
Offensive efficiency about to be through the roof on KenPom.
— Michael Beard (@AllMikedUp_) November 18, 2023
Would like to see Kentucky try to ballscreen the zone a little bit and attack it off of the dribble just to mix things up and try to do something that will actually translate to another game.
— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) November 18, 2023
Defensively...just need to tighten things up. Concentrate.
In case you were wondering (you were), in just his fourth collegiate game, Reed Sheppard has tied Jeff Sheppard's career-high of 6 made 3s set vs. South Carolina on Feb. 28, 1998.
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) November 18, 2023
Kentucky has set a new Calipari era record with 16 made 3s.
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) November 18, 2023
Is he hot, or is that just standard Reed? Not sure I see many missed shots ahead for him.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) November 18, 2023
Reed Sheppard is the first Wildcat to hit seven 3s in a game since Kellan Grady vs. Alabama on Feb. 19, 2022.
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) November 18, 2023
I’ll say it (and I’m not nearly the first):
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) November 18, 2023
Reed Sheppard is Kentucky’s best player.
Now 23 points in 24 minutes. He’s 7 of 8 from deep and has six assists. A freshman.
Name a team with 2 better guards off the bench than @KentuckyMBB Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham have been so far ….Thank you
— Jimmy Dykes (@CoachJimmyDykes) November 18, 2023
“You ladies all right?” https://t.co/r4YAnWzmiP
— T.J. Walker (@TJWalkerRadio) November 18, 2023
Correct, Reed Sheppard currently leads Kentucky in:
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) November 18, 2023
- Steals (12)
- Blocks (6)
- FG% (69%, 18-26)
- 3P% (71%, 12-17)
- FT% (100%, 5-5) https://t.co/jiXx20zrfT
Reed Sheppard's shooting percentages through four games at Kentucky:
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) November 18, 2023
69.2% FG (18/26)
70.6% 3P (12/17)
Pretty efficient. pic.twitter.com/DKSaPl0VBg
It’s hard not watch the last two games and say the best backcourt is anything but Reed, Dillingham and Reeves
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) November 18, 2023
Kentucky had 26 assists on 39 made field goals in tonight's win over Stonehill. Most aesthetically pleasing team that the Cats have had since 2019-20 with Quickley, Maxey, and Hagans.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 18, 2023
OK so we're four games into the season. Where should Reed have been ranked in the '23 class?
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) November 18, 2023
Players to score 25+ points off the bench in the Calipari era:
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) November 18, 2023
Terrence Jones (35)
Doron Lamb (32)
PJ Washington (28)
Antonio Reeves (27)
Malik Monk (27)
Tyrese Maxey (26)
Kyle Wiltjer (26)
Reed Sheppard (25)
Fun night back in @Rupp_Arena pic.twitter.com/85ByZ0oNZL
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) November 18, 2023
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