Big win for the Cats.

Don't get on Sheppard too hard.  Didn't he hit 6 straight free throws down the stretch?

Like I eluded to several times before, Shep is the key to this team and Cal will be forced to start him and play him more minutes.

10 hours ago, nikeman49 said:

Like I eluded to several times before, Shep is the key to this team and Cal will be forced to start him and play him more minutes.

I would frame things differently. Sheppard is arguably UK’s most indispensable player, but I think this team’s ceiling will only be realized to the extent Bradshaw can become a viable post presence and rim protector. As far as “starting,” whatever. He’s playing “starter” minutes and in the game at critical junctures. It’s pretty obvious Calipari LOVES him some Reed Sheppard.

Speaking of Bradshaw, there were a couple sequences when he set a pick for Wagner and the setup was there for the perfect rim running pick and roll. Not sure either of then realized it, but hopefully that something they can work on with AB.

2 hours ago, bugatti said:

I would frame things differently. Sheppard is arguably UK’s most indispensable player, but I think this team’s ceiling will only be realized to the extent Bradshaw can become a viable post presence and rim protector. As far as “starting,” whatever. He’s playing “starter” minutes and in the game at critical junctures. It’s pretty obvious Calipari LOVES him some Reed Sheppard.

Regardless of what Bradshaw does and how much he improves means nothing if Shep isn’t running the show both distributing to Reeves, Edward’s, Dill and scoring himself by hitting outside shots and ball handling late in games to get to the free throw line, this team must shoot well or they don’t have a chance and this guard oriented team must score at least 75% of the points. Shep deserves to start for this team and everyone knows this so Cal must make that move.

3 hours ago, bugatti said:

I would frame things differently. Sheppard is arguably UK’s most indispensable player, but I think this team’s ceiling will only be realized to the extent Bradshaw can become a viable post presence and rim protector. As far as “starting,” whatever. He’s playing “starter” minutes and in the game at critical junctures. It’s pretty obvious Calipari LOVES him some Reed Sheppard.

I agree. I wouldn't remotely consider changing how Calipari is using Shepard. Hes such a calming presence and jolt at the same time of the bench. And I love knowing we have someone to her the ball to with under a min left and a small lead.

1 hour ago, nikeman49 said:

Regardless of what Bradshaw does and how much he improves means nothing if Shep isn’t running the show both distributing to Reeves, Edward’s, Dill and scoring himself by hitting outside shots and ball handling late in games to get to the free throw line, this team must shoot well or they don’t have a chance and this guard oriented team must score at least 75% of the points. Shep deserves to start for this team and everyone knows this so Cal must make that move.

Who cares who played the first 4 mins of a game? Reed Shepherd obviously doesn't. Call me crazy but what they are doing and their chemistry is currently working, why change it?

You are definitely correct, this team has to continually shoot well to be special, but if Bradshaw doesn't keep developing, they'll be in trouble come tourney time. They're defense isn't good and the only way that can really change, rim protectors after the guards run the shooters off the 3 point line aka Bradshaw taking big strides forwards. Tons of teams have good guard play. If Bradshaw develops, they could be nasty with him alongside Mitchell.

Shep is getting 25 min per game and needs 35+, has to happen.

8 minutes ago, nikeman49 said:

Shep is getting 25 min per game and needs 35+, has to happen.

How many Kentucky teams in more recent years were dealing with nagging injuries down the stretch to their guards who played that much time out of necessity? Several.

I'd imagine he'll inch up a bit more now that they are in conference play, but it would be a mistake for this team for any of their guys going 35+ minutes in January and February.

16 hours ago, nikeman49 said:

Regardless of what Bradshaw does and how much he improves means nothing if Shep isn’t running the show both distributing to Reeves, Edward’s, Dill and scoring himself by hitting outside shots and ball handling late in games to get to the free throw line, this team must shoot well or they don’t have a chance and this guard oriented team must score at least 75% of the points. Shep deserves to start for this team and everyone knows this so Cal must make that move.

 

24 minutes ago, nikeman49 said:

Shep is getting 25 min per game and needs 35+, has to happen.

Sheppard got the start vs. UNCW and played 39 minutes, and ended up being the worse game UK played all year and lost. Sheppard had a great game, but him starting and playing 35 plus minutes has happened and they lost that game. 
 

Right now how they are using him is working best for this team, and he is also in during the crucial minutes of the game. 

29 minutes ago, nikeman49 said:

Shep is getting 25 min per game and needs 35+, has to happen.

26.2, actually.

Mitchell gets a lot of minutes by necessity and Reeves plays higher minutes with his experience. Beyond that, the rest of the backcourt seems to have a game-to-game feel, with Sheppard being the only person Calipari is not comfortable removing from the rotation if his game is not there.

4 hours ago, bugatti said:

26.2, actually.

Mitchell gets a lot of minutes by necessity and Reeves plays higher minutes with his experience. Beyond that, the rest of the backcourt seems to have a game-to-game feel, with Sheppard being the only person Calipari is not comfortable removing from the rotation if his game is not there.

Agree with all of this.