Reed Sheppard drains back-to-back three-pointers to help send Kentucky past Tennessee

Although Kentucky had the momentum, it looked like Tennessee was trying to find a way to make things interesting late in Saturday’s game. The Volunteers started to get on a run, but Reed Sheppard – as he has all year – rose to the occasion.

Sheppard nailed three-pointers on back-to-back possessions to answer Tennessee’s punches back and help send Kentucky to the 85-81 victory over the Volunteers. He had a huge game, totaling 27 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including an impressive 7-for-10 showing from three-point distance. In fact, at one point in the second half, Sheppard made six consecutive threes.

Outside of Dalton Knecht, Tennessee had a hard time scoring. However, the Vols still managed to get back within single digits before Sheppard silenced the crowd and, more importantly, kept Kentucky out in front by 11 points at the time.

"REED SHEPPARD ICE IN HIS VEINS!" @KentuckyMBB pic.twitter.com/3qiit3hBua

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 9, 2024

Sheppard is in the midst of a huge year for Kentucky, leading the team with a 51.7% three-point percentage while adding a team-high 4.3 assists in addition to his 12.4 points on average entering Saturday’s matchup. In addition to his 27 points, he added five rebounds and five assists against Tennessee.

Despite his impressive numbers, though, John Calipari said there’s one area he wants to see Sheppard improve: late-game situations.

“We’ve got to get Reed (better) at late game stuff. How about the pass he threw to Antonio (Reeves)? Why would you do that? We can’t do those kind of things late,” Calipari said, referencing his turnover last week against Mississippi State that led to two free throws for the Bulldogs late in the game. “You’ve got to recognize with three, four minutes to go it’s not early in the second half where you can go try some stuff.”

Late-game issues came up again for Kentucky on Saturday. The Wildcats nearly saw their lead evaporate before they held on for the 85-81 victory. Some late turnovers – coupled with DJ Wagner’s fifth foul – helped give Tennessee a chance to come all the way back.

But UK held strong, eventually getting a key free throw from Rob Dillingham to go up two possessions with five seconds left to all but seal it. The Wildcats finish the regular season with a 23-8 overall record and a 13-5 mark in SEC play entering next week’s conference tournament.

As they head to Nashville, the hype train is rolling along, with Reed Sheppard at the forefront of the conversation.

Alex Weber contributed to this report.