John Calipari wants more from Reed Sheppard in late-game situations

Before I type this, let me first acknowledge how weird it is to type this. Reed Sheppard has been one of the best freshmen in all of college basketball this year. He’s done a little bit of everything for the Cats, including burying a game-winner with less than a second on the clock at Mississippi State. And yet, if there’s one thing John Calipari needs him to improve, it’s Sheppard’s play at the end of games.

It seems contradictory. If Kentucky is trailing late in a game this month, there’s probably no one you would trust more with the ball in their hands than Reed Sheppard. He was a one-man wrecking crew in Starkville. Surely, he’s capable of replicating that kind of performance again.

John Calipari trusts Sheppard to physically make the plays. He knows the Kentucky kid is capable of the incredible. What the Kentucky coach wants Sheppard to do is make better decisions during crucial pieces of situational basketball.

“Great teammate, terrific player, unbelievable feel and reactions,” Calipari said after the victory over Vanderbilt. “Except 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.”

During the final five minutes of last night’s game, Sheppard threw the ball away for an easy breakaway Vanderbilt bucket. Reed even fouled the shooter to give the Commodores an “and one” and cut the deficit to 14.

At times, Cal is harsher on Sheppard than the rest of his players. He’s nitpicky because Sheppard is so coachable. He can take his medicine without grimacing.

“He will be better,” Calipari said. “I just said to him — I didn’t raise my voice — I said you are better than what you are playing at the end of games. You are turning it over and leaving 3-point shooters and you are doing stuff. You are too good, you are too good of a player.

“I’m saying this, I love coaching him because he’s an unbelievable teammate. The guys know they can count on him.”

Reed Sheppard Relshes Moments at Rupp Arena

Sheppard’s future in a Kentucky uniform will be discussed at length over the next few months. One thing is certain: his freshman campaign has concluded. When asked for his favorite moment during his first season at Rupp Arena, he couldn’t pick one.

“It’s all been unbelievable. The fans have been crazy. They’ve been really, really supportive this year for the whole team. They’ve been here for every game, really been loud and it’s been an unbelievable atmosphere every time we come out and play here.” Sheppard added, “It’s been unbelievable, every moment.”

Reed has never been shy about his love for Kentucky basketball. The son of two former Kentucky stars, he’s grown up wanting to play in front of 20,000 rabid fans. Even though he was keenly aware of the gravity of the situation, nothing can replicate that feeling until you experience it firsthand. He’s soaking up every second of it.

“It’s completely different from sitting in the stands, yelling as a little kid to being out there playing and hearing the fans yell. It’s really cool. It’s always been a dream of mine to play at Rupp Arena and play for Kentucky. So being able to do that, it was really cool and it’s been really special.”

Subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel for press conferences, interviews, original shows, fan features, and exclusive content.