Reed Sheppard could break Kentucky's single-season steals record

After recording five thefts for the third time in four games, Kentucky freshman Reed Sheppard could very easily break the program’s single-season steals record — UK just has to, at the least, make a mini-run in March to help make it happen.

Sheppard finished with five steals in the Wildcats’ huge 70-59 win over No. 13 Auburn on Saturday night. His defense was a major reason why UK came away with the decisive victory. Every single one of his swipes ultimately resulted in points (10 total) for Kentucky on the following possession. In an 11-point win, that was the difference.

This marked the fourth time this season that Sheppard has finished with five steals and the seventh with at least four. Through 25 games played, only twice this season has the Bluegrass native failed to record at least one steal. He’s now up to 65 on the year for an average of 2.6 per game, which leads the Southeastern Conference. 65 puts him tied for 12th in school history already.

That’s still 22 behind Rajon Rondo‘s single-season record of 87, which he set back in 2004-05, but with six regular season games and at minimum two postseason games left on the schedule, there’s a very good chance Sheppard breaks that mark. Just counting the six regular season games to go, his current rate of 2.6 steals per game puts him on pace to finish with 80. That would solidify his spot in second place, just one steal ahead of Wayne Turner’s 79 in 1996-97.

If Kentucky can play at least three combined games in the SEC and NCAA Tournaments, Sheppard is statistically in line to tie Rondo’s 87. It took Rondo 34 games to reach his mark. Sheppard could do it around the same number of contests. If he can reach 35 games played, there’s a very good chance he will break the record.

In addition to his defense, Sheppard finished his night with just four points, his fewest since Jan. 23 against Arkansas. But again, his steals created key scoring opportunities for Kentucky on offense. He pulled down five rebounds and dished out three assists while turning the ball over only once in 30 minutes played. It was his third and final assist, looking back, that sealed the win for UK.

With 6:05 left in the game, Kentucky took control with a 16-point lead. Auburn managed to trim that advantage all the way down to eight with just a hair under three minutes to go. Kentucky was now in desperate need of a bucket. With Antonio Reeves flying around screens and drawing the eyes of the Auburn defense, Sheppard snuck in a beautiful pass to Adou Thiero for a wide-open dunk.

Beautiful set. Beautiful pass. Beautiful dunk. pic.twitter.com/eEWwbLGGkz

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 18, 2024

Ball game. A perfect play call and great awareness from everyone involved. Credit to Sheppard for doing the small things. It helped Kentucky pull off its biggest win of the season.