"They play older than they are." DJ Wagner, Reed Sheppard sure don't look like freshmen

When it comes to preparing some of his star freshmen for the bright lights, John Calipari hasn’t had to do much. For DJ Wagner and Reed Sheppard in particular, the sons of successful former college basketball players, they haven’t been fazed by the big stages Kentucky has played on this season.

“I haven’t coached them (for the big stage), that’s who they are,” Calipari said of the two rookie guards following UK’s 95-76 win over Louisville on Thursday.

Wagner and Sheppard have been two of Kentucky’s most critical pieces throughout non-conference play. They both average double-figures in scoring and see the same amount of playing time per game — 26.5 minutes. The duo has combined for 83 assists and just 31 turnovers. Wagner has picked it up recently following a slow start to his college career while Sheppard has been one of the most consistent and efficient freshmen in the entire country.

“I think they’ve been terrific,” Calipari said of Wagner and Sheppard. “I think they both have a will to win. I think they both have some dog in them. I know DJ does. I mean, the game he didn’t play, we lost. That tells you something. He wills you to win. His dad was the same way, and I imagine his grandfather was the same way. It’s in his DNA.

“Reed, just whatever you ask him to do, he just plays basketball. He doesn’t care who scores, what it is, if I have to get a basket I will. He made a 3 and made two or three free throws. I mean those were big.”

Wagner and Sheppard certainly aren’t perfect basketball players and still make their fair share of “freshmen” mistakes, but the good with both of them far outweighs the bad — on and off the floor. Calipari referred to Wagner as the team’s vocal leader earlier this season. Sheppard went from being only known in Kentucky a few months ago to a potential NBA lottery pick this June.

They’ve only played 10 games in college so far, but they certainly don’t look like it.

“I seen leadership. They’re freshmen, but they play older than they are,” Fifth-year guard Antonio Reeves said. “They focus to whatever we’re doing in practice, listening to coaches, listening to older guys, things like that. They continue to figure it out and grow as freshmen.”