The Kentucky Wildcats found a way to win on the road against Mississippi State, while Reed Sheppard has continued to prove he’s among the best players in the class of 2023.
Sheppard has had a tremendous season, but he took it to another level as the No. 17 Cats spoiled the Bulldogs’ evening. Kentucky allowed 43 in the first half to Mississippi State, but they scored 56.
Who scored most of that?
None other than Sheppard, who totaled 32 points on just 14 field goals. 23 of those points came in the second half.
The Bluegrass kid also made a bit of history, a common occurrence in what will likely be his only season in Lexington. He scored the most points ever by a Kentucky native in his freshman season, a record previously held by Jack ‘Goose’ Givens and Rex Chapman.
.@reed_sheppard is the only Division I men’s basketball player since 2010-2011 to come off the bench and have at least 32 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals in a single game
— Corey Price (@coreyp08) February 28, 2024
With reliable box scores with individual game assists dating back to the 1971-1972 season, @reed_sheppard is the first @KentuckyMBB player to have at least 32 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds in a true road game
— Corey Price (@coreyp08) February 28, 2024
Sheppard also became the first Kentucky player in the last 25 seasons to have 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists. He’s also the first to have 30 points, five boards, and five dimes since Derek Anderson in 1996.
Via @ESPNStatsInfo: Reed Sheppard is the first Kentucky player in the last 25 seasons to record multiple games with 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and the first Kentucky player with 30 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in a game since Derek Anderson in November 1996. https://t.co/SCnSgNMo9L
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) February 28, 2024
Sheppard had the best game of his young career, and with that play, he was awarded a shoutout from coaching icon Rick Pitino.
Awesome parents n what a player . Reed Sheppard u are SPECIAL !!!
— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) February 28, 2024
Sheppard was also 6/6 from the free-throw line, which ended up playing a huge role in the game, as five of them came down the stretch.
Oh, did we mention he had the game-winning shot as well after the Bulldogs tied it up with a deep 3?
Here’s the Tom Leach/Jack Givens radio call of that beautiful moment.
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