Takeaways: A 25-point game from Reed Sheppard leads Kentucky past Stonehill

Kentucky blows out Stonehill 101-67 behind a big game from Reed Sheppard.

Author:
Andrew Stefaniak
Updated:
Nov 17, 2023 10:31 PM EST
Original:
Nov 17, 2023

In this story:

The Kentucky Wildcats were able to take down the Stonehill Skyhawks 101-67 behind an offensive explosion from the Cats.

Offensively, this was the best game of the season from the Cats, where we learned Kentucky truly can shoot the ball extremely well.

What can we take away from Kentucky's 101-67 win over the Stonehill Skyhawks?

Reed Sheppard was incredible

Oct 27, 2023; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Reed Sheppard (15) walks off the court after the game against the Georgetown Tigers at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports — © Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Reed Sheppard had an incredible game for the Cats, scoring 25 points while going 9-10 from the field and 7-8 from three. Sheppard also added seven assists, three rebounds, two blocks, and three steals. Sheppard is going to have many games where he puts up big numbers just like this in the blue and white. No one plays harder than the freshman in state guard, but it shows up in the stat sheet as Sheppard had three steals and two blocks. Sheppard could be playing himself into a first-round NBA Draft pick.

The Cats can shoot

Oct 27, 2023; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Rob Dillingham (0) fives forward Tre Mitchell (4) during the first half against the Georgetown Tigers at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports — © Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky just made the most threes of the John Calipari era with 17 makes from beyond the arc. Five different Wildcats made a three-pointer in this ball game, with Sheppard leading the way with seven. Kentucky will beat anyone in college basketball if they shoot like this. A John Calipari coached basketball team that can drain the ball from deep is a terrifying sight for the college basketball world.

Kentucky played two great halves

Oct 27, 2023; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Tre Mitchell (4) runs down the court during the first half against the Georgetown Tigers at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports — © Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

In most of Kentucky's games this season, they have played good in one half and not so great in the other. That was not the case in this ball game, as the Cats shot 66.7% from the field in the first half and 60.7% in the second half. If the Cats are a complete team in both halves of games this season, they will not get beat very often. It's great to see the Cats play a complete game, which will be important when a veteran led Saint Joe's team comes into Rupp Arena on Monday.