12th-ranked Kentucky is set to face off against UNC-Wilmington at Rupp Arena this Saturday at 4 p.m. ET. Following their victory against No. 8 Miami on Tuesday night, the Wildcats are riding high and looking to carry their momentum into this match-up.
One of the standout performances from the Miami game came from Reed Sheppard, a Kentucky native. Coming off the bench, Sheppard put up an impressive 21 points and also made his presence felt with five rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a blocked shot. His performance on Tuesday undoubtedly boosted the team’s morale.
Rob Dillingham, Sheppard’s backcourt companion, faced some foul trouble but still managed to contribute with 12 points and a career-high nine assists. Despite the challenges faced in the previous game, Dillingham remains focused on the task at hand. Being a North Carolina native, he recognizes some of the players on the UNC-Wilmington team and emphasizes the importance of not underestimating their opponents.
“UNC-Wilmington has a bunch of guys that are from North Carolina, so I grew up playing with a bunch of those guys. They move the ball a lot. They’ve got a bunch of players that can score the ball. They’re a good team. We’re not going to take them for granted at all,” said Dillingham.
Although Kentucky has had a solid start to the season with a 6-1 record, there are still areas the team aims to improve upon. Dillingham acknowledges that discipline, defense, and sticking to the game plan are areas in which they can grow.
“Definitely just discipline and defense and knowing our assignments and sticking to the game plan. Sometimes when we get tired, we don’t stick to the game plan,” Dillingham stated.
When asked about his thoughts on the team’s performance thus far, Dillingham expressed pride rather than surprise, highlighting their hard work and dedication.
“I feel like we’re more proud. It’s not a surprise because we practice for this. We’re just happy and thankful. It’s going good so far,” he affirmed.
As the Wildcats prepare to face UNC-Wilmington, they hope to build upon their early-season success and continue their winning streak.
