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Kentucky’s dominance in this series continued as they now lead 4-1, with a perfect 4-0 record at home against the Hurricanes. The Wildcats will wrap up their five-game homestand with a match against UNC Wilmington on Saturday at 4 p.m., televised on the SEC Network.

UK head coach John Calipari praised Sheppard for his hard work and dedication to improving his game. Calipari acknowledged that Sheppard was not always known for his shooting ability but has made significant strides by putting in the extra hours in the gym. Calipari drew comparisons to former Wildcat Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and other players who built their own confidence through hard work.

It was a high-scoring game for the Wildcats, as they tallied 118 points, the most in the John Calipari era. This surpasses the previous record of 115 points scored against Arizona State in 2016. It was also the second 100-point game of the season for Kentucky and the 21st century score of the Calipari era.

Leading the charge for Kentucky was D.J. Wagner, who notched an impressive 28 points. Antonio Reeves contributed 23 points for the Cats, while Tre Mitchell added 18. Rob Dillingham had a stellar night, connecting on seven of his eight shots to finish with 16 points. Reed Sheppard scored 12 points, Justin Edwards contributed 10, and all four players had double-digit points by halftime.

With a record of 4-1 this season, the only setback for Kentucky so far was a close loss to top-ranked Kansas in Chicago. One notable aspect of their game this season has been their proficiency in three-point shooting. In their last three games, the Wildcats have made double-digit threes. According to forward Justin Edwards, head coach John Calipari encourages the team to shoot open shots. Edwards stated, “He’s on us about shooting open shots and making them… He says if you’re open, shoot it or I’ll take you out.”

Coach Calipari highlighted the importance of making people feel special and creating hope through small gestures. He also discussed the upcoming schedule, emphasizing the need for rest and preparation.

In a thrilling overtime game, No. 16 Kentucky emerged victorious against Saint Joseph’s with a final score of 96-88. This win improves Kentucky’s record to 4-1 on the season, while Saint Joseph’s falls to 3-2. With this win, Kentucky now leads the series between the two teams with a 3-0 record.

The dynamic duo of Mitchell and D.J. Wagner were the driving forces for Kentucky, each contributing 22 points to the team’s triumph. Wagner also impressed with a season-high six assists, displaying his versatility on the court. Antonio Reeves also made a significant impact, contributing 20 points, while Rob Dillingham added 13 points to the tally. Justin Edwards rounded off the impressive offensive display, joining his teammates in double figures with 13 points, as well as contributing six assists and five rebounds.

The Wildcats enter this contest on a high note after a dominant performance against Stonehill, where they cruised to a 101-67 victory. A standout player for Kentucky in that game was freshman sensation Reed Sheppard. The London native was on fire, making nine out of ten shots from the field, including an impressive seven out of eight from beyond the arc. Sheppard finished the game with a game-high 25 points, along with seven assists, three steals, three rebounds, and two blocked shots.

LEXINGTON, KY – Coach John Calipari of the University of Kentucky held a press conference following their 81-61 victory over Texas A&M Commerce. Calipari expressed his satisfaction with the strong start from their opponents, acknowledging their ability to make three-point shots. However, he also highlighted the team’s defensive struggles. “We were getting beat on the dribble,” Calipari said, emphasizing the need for the guards to improve their defense.