Reed Sheppard and Thierro get minutes

[UKWildcats1987]

The highlight video and his posted stats don't tell the whole story.
He's actually better known for his defense. Had a defensive box plus/minus of 4.0. By comparison, Wallace's was 4.2, and nobody else in our main rotation was above 2.3. His defensive rating was 95.4 - better than any of the main rotation guys except Oscar at 94.9. A/T ratio was also very good: 2.45.

I'm fine with him as a bench guy that can shoot decent and play solid defense.

 

[Smashcat]

Reed may end up being better than Dillingham and Wagner. He looks to be a better shooter already. They are all freshman so it's yet to be determined who's the better player.

Sheppard is much better than most realize. All-time state leader in steals. He does it all.

 

[GoNoles111]

Not far off. Look at 247 sports ranking, best in the business.

So he's top 75 and top 45 composite..you think UK is too good for that nowadays? LOL

 

[maysvilleky]

Reed may end up being better than Dillingham and Wagner. He looks to be a better shooter already. They are all freshman so it's yet to be determined who's the better player.

I’ve watched Reed in HS. IMO he’s similar to Frederick. I question his ability to guard SEC athletes. FYI… his steals came from off the ball not on ball pressure. I also know in HS he had the ball a lot. Don’t know if he can be as effective with someone else running the show.

I do believe he will work hard and give you everything he has. And he has a high BB IQ.

IMO we won’t know until late SO year or JR year, how good he can be.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

I honestly feel like if Reed would get the same leash as Dillingham, DJ and others he would out preform at least half. I've watched them all play and he's very cerebral unselfish and has a great shot. He deserves 18 mins or so a game with what we have.

 

[maysvilleky]

I honestly feel like if Reed would get the same leash as Dillingham, DJ and others he would out preform at least half. I've watched them all play and he's very cerebral unselfish and has a great shot. He deserves 18 mins or so a game with what we have.

Ride…what’s your feel on Reed’s defensive ability?

 

[ck-2]

Basketball IQ has been MIA for several years on KY’s roster. Would be nice to see some guys who have it.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

Ride…what’s your feel on Reed’s defensive ability?

I think he's solid but I don't know at the college level how it will translate. If he will have the speed to defend 1 and 2 college players. I hope so.

He's scrappy and I think he is really athletic and his hustle should help too. I can see him being a solid defender.

 

[AzubuikeandFitch]

If we get the three Frsshmen we are after right now, I see the minutes looking something like this:

G Dillingham(30)/Wagner(10)
G Wagner(20)/Sheppard(15)/Hart(5)
G Edwards(30)/Thiero(5)/Burks(5)
F Bradshaw(30)/Thiero(10)
F Cyril(25)/Onyenso(15)

Sheppard and Thiero will both get around 15-20 minutes each, most likely. I expect by the end of the season Burks and Hart will be out of the rotation and Sheppard, Thiero, and Onyenso will be the bench players in an 8-man rotation. Cyril and Onyenso may also get closer to a 50/50 split, but I think Cyril has the more college ready physique, so I am leaning toward him starting and getting slightly more minutes.

I'd flip flop Onyenso and Cyril. Somto is extremely raw and limited on the offensive end. He'll provide needed mins for defense and rebounding but struggle within the half court. Needs to improve passing and ball security.

 

[WallMashKyBall]

My crystal ball says reed gets 18 minutes a game, I still think thero gets 12 or less. I'll wait to be convinced otherwise, but I still feel he's a player who struggles to make any kind of stat impact, ppg, assists, rebounds. some players just have a nack for making stat impact, he not one of those.