4-Point Play: Can Kentucky keep the momentum rolling in 2024?

Things are working for the Kentucky Wildcats right now. Up to No. 6 in the latest AP Poll, John Calipari‘s group is now 10-2 on the year and making history on the offensive end of the floor. It’s the first time since 1995-96 the Cats have scored at least 81 points in 11 of their first 12 games.

That team finished the season holding up a national championship trophy. What will this group do? It’s now 2024 with the SEC schedule set to begin this weekend in Gainesville. We’re about to find out what they’re made of — and fast.

Let’s talk about it tonight in a New Year’s Day edition of 4-Point Play.

A different brand of Kentucky basketball

Illinois State coach Ryan Pedon was on Ohio State’s staff when the Buckeyes defeated the Wildcats 71-65 in the CBS Sports Classic in Las Vegas back in 2019. That group featuring the likes of Immanuel Quickley, Nick Richards, Tyrese Maxey and Ashton Hagans won the league by three games and was seen as a title contender by year’s end.

Pedon knew that team was talented, just as this one is. The difference? Style of play, something that stood out on film well before the Cats took down the Redbirds to close out 2023. It’s clear this group is committed to playing a certain way — and it’s working.

“I was very impressed with them on film coming in and was very impressed (seeing them play),” he said. “I have followed Kentucky for a long time. … We faced them a few years back when I was at Ohio State and their talent now is like it was then.

“There is a different brand of basketball and a different commitment with this team. I think there is a very big difference to me and that shows up in their selfless play. They are really hard to guard already, but now they are really hard to guard and are selfless. They are tremendous in transition, and they expose areas of weakness for anybody with the way they are playing right now.”

That led to a 96-70 victory over Illinois State on Dec. 29. It’s going to lead to similar wins in 2024 as conference play ramps up.

Reed Sheppard is a lottery pick

No, your eyes aren’t lying to you. The analytics continue to back up what we’re all seeing: Laurel County’s finest is a one-and-done talent. And he just might be a lottery-level talent.

Don’t believe me? Look no further than his box plus/minus through 12 games and the historical context behind it. Sheppard is No. 3 among freshmen dating back to 2008 when the stat was first tracked.

The only players above him with a minimum of 12 games? Zion Williamson (18.7) and Anthony Davis (16.7). That’s the entire list.

Reed Sheppard is very good. It’s time to stop overthinking just how good he is. pic.twitter.com/c3ZIL1TBbQ

— NBA Draft Dude 🤙 (@CoreyTulaba) January 1, 2024

What does that mean? Well, every player in the top 15 of that list was selected in the top six of the NBA Draft the following year, all one-and-dones.

Enjoy him while you can, folks.

Coach Cal knows his ABCs: Always Be ‘Crootin

In a recent check-in with ’24 five-star signee Jayden Quaintance, John Calipari proved why he’s so lethal on the recruiting trail, arguably the most dominant in the history of college basketball. The top-five prospect is the prize of Kentucky’s upcoming class, a player Coach Cal has called a “prodigy.” Too young for the 2025 NBA Draft, he also has to stay in Lexington for two full seasons due to age restrictions. It’s one of his biggest gets in recent memory.

But Calipari isn’t just making Quaintance feel good about choosing the Cats, he’s showing love to everyone around the 6-10 forward. Just look at this photo posted by his father, Haminn Quaintance, on his Instagram Story.

Coach Cal has the future Wildcat’s little brother on his lap while he talks to Dad, like two old friends catching up or ‘Uncle Cal’ catching up with his nephew for the first time in a minute.

“Big dog recruiting him early,” Quaintance captioned the photo.

Calipari has done this a time or two, huh?

Darryn Peterson vs. Jasper Johnson in Versailles

Kentucky has its 2024 recruiting class just about locked up with Quaintance, Boogie Fland, Billy Richmond, Somto Cyril and Travis Perry making up the five-man group ranked No. 2 nationally. Coach Cal continues to swing for the fences to close it out — looking at you, VJ Edgecombe — but he’s also “feeling really, really good about” some of his top targets in 2025.

Two of them will be taking the floor in Versailles this weekend in Darryn Peterson and Jasper Johnson.

In a matchup honoring the legacy of KHSAA Hall of Famer Alvis Johnson, father of former Kentucky players Dennis and Derrick Johnson, Link Academy will take on Huntington Prep at Woodford County High School on Sunday, Jan. 7 at 6 p.m. ET.

Johnson, Dennis’ son and Alvis’ grandson, is a star at Link alongside ’24 five-star Tre Johnson and four-star Labaron Philon. Receiving an offer from the Cats last May, he’s ranked No. 12 overall and No. 1 among combo guards in the junior class. As for Peterson, he’s ranked No. 3 overall and No. 1 among shooting guards as the star of the show for Huntington Prep. He picked up his offer back in August 2022 to become the first sophomore to ever receive a scholarship from Coach Cal at Kentucky.

Oh, and a reclassification to ’24 hasn’t been ruled out for either.

Tates Creek will take on Woodford County to open the event at 3:30 p.m. ET, followed by Link Academy vs. Huntington Prep to close things out at 6 p.m. — a must-watch for Kentucky fans in the area this weekend. Purchase your tickets here.