SAN ANTONIO - Last season, Jeff Sheppard was the first player each day at Kentucky's basketball practice, and the one still shooting jumpers when the lights were turned off.
There was no need, since he was redshirting his senior season. But his focus was on a championship chase 12 months in his future. ''Allen (Edwards) and I put a lot of time in at the gym,'' he said. ''We even met every night last summer to get in extra work. But that's just 'cause we like to play basketball.''
Saturday night, the quiet fifth-year senior guard drew every media microphone in the Alamodome. His career-high 27 points, including three late three-pointers, helped UK oust Stanford 86-85 in overtime and advance to the championship game.
''He deserves that,'' fellow senior guard Cameron Mills said, nodding toward the media mob. ''He's been here five years and epitomized what hard work and unselfishness are all about.''
Saturday, UK needed him to be selfish. Sheppard had the hot hand, and the Wildcats needed a savior.
''We weren't shooting that effectively, and Jeff took it upon himself to keep us in the game,'' coach Tubby Smith said.
After shooting 4-for-10 in the first half, Sheppard made his final five shots. He had three of his team-high four assists after halftime as well.
Sheppard scored 12 of UK's final 20 points. All three of his three-pointers in that span came after time-outs, and Smith wasn't afraid to admit they were set plays.
''We see a guy with a hot hand, and we've got to go to him,'' he said. ''I thought our post players did a much better job in the second half with screening.''
The first bomb came with UK down 68-66 with 2:54 left in regulation. Sheppard curled off two screens and shot from the top of the key. With 1:11 left, he scored off the same play, from the same spot, and that 6-0 run gave UK a 72-68 lead.
''When you come off a screen, the first thing you have to do is shoot the ball,'' he said. ''It's just reaction, habit. You've done that move 1,000 times in practice.''
He would do it once more, extending a 79-78 lead to 82-78 with 1:25 left in overtime. His free throw with 15.4 seconds left made the lead 86-82.
''A game like tonight is the reason he redshirted,'' junior forward Scott Padgett said. ''He showed the whole world what he can do.''
Former coach Rick Pitino asked Sheppard to redshirt last season to help balance the classes. With stars such as Derek Anderson and Ron Mercer, Sheppard wasn't expected to play a big part, and could be ''saved'' for this season.
It has worked out perfectly.
''I'm glad I redshirted,'' Sheppard said. ''I had two (NBA) lottery picks (Anderson and Mercer) in front of me, and that was not a hard decision to sit out.
''I learned a lot last year and had a great time. And this year has been awesome.''
He leads UK in scoring (14.0 ppg) and has earned honorable mention All-America honors.
''It tells you a lot about the young man's character and values to sit out last year, and come back and play this well,'' Smith said. ''We owe him, big-time.''
Today's NCAA coverage
Utah-Kentucky unlikely final
Kentucky 86, Stanford 85
All Stanford was missing was Sheppard Paul Daugherty column
Sheppard saves day for UK
Turner happy to get the win
UK victory thrills fans
UK Notes
Utah 65, North Carolina 59
Miller stops Heels in tracks
Final Four jinx gets Williams
Utah/UNC Notes
NCAA coverage from Associated Press
