Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham were ranked as two of the top ten freshmen in college basketball by CBS Sports

Kentucky is ranked as the sixth-best team in college basketball, and a lot of that is thanks to the talented freshmen on this 2023-24 roster. 

Five true freshmen play substantial minutes for the Cats, but the two stars of the show have been Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham. 

On the season, Dillingham averages 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game for the Cats, while Sheppard averages 12.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.8 steals, 0.9 blocks so far on the year. 

These numbers have earned Dillingham and Sheppard some praise in the national media, as CBS Sports had both of them in their Top Ten True Freshman season-long rankings. 

They had Sheppard first in these rankings, with Dillingham right on his tail on the list at fourth. 

It is crazy to think that these two are arguably Kentucky's most impactful players up there with Antonio Reeves, and they come off the bench for John Calipari's squad. 

If the Kentucky Wildcats are able to make a deep run in March, there is no doubt in my mind that Dillingham and Sheppard will both be a big reason why. 

Takeaways and watch articles from the 96-70 win over Illinois State

WATCH: DJ Wagner makes a shifty move to get to the rim against Illinois State

WATCH: Reed Sheppard keeps draining threes against Illinois State

Takeaways: Antonio Reeves lights it up against Illinois State leading Kentucky to the 96-70 win

Follow Wildcats Today on Socials!

Like Wildcats Today on Facebook!

Follow Wildcats Today on Twitter!

Subscribe to Locked On Kentucky on YouTube!