Shepherd’s rise reason for optimism
FORT WORTH, TEXAS — Jordan Shepherd didn’t think he’s been making a significant contribution for Oklahoma this season.
“Definitely,” the freshman said when asked if he was surprised that he’s become a starter so soon. “I didn’t see this coming until probably next year.”
Shepherd is expected to make his fourth consecutive start at point guard Tuesday when the Sooners travel to face TCU (8 p.m., ESPNU). Shepherd didn’t even expect to be in Norman a few months ago.
The Asheville, N.C., product committed to James Madison almost a year ago and planned to stay on the coast.
But when James Madison coach Matt Brady left after last season, Shepherd had to find a new home.
Shepherd had plenty of interest from schools such as Duquesne and Appalachian State when
he reopened his recruitment.
He didn’t think he’d wind up in the Big 12.
When Shepherd first got the call from Sooner coaches, he thought the call was coming from one of the directional schools in the state.
“I was very surprised,” Shepherd said. “I got the call, and I thought it was going to be Oklahoma something else. I didn’t think it was going to be the Sooners.”
The recruitment came together quickly as he signed shortly after taking a visit.
He quickly noticed a difference between the schools he had been considering and OU.
“It’s a different level — the facilities, the weight room, everything,” Shepherd said.
It’s worked out well for both sides, with Shepherd’s performances being one of the few bright spots in what has so far been a struggle of a season for the Sooners.
Shepherd moved into the starting lineup Dec. 17 against Memphis, when Sooners coach Lon Kruger decided to move senior guard Jordan Woodard off the point.
The plan was to free up Woodard to find open shots as Shepherd was more of a traditional point guard.
That hasn’t worked as planned to this point. Woodard missed the Dec. 21 game against Auburn with a groin injury and then missed the Big 12 opener against Baylor due to an undisclosed medical issue. Woodard, the Sooners leading scorer, is expected to miss Tuesday’s game.
In his first two games in the starting lineup, Shepherd combined for 31 points and five assists with three turnovers — including an 18-point, no turnover effort in the loss to Memphis.
“Really done a nice job,” Kruger said. “Really encouraged by what he’s done. He gives us a good base offensively, getting us into stuff. He’s appropriately aggressive to score. He’s done a nice job there.”
Shepherd drew rave reviews from Sooners coaches and teammates during the offseason for the time he spent in the gym after his arrival. But it’s more than hard work that’s helped him crack the lineup this quickly.
“My pace as a point guard,” Shepherd said of what’s helped him break through. “I have a good pace to be able to make good decisions.
“I think I was definitely ready, and I came out ready for the rest of the season, too.”
Shepherd did struggle against Baylor, with 2 points, 2 assists and 4 turnovers.
But Kruger expects more positives than negatives moving forward.
“He’s got a real good feel for it,” Kruger said. “He’s got a real good sense for what’s going on around him — good instincts. I think as his confidence has gotten in rhythm, he’s had good moments earlier in games and now he’s jumped in there. He really played those minutes well.
“He’s taken a hold of it.”