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Dichotomy between stars sparked Oakland's upset of Kentucky
Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Dichotomy between Reed Sheppard and Jack Gohike sparked Oakland's upset of Kentucky

Going into third-seeded Kentucky's first-round NCAA Tournament matchup with 14th-seeded Oakland University of Rochester Michigan, it was assumed that Wildcats freshman Reed Sheppard was going to make a ton of big shots.

After all, Sheppard was the National Freshman of the Year in college basketball and shooting well over 50% from behind the three-point line coming into March Madness.

He was supposed to be the key to unlocking a deep run for Kentucky – something coach John Calipari hasn't had in years. Instead, Sheppard looked out of sorts all game in the 80-76 upset loss to the Golden Grizzlies. He barely took a shot in the first half and his first points of the game with 6:12 remaining in regulation.

Sheppard shot just 1-of-5 from the field and finished the game with just three points. He had almost as many turnovers as points with two.

Meanwhile, Oakland senior Jack Gohlke, who was new to Oakland this season after playing at Hillsdale College (Division II) for the past few seasons, looked like prime Steph Curry.

Gohlke made seven first-half three-pointers to give the Golden Grizzlies the lead heading into the locker room. He didn't stop his barrage in the second half, finishing with 10 threes made overall and 32 total points off the bench.

He was phenomenal. He was the epitome of March Madness.

Sheppard and Kentucky. Gohlke and Oakland.

One pairing came into this contest with all the expectations in the world and left with bitter disappointment

The other? They were just trying to make a name for themselves and they did.

Gohlke and Oakland will officially leave the first round for the first time in program history as a Cinderella.

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