Ohio State keeps rolling, knocks off Kentucky Wildcats 71-65

Ohio State has taken down another blue-blood, taking control in the second half to beat the Kentucky Wildcats.

Many laughed at some of the very early predictions elevating Ohio State to a top ten squad this year. Many argued common sense knocked the door back down when the Buckeyes were readjusted to a fringe top twenty team just before the season began.

It now seems as though the earlier projections were spot on. That’s because Ohio State just beat another top ten opponent, this time the Kentucky Wildcats 71-65. It did it by making timely plays in the second half, to remain in the lead, then salting it away at with defense and at the free-throw line.

It didn’t always look that way in the first half though. Ohio State struggled taking care of the ball — giving it away nine times. But it buckled down in the second twenty minutes, turning it over just five times.

The extra possessions and good defense helped extend the lead and put Ohio State in relative control throughout.

Freshman point guard D.J. Carton led Ohio State in scoring with 13 points, getting many of his buckets in crunch time. Kaleb Wesson and Kyle Young also finished in double figures with 12 and 10.

With the win, the Buckeye resume continues to get more and more impressive. It has now beaten teams that have won four of the last eight national champions with not even half the season gone.

The Buckeyes now get a bit of a break before taking on another solid opponent on 12/29 when it travels to Cleveland to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers.

 

WATCH: Andre Wesson goes up the elevator to block Kentucky breakout

Andre Wesson had a block for the ages you have to watch when he came from behind, climbed the elevator and blocked a Kentucky breakaway.

Ohio State is in a tight one against the Kentucky Wildcats and a play here or there is likely to make the difference in winning and losing. One of those plays might have just happened midway through the second half.

While trying to grab a little momentum in a fast-paced game, Duane Washington, Jr. missed a three-pointer that resulted in a long rebound to ignite a fast break by Kentucky’s Ashton Hagans.

It looked like an easy two, but Ohio State forward Andre Wesson channeled his inner LeBron James to come from behind and pin the ball high up on the glass for a block and keep Kentucky from a big, momentum-changing play.

Click on the below thanks to Fox College Hoops, watch, and feel like you’re soaring with Wesson.

Ohio State uses rebounding, free throws to lead by one over Kentucky at halftime

The Ohio State basketball team took a one point lead into halftime over Kentucky. It won the battle of free throw points and rebounds.

It’s been a fun game to watch so far, but it’s been far from clean game. Ohio State and Kentucky got up and down the court and are both shooting 50 percent or better from the floor, but there’s also some sloppiness on both sides in the second game of the CBS Sports Classsic.

The turnover bug continues to make its way into a talented Buckeye squad, and has kept this game as tight as it is. Ohio State has nine turnovers in the first half that’s led to numerous scoring opportunities for the Wildcats.

For Kentucky, it has been lazy with defense — committing thirteen fouls and sending OSU to the free throw line twelve times. Ohio State has converted on ten of those for a big advantage.

The Buckeyes also lead in rebounds 17-11 to control the glass and cancel out somewhat the charitable work with ball security.

Kyle Young led all Buckeye scorers in the first half with ten points to make up for a Wildcat game plan that seems to be centered around stopping Kaleb Wesson in the post.

It’s all resulted in the Buckeyes leading the Wildcats by a razor thin 37-36 margin. This game will probably be won by whichever team can limit it’s biggest issue in the first half. It all depends on whether Ohio State can take care of the ball, or if Kentucky can quit sending the Buckeyes to the foul line.

Saddle up for what should be a fun second half.

Ohio State vs. Kentucky odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Kentucky Wildcats sports betting odds and lines, with NCAA basketball betting picks, tips and bets.

The Ohio State Buckeyes (10-1, 1-1 Big Ten) and Kentucky Wildcats (8-2, 0-0 SEC) tangle in the CBS Sports Classic Game at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas at 5:15 p.m. ET. We analyze the Ohio State-Kentucky odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice on this matchup.

The Buckeyes are ranked fourth in the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll. The Wildcats are No. 6.

Ohio State vs. Kentucky: Three things you need to know

1. Ohio State G Duane Washington Jr. (ribs), who averages 11.4 points and 1.8 assists, is questionable to play. He has missed the past two games.

2. Kentucky ranks a dismal 117th with 75.4 points per game, and an even worse 334th in 3-pointer percentage at just 27.5%. Defensively the Wildcats are 26th in the nation, allowing just 60.2 PPG.

3. These teams last met Dec. 19, 2015 with the Buckeyes coming away with a 74-67 victory.


Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!


Ohio State vs. Kentucky: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:15 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Kentucky 72, Ohio State 67

Moneyline (ML)

There were no moneyline odds available at the time of publishing.

Against the Spread (ATS)

KENTUCKY (+3.5, -110) heads into this one with just two covers across its past eight games overall. However, the ‘Cats are 4-1 ATS in the past five as an underdog and 13-2-2 ATS in the past 17 neutral-site games as a ‘dog. In addition, they’re 23-11-2 ATS in the past 36 on a neutral court. Ohio State (-3.5, -110) is impressive at 8-1 ATS in the past nine games overall, but Kentucky gets it done here.

New to sports betting? Every $1.10 wagered on Kentucky will proft $1 if the Wildcats win outright or don’t lose by 4 points or more.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 131.5 (-110) is the play here, going 7-2 in Ohio State’s past nine neutral-site battles. The Over is also 5-1 in Kentucky’s past six games following a straight-up loss. Look for the Wildcats to bounce back with a solid offensively showing after falling to the Utah Utes 69-66 on this same Las Vegas court Wednesday.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Ohio State vs. Kentucky 2019 basketball game preview and prediction

Ohio State heads out to the desert to take on another blue blood of the sport Saturday. Check out our preview and prediction.

Aside from one blip so far, the Ohio State basketball team has gotten off to a fantastic start. There are wins against Cincinnati and Villanova at home, and a blowout win over North Carolina at the Dean Dome. The lone blemish is the loss on the road in The Barn at Minnesota.

Now the Buckeyes are headed out to the desert to take on an athletic and talented Kentucky Squad. The Wildcats have looked inconsistent at times this year, but there’s no doubt they have the horses per usual to beat anyone in the country.

Ohio State has put together quite the resume early on here in the 2019-2020 season, and a neutral court win over SEC and national power Kentucky would only bolster the belief that this team can do damage both during the regular season and beyond.

We’are about to roll the dice in Las Vegas.

Records

Ohio State 10-1,  Kentucky 8-2

All-time series record

11-9 Kentucky leads

Last meeting

Ohio State won 74-67 in 2015

Broadcast, TV, Game Time

Date: Saturday, December 21
Game Time: 5:15 PM
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Network: CBS

Next … The Ohio State Game Plan