Tag: Kentucky basketball

WATCH: Ohio State basketball head coach Chris Holtmann previews Kentucky

Ohio State head basketball coach Chris Holtmann met with the local media in Columbus to preview the challenge of facing Kentucky.

It’s time for the next big challenge for the Ohio State basketball team. Already this year it has taken down Villanova and Cincinnati at home, and blew the doors off North Carolina in the Dean Dome.

Now, it travels to Las Vegas to roll the dice and try to knock off an athletically gifted — albeit inconsistent — Kentucky team.

Holtmann knows the challenge ahead will be a great one, with so much athleticism, length, and quickness Ohio State will have to contend with on both sides of the ball.

He met with the media this week to discuss the matchup, and in case you missed it, we’ve got it for you thanks the fine folks at Ohio State. You can visit the presser by clicking on the below tweet shared by the official Twitter feed of the Ohio State Buckeyes and give it a listen.

Holtmann talks about his squad, the challenge Kentucky faces, compliments head coach John Calipari, and more.

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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

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

John Calipari Takes in Notre Dame/Detroit Mercy

I see Calipari at Notre Dame and immediately have flashbacks to the close-call that was the 2015 Midwest Regional

There was an all-time college sports heel in attendance last night when Notre Dame’s basketball team got back in the win column after beating Detroit Mercy, 110-71.

Kentucky head basketball coach John Calipari and his wife made the trip north from Lexington to take in the game, specifically to see their son Brad play and score 12 points for Mercy.

Calipari and Digger Phelps – I can only imagine those conversations.

I see Calipari at Notre Dame and immediately have flashbacks to the close-call that was the 2015 Midwest Regional final that the Irish lost in the closing seconds despite leading most the night and were that-close to ruining Kentucky’s perfect season.

Instead Wisconsin did so in the Final Four a round later.

Whatever the case at least Notre Dame handled business in a game against an inferior opponent. Hopefully last night breathes some air back into the lungs of a team that has looked largely dead the last week as a good showing against UCLA Saturday would be welcome.

The Isaiah Jackson Blog: This is why I chose Kentucky…

Kentucky’s newest commit Isaiah Jackson did an exclusive blog with USA Today Sports breaking down why he chose the Wildcats.

Waterford Mott (Waterford Township, Michigan) forward Isaiah Jackson is ranked No. 22 overall in USA Today Sports’ Chosen 25 for 2020 and just committed to Kentucky. He did an exclusive blog with USA Today Sports about the reasons behind his decision.

What’s up world, it’s Isaiah Jackson and as you can see I just committed to the University of Kentucky!

This was a dream come true for me.

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Once Coach Cal started recruiting me I feel like my passion for Kentucky just grew even more. Don’t get me wrong, it was a hard decision because all three of the schools recruiting me did a great job, but my heart was just with Kentucky.

I think the moment where it turned for Kentucky was after my visit to Alabama.

That’s when I sat down with my family and really talked about it and it was clear that I was going there. I just feel like it gives me the best chance to get better and the best chance to win.

The class we’re bringing in is gonna be crazy with myself, BJ, Terrence, Cam, Lance and Devin. I just feel like we have the right pieces to win a national title.

That’s what we all expect and we’re all already talking about it.

PRESEASON BASKETBALL COVERAGE:

Super 25 Boys Rankings | ALL-USA Boys | ALL-USA Girls

We’re not done either. I don’t know who I’ll go after right now, but I’m definitely gonna be recruiting guys hard to come to Kentucky.

The coaches at Kentucky are comparing me to Anthony Davis, just a guy who blocks shots, runs the floor, plays the pick-and-roll and shots the J. Obviously, Anthony Davis is one of the best players in the world so that’s big for me to hear, but it just motivates me to work harder.

When I told Coach Cal about my decision I could tell that he was really happy and excited; that made me even more excited.

I’m planning to sign my NLI today too so I’m gonna have it all over with and that’s a great feeling too.

Now, I can just focus on my season and my books.

Tonight I’ll probably go out to eat with my family to celebrate.

OK, guys I just wanted to explain my decision for you a little more in-depth, but I have to get going now.

Thanks again for reading and GO BBN!

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NCAA Basketball: Kentucky upset by Evansville a week after beating Michigan State

7 days ago Kentucky beat Michigan State to become the top team in the country. A week later they were upset by Evansville.

Life can come at you pretty fast in sports, and that is especially the case in college basketball. Last week, Kentucky beat Michigan State in Madison Square Garden to take over the #1 spot in the country from the Spartans. Just a week later, Kentucky will be losing claim to that position after they were upset by the Evansville Purple Aces 67-64 at home in the Rupp Arena.

Kentucky’s guards, Immanuel Quickley and Tyrese Maxey still look great, but no other players were able to hit double figures. Kentucky only shot 23.5% from three while Evansville went 9/30 from deep, which was ultimately one of the difference-makers in this game. KJ Riley and Sam Cunliffe led the way for the Purple Aces with 18 and 17 points, respectively.

Michigan State will look to avoid a similar fate, albeit to a much better team when they face #12 Seton Hall on the road Thursday. Kentucky won’t be facing a ranked team until they play Ohio State December 21st.

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