Tag: Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky head coach John Calipari calls Ohio State a top 1,2,3 team

Ohio State got another top ten win. Kentucky head coach John Calipari was impressed with the Buckeyes and called them a top 1,2,3 team.

Ohio State won big again, this time on the national stage against a top ten Kentucky team in the CBS Sports Classic in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Buckeyes played an athletically gifted Wildcat team to a virtual stalemate at halftime, but once the second half began, the Buckeyes managed to lead from start to finish. It was a tight game throughout, but one in which Ohio State continued to make plays when it needed in order to keep the Wildcats arms’ length and, and salt away a big-time, resume-building win.

Kentucky head coach John Calipari met with the media after his team lost and had had high praise for Ohio State — even calling the Buckeyes one of the top teams in the country.

“We fought, we tried,” said Calipari. “Thank God we had Nate… Ohio State played their butts off. That’s a top 1,2, 3 team. That’s what they are.”

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Calipari should know. He was impressed watching tape of the Buckeyes heading into the showdown on the strip, but he seems to be even more impressed after. He’s won a couple of national titles himself, and has had seen his fair share of top teams — national-title winning teams — both his and others throughout the years.

Now receiving praise and winning big things don’t always go hand in hand, but it’s clear to Calipari and others that this year’s Ohio State squad has the talent to make a deep run in March.

Ohio State beats Kentucky: 3 Things we learned

Ohio State beat back another blue blood on Saturday night when it took care of Kentucky 71-65. Here’s three things we learned.

If you thought the game on the road against Minnesota was a come back to Earth moment for the Ohio State basketball team, you were sadly mistaken.

Instead of the cracks in the dam resulting in a rush of issues cascading down, instead the Buckeyes have dug in and continued to show everyone they are for real this year. The latest is a tough win against a top ten Kentucky team in Las Vegas that will continue to turn some heads across the country.

Ohio State played Kentucky to a near stalemate through the first twenty minutes, but took care of the basketball and made big plays in the second half to take control and get a fairly sound win against an impressive opponent 71-65.

Here’s three things we learned.

Next … Freshman phenom finding his way

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

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.

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 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

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

Utah vs. Kentucky odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Utah Utes vs. Kentucky Wildcats betting odds and lines, with NCAA basketball betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Utah Utes (8-2, 0-0 PAC-12) and the Kentucky Wildcats (8-1, 0-0 SEC) tangle on a neutral-site floor at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas at 11 p.m. ET Wednesday. We analyze the Utah-Kentucky odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Utah vs. Kentucky: Three things you need to know

1. Kentucky G Ashton Hagans rolls in with 16.3 points and 8.7 assists per game across his past six outings.

2. Kentucky freshman G Tyrese Maxey is just 4-for-26 from the field across his past three games.

3. The Utes enter this game with a 29-29 record all-time in Las Vegas, while going 8-8 under head coach Larry Krystkowiak.

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

Utah vs. Kentucky: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:40 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Kentucky 85, Utah 77

Moneyline (ML)

Kentucky (-769) is heavily favorited to win, but the ML is too chalky to warrant a wager. A $10 bet on the Wildcats to win outright returns a profit of just $1.30.

Against the Spread (ATS)

UTAH (+11.5, -110) will be able to keep it within single digits, mainly due to the erratic shooting of Maxey. While he has been playing lockdown defense, he has really struggled from the perimeter, and that’s his calling card. Until he gets on track, opponents of the Wildcats (-11.5, -110) will be able to reel them in.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 138.5 (-110) is the play here. Expect Kentucky to snap out of its shooting funk a little bit. The Over is 12-5 in Utah’s past 17 against teams with a winning percentage of .600 or better. While it’s all Under all the time for Kentucky, some trends are made to be broken.

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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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.