Ohio State’s men’s basketball team has entered a pivotal point in its season after a 38-point loss to Auburn last weekend, their third defeat in four games. The Buckeyes were also missing senior guard Meechie Johnson Jr., who started the first 10 games of the season due to personal reasons.
However, Ohio State bounced back with an impressive 85-65 victory over No. 4 Kentucky at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night. Guard Bruce Thornton led the way with 30 points, showcasing his ability to get into the lane and finish in traffic.
Thornton’s performance was key to the Buckeyes’ success, as they took control late in the first half and never looked back. Freshman guard John Mobley also made a career-high four 2-pointers, while the returns of Aaron Bradshaw and Ques Glover provided a significant boost to Jake Diebler’s team.
Kentucky struggled on offense, shooting just 4-for-22 from the 3-point line and allowing the Buckeyes to get downhill after the guards. The Wildcats’ usual perimeter defense was also ineffective, with teams shooting nearly 55% from inside the arc against them in their last five games.
Despite the loss, Kentucky coach Mark Pope remains optimistic about his team’s performance. “I know these guys,” he said. “They’ll come back and work like crazy.” The Wildcats have 10 days off before hosting Brown on New Year’s Eve and then getting right into SEC play.
The Buckeyes improved to 8-4 with the win, while Kentucky fell to 10-2. With their depth now fully intact, Ohio State is poised to make a push in the remainder of the season.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/43102648/ohio-state-hoops-rebounds-blowout-no-4-kentucky