The Kentucky Wildcats are reeling after a humiliating 85-65 loss to Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden. The defeat not only delivered a blow to the Wildcats’ confidence but also caused a significant drop in their rankings across multiple metrics. With the Associated Press poll updates looming, early indicators from the NET and KenPom rankings suggest a sharp fall that could be difficult to recover from anytime soon.
Prior to the game, Kentucky was ranked 9th in the NET rankings but has now dropped to 17th. The drop isn’t solely because of the loss but due to the manner in which it happened. Losing by 20 points on a neutral court to a team ranked 32nd in the NET is a severe blow, even though it qualifies as a Quad 1 loss. While Ohio State could still have a solid season, the Buckeyes haven’t exactly been dominant against strong competition, which makes this lopsided defeat all the more troubling for Kentucky fans.
Kentucky fell 15 spots in KenPom from #11 to #26.
Time will tell if today's game was an outlier performance or a sign of what's to come… Wildcats now predicted to finish 9-9 in SEC play by both KenPom and Torvik. https://t.co/yyaHX8RaTS
— JBR Bracketology (@JBRBracketology) December 22, 2024
The KenPom rankings paint an even grimmer picture. Kentucky plummeted from 11th to 26th after their performance, while Ohio State rose to 28th. What’s striking is how thoroughly the Buckeyes dismantled the Wildcats, exposing weaknesses across the board. Kentucky’s offense looked disjointed, their defense was porous, and even the simplest opportunities—like layups—weren’t falling. For a team once considered a frontrunner in the SEC, this kind of showing has raised serious questions about their trajectory.
KenPom’s predictive analytics now suggest Kentucky may struggle to finish with a winning record in SEC play, a far cry from the preseason expectations of them being a conference favorite. The Wildcats’ vulnerabilities were laid bare on national television, and losing to a middling Ohio State team in such embarrassing fashion has caused analysts and fans alike to reconsider their outlook for Kentucky.
All eyes will now turn to the AP poll, where Kentucky is still expected to remain ranked due to their strong early-season wins. However, a significant drop is inevitable, mirroring their tumble in the NET and KenPom rankings. The Wildcats are also feeling the ripple effects in early NCAA Tournament projections. Once viewed as a potential No. 1 seed, bracketologists like Joe Lunardi now have Kentucky pegged as a No. 3 seed.
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For Kentucky, this loss marks a pivotal moment in their season. With one non-conference game remaining before SEC play begins, the Wildcats have little time to regroup and address their glaring issues. Their opening SEC matchup against an undefeated Florida Gators team will be a critical test—and potentially an opportunity to regain momentum. Kentucky fans can only hope that this crushing loss serves as a wake-up call rather than a harbinger of things to come.