Kentucky’s crushing 85-65 defeat to Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic sent shockwaves through the Wildcats’ season. The loss not only dropped Kentucky in the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches polls—from No. 4 to No. 10—but also caused the team to tumble in several key statistical categories. Here’s an in-depth look at how the Wildcats’ numbers have suffered post-Ohio State and the challenges they face moving forward.
No Longer the Nation’s Top-Scoring Team
The Wildcats had been the highest-scoring team in the country under head coach Mark Pope, averaging 91.3 points per game going into the CBS Sports Classic. However, their dismal offensive showing against Ohio State—just 65 points—knocked them off the top spot.
Now averaging 89.1 points per game, Kentucky trails Gonzaga (89.2) by the slimmest of margins. The Wildcats remain second but have lost some of their offensive momentum. Here’s how the current scoring leaders stack up:
- Gonzaga: 89.2
- Kentucky: 89.1
- Samford: 89.0
- Alabama: 88.7
- Iowa State: 88.5
For Kentucky to reclaim the top spot, they’ll need to show more consistency in offensive execution, particularly against high-caliber opponents.
Outside the Top 100 in 3-Point Shooting
Three-point shooting has been an ongoing issue for Kentucky this season, and the loss to Ohio State highlighted their struggles. The Wildcats made just four three-pointers on 18.2% shooting, their worst performance from beyond the arc this year.
As a result, Kentucky has dropped from 79th to 112th nationally in 3-point shooting percentage, now sitting at 35.45%. For a team aspiring to make a deep tournament run, this deficiency could be a glaring weakness. Kentucky’s inability to capitalize from long range has made them more predictable offensively, giving opponents an edge in defensive game-planning.
Second in Defensive Rebounding
Kentucky also lost its No. 1 ranking in defensive rebounding. Previously averaging 32.73 defensive rebounds per game, the Wildcats grabbed just 19 against Ohio State. This drop allowed Illinois to take over the top spot in the nation.
Current defensive rebounding leaders:
- Illinois: 32.00
- Kentucky: 31.58
- Alabama: 31.00
Rebounding has been one of Kentucky’s strengths this season, but lapses like this could undermine their efforts in high-stakes matchups.
Free Throw Shooting Shows Progress
One bright spot for Kentucky in the loss to Ohio State was their performance at the free-throw line. The Wildcats made 27 of 32 attempts, raising their season average from 72.3% to 73.76%. This improvement bumped them from 155th to 113th nationally.
Much of this progress can be attributed to Otega Oweh, who went a perfect 13-for-13 from the line against the Buckeyes. Still, Kentucky has room to grow if they want to capitalize on close games down the stretch.
Koby Brea’s Three-Point Chase Stalls
Koby Brea, who had been a standout for Kentucky as one of the nation’s top three-point shooters, struggled against Ohio State. He hit only 2-of-7 from beyond the arc, causing his season percentage to dip from 51.6% to 50.7%. This drop moved him from fourth to sixth nationally among three-point shooters.
Here’s how the leaders in three-point shooting currently rank:
- Ahamad Bynum (UTEP): 63.83%
- Chance McMilian (Texas Tech): 53.45%
- Jayden Nunn (Baylor): 52.73%
- Joson Sanon (Arizona State): 50.91%
- Rafael Pinzon (Bryant): 50.82%
- Koby Brea (Kentucky): 50.70%
While Brea remains one of the most efficient shooters in the country, he’ll need to regain his touch to keep Kentucky’s offense firing on all cylinders.
What’s Next for Kentucky?
The Wildcats have an opportunity to regroup during their 10-day holiday break before facing Brown on New Year’s Eve. This game presents a chance for Kentucky to fix some of their shortcomings and regain confidence before entering SEC play.
To reclaim their dominance, Kentucky must improve their three-point shooting, maintain defensive rebounding consistency, and rediscover their high-scoring identity. The loss to Ohio State was a wake-up call, but it also serves as a pivotal moment for the Wildcats to address their weaknesses and refocus their efforts for the rest of the season.
With a strong showing against Brown, Kentucky can begin the new year on a high note and reassert themselves as one of the top teams in college basketball.