Where Will Kentucky Basketball Land in the AP Top 25 After Ohio State Loss?
As the AP Top 25 rankings are set to be released today, December 23, all eyes are on Kentucky basketball to see where they will land following their blowout 85-65 loss to Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic. Previously ranked #4, the Wildcats are guaranteed to drop in the standings, but the pressing question is: how far will they fall?
Historically, teams in the top five typically slide 6-10 spots after a single loss, particularly when the defeat comes against a strong opponent. For context, Ohio State is a Power 5 team but isn’t ranked, which could influence voters to penalize Kentucky more harshly. However, by examining the rest of the top 15’s performance over the past week, we can make a reasonable prediction about where the Wildcats will land.
A Quick Recap of the Top 15
Here’s how the teams surrounding Kentucky fared in their most recent matchups:
- Tennessee: Dominated Western Carolina, 84-36.
- Auburn: Earned two solid wins against Georgia State (100-59) and Purdue (87-69).
- Iowa State: Breezed past Morgan State, 99-72.
- Kentucky: Loss to Ohio State, 85-65.
- Duke: Secured two victories over George Mason (68-47) and Georgia Tech (82-56).
- Alabama: Claimed wins against North Dakota (97-90) and Kent State (81-54).
- Florida: Impressive week with wins over North Carolina (90-84) and North Florida (99-45).
- Kansas: Handled Brown easily, 87-53.
- Marquette: Survived two close games, beating Butler (80-70) and Xavier (72-70).
- Oregon: Took care of Stanford, 76-61.
- UConn: Notched wins over Xavier (94-89) and Butler (78-74).
- Texas A&M: Blew out Houston Christian, 77-45.
- Gonzaga: Rolled past Nicholls (102-72) and Bucknell (86-65).
- Oklahoma: Beat Michigan in a thriller (87-86) and cruised past Central Arkansas (89-66).
- Houston: Dominated Toledo (78-49) and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (87-51).
Kentucky’s Unique Position
Unfortunately for Kentucky, they are the only team in the top 15 to have suffered a loss this week. The rest of the group played—and won—against a mix of easier non-conference opponents, with a few standout victories sprinkled in. Florida’s win over North Carolina and Oklahoma’s narrow victory over Michigan stand out, but much of the movement in the rankings will hinge on how voters weigh Kentucky’s loss.
Teams Likely to Leapfrog Kentucky
Given Kentucky’s loss, it’s safe to assume the teams immediately behind them—Duke, Alabama, Florida, and Kansas—will all move up. Additionally, Marquette, UConn, and possibly Gonzaga could jump ahead as well, given their consistent performances. Oklahoma’s win over Michigan might also push them slightly closer but is unlikely to vault them ahead of Kentucky entirely.
Predicted Rank for Kentucky
Based on historical trends and the relative strength of other teams’ performances, Kentucky is projected to drop to #11 in the AP Top 25. This seven-spot fall reflects a significant penalty for losing to an unranked Ohio State team but stops short of completely dismantling Kentucky’s standing in the top 15.
Here’s why #11 makes sense:
- Strength of Opponent: While Ohio State is unranked, they are a Power 5 team with enough talent to challenge top programs.
- Other Teams’ Results: Many teams behind Kentucky won, but against largely inferior competition, meaning voters may hesitate to reward them too aggressively.
- Kentucky’s Overall Record: Despite the loss, Kentucky’s early-season performances still carry weight, and they’ve shown the potential to be a top-tier team when they execute well.
The Range: #8-12
Realistically, Kentucky could fall anywhere between #8 and #12. The low end of this spectrum assumes voters account for Kentucky’s strong early season and give them the benefit of the doubt. The higher end of the range reflects a harsher penalty for being the only top-15 team to lose this week.
What’s Next for Kentucky?
As Kentucky absorbs the sting of this defeat, the focus must shift to regrouping and refining their game. The Wildcats have shown flashes of brilliance this season but need to address the inconsistencies that plagued them against Ohio State. The AP Top 25 drop, while disheartening, should serve as a wake-up call for a team with the talent to compete at the highest level.
With SEC play just around the corner, Kentucky has the opportunity to reclaim their standing. A strong showing in their upcoming games could catapult them back into the top 10, but that will require a renewed focus on execution, teamwork, and consistency.
Ultimately, where Kentucky lands today isn’t as important as how they respond to adversity. The Wildcats’ journey back to the top will depend on their ability to learn from their mistakes and prove they belong among college basketball’s elite.