In a stunning turn of events, the Ohio State Buckeyes rebounded from a 38-point thrashing at the hands of Auburn last week to upset the No. 4 Kentucky Wildcats 85-65 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night. The win showcased the depth and resilience of Jake Diebler’s squad, as well as the game-changing impact of key returnees Aaron Bradshaw and Ques Glover.
Bruce Thornton’s Breakout Performance
Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton led the charge with a career-high 30 points, relentlessly attacking the rim and sinking clutch shots to stifle Kentucky’s comeback attempts. Thornton’s aggression set the tone early and often, exposing the Wildcats’ inability to contain dribble penetration.
I feel like our preparation these last couple days and how it’s presented [to] the team has been awesome. We understood the game plan with Kentucky, understood we could get downhill after the guards.
Bruce Thornton, Ohio State Guard
Mobley’s Adaptability
Freshman phenom John Mobley, typically known for his outside shooting, struggled from deep (1-8 3PT) but showcased his versatility by attacking the basket and converting a career-high four 2-pointers. This adaptability kept Kentucky’s defense off-balance throughout the game.
Reinforcements Arrive
The Buckeyes received a major boost from the returns of Aaron Bradshaw and Ques Glover. Bradshaw, a Kentucky transfer, tallied 11 points and anchored the defense after missing seven games due to a university investigation. Glover, fresh off an ankle injury, chipped in 9 points off the bench in his first action after an eight-game absence.
It was nice to have some depth tonight, and those guys certainly stepped up.
Jake Diebler, Ohio State Head Coach
Kentucky’s Shooting Woes
On the other side, Kentucky endured its worst shooting performance of the season, connecting on a paltry 4-of-22 from beyond the arc and struggling mightily to finish at the rim (7-of-23 on layups). This continues a troubling five-game trend for the Wildcats:
- Allowing 1+ point per possession in each game
- Opponents shooting nearly 55% inside the arc
- Just 31% 3-point shooting as a team
Looking Ahead
The Buckeyes (8-4) will look to build off this signature win as they dive into Big Ten play, while the Wildcats (10-2) have a 10-day break to regroup before a daunting SEC slate that includes Florida, Alabama, and Texas A&M in the first two weeks alone.
I know these guys. They’ll come in and — it’s not going to be just empty emotion. It’s going to be like, we’re going to get better, and these guys will get better, and we’ve just got to keep trusting what we do.
Mark Pope, Kentucky Head Coach
As the college basketball season reaches its midpoint, this game serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sport and the fine margins that separate triumph from disaster. For Ohio State, it’s a statement win that could springboard a turnaround. For Kentucky, it’s a wake-up call that even the most talented teams are vulnerable on any given night.
