The Kentucky Wildcats came out victorious in their two games last week but not without raising some eyebrows. Despite beating Colgate and Louisville, the Wildcats showed vulnerabilities, trailing in the second half against Colgate and allowing a season-high 85 points to Louisville.
While these wins helped maintain momentum, the team’s performances have impacted their standing in the national analytical rankings. Kentucky dropped one spot in the KenPom rankings, sliding from No. 10 to No. 11. Meanwhile, they held steady at No. 10 in the DRatings rankings but fell from No. 7 to No. 12 in Haslametrics. EvanMiya rankings place Kentucky at No. 9, which ranks as only the fifth-best team in the SEC.
Upcoming Matchup: Ohio State
Mark Pope’s Wildcats will have just one game this week as they travel to New York City for the CBS Sports Classic, where they’ll face the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Buckeyes (6-4) are coming off a tough blowout loss to No. 2 Auburn. Despite Ohio State’s struggles, the Wildcats should expect a challenge as they look to refine their defense and maintain their offensive efficiency.
According to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, Kentucky enters the game with a 66% chance to win. The point spread is yet to be released, but fans can anticipate a competitive matchup in the second game of the day, following North Carolina vs. UCLA.
Looking Ahead
After the CBS Sports Classic, Kentucky will return to Rupp Arena for a New Year’s Eve game against Brown before diving into SEC play in early January. With some tough games ahead, the Wildcats have an opportunity to solidify their place among the nation’s top teams and bounce back in the rankings.
