Kentucky Wildcats vs Ohio State Buckeyes Picks and Predictions December 21st 2024

No. 4 Kentucky Faces Ohio State in a Highly Anticipated Clash

Kentucky coach Mark Pope finds himself navigating a tricky decision as the No. 4 Wildcats gear up for their showdown against Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. The spotlight will be on a Kentucky team riding high and an Ohio State squad looking to prove its resilience.

Balancing Recovery and Momentum for Butler

Guard Lamont Butler, fresh off a career-high 33-point performance against Louisville, has been managing an ankle injury that sidelined him for two games. Despite the lingering concerns, Butler’s return has been nothing short of spectacular.

“LaMont’s ankle is an interesting thing because part of me is, ‘I want to get it 100 percent healthy,'” Pope said. “Then there’s a part of me that’s, ‘I don’t know if I want to get him 100 percent healthy.’ He was pretty good in that Louisville game.”

Butler’s perfect 10-for-10 shooting performance, including 6-for-6 from beyond the arc, was historic. Only two other Wildcats—Rodney Dent in 1993 and Kenny Walker in 1986—have accomplished more without a miss.

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Ohio State’s Royal Effort

Ohio State enters the matchup on the back of an impressive showing from forward Devin Royal, who notched career highs with 31 points and 15 rebounds in a dominant 95-73 victory over Valparaiso on Tuesday.

“I think my teammates got me open,” Royal said. “They were focusing on our guards a lot. That gave me an opportunity to score more.”

Royal became the first Buckeyes player with a 30-point, 15-rebound game since Jared Sullinger in 2010, showcasing his ability to lead the team in crucial moments.

Challenges for the Short-Handed Buckeyes

Ohio State will be without starting guard Meechie Johnson Jr., who has stepped away from the team for personal reasons. Additionally, injuries continue to impact key players like Ques Glover and Colin White, who have missed multiple games, and former Kentucky forward Aaron Bradshaw, whose return remains uncertain after an off-court incident.

Despite these setbacks, Ohio State coach Jake Diebler remains focused on evaluating his roster. “This is kind of an ongoing evaluation,” Diebler said. “Really one day at a time.”

A Clash of Contrasting Fortunes

While Kentucky (10-1) rides the momentum of Butler’s heroics and a strong win over Louisville, Ohio State (7-4) is looking to bounce back from tough losses to Maryland and No. 2 Auburn earlier this month.

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Pope isn’t underestimating the Buckeyes despite their recent struggles. “They’ve had some great success and then a couple of games I think they’d like to take back — like all of us, right?” he said. “A really, really good challenge against a team that is going to continue to get better and better.”

The Stage is Set

Saturday’s matchup at Madison Square Garden promises to deliver an electric atmosphere. For Pope, it’s an opportunity his team is eager to embrace. “It’s going to be an epic clash in Madison Square Garden for Christmas. I mean, it’s what you live for,” he said.

Both teams will be looking to make a statement as they head into the holiday break, with Kentucky aiming to solidify its status as a national contender and Ohio State eager to rise above adversity.