Ohio State won big again, this time on the national stage against a top ten Kentucky team in the CBS Sports Classic in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Buckeyes played an athletically gifted Wildcat team to a virtual stalemate at halftime, but once the second half began, the Buckeyes managed to lead from start to finish. It was a tight game throughout, but one in which Ohio State continued to make plays when it needed in order to keep the Wildcats arms’ length and, and salt away a big-time, resume-building win.
Kentucky head coach John Calipari met with the media after his team lost and had had high praise for Ohio State — even calling the Buckeyes one of the top teams in the country.
“We fought, we tried,” said Calipari. “Thank God we had Nate… Ohio State played their butts off. That’s a top 1,2, 3 team. That’s what they are.”
Calipari should know. He was impressed watching tape of the Buckeyes heading into the showdown on the strip, but he seems to be even more impressed after. He’s won a couple of national titles himself, and has had seen his fair share of top teams — national-title winning teams — both his and others throughout the years.
Now receiving praise and winning big things don’t always go hand in hand, but it’s clear to Calipari and others that this year’s Ohio State squad has the talent to make a deep run in March.
