Playing at full strength for the first time this season, the No. 4-ranked Kentucky Wildcats failed its first big test with an 86-77 double-overtime loss to Michigan State on Tuesday night in the Champions Classic at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Both teams struggled offensively in the early going, but the return of Oscar Tshiebwe from preseason knee surgery, changed the flow of the game as the reigning National Player of the Year entered the game to a standing ovation at the first media time out and quickly scored on an offensive rebound to give Kentucky an early 8-4 lead.