When the final buzzer sounded at the Barclays Center on Saturday afternoon, Ohio State coach Thad Matta let his players celebrate. The Buckeyes had just knocked off No. 4 Kentucky, leaping into the national consciousness for the first time all season.
But with the win came an opportunity: Could the Buckeyes use the game as a turning point in what had been a lackluster start to the season? Or would they come out flat against Mercer, Tuesday night’s opponent from the Southern Conference?
It took until the second half for Matta to get the answer he was looking for.