Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
LAS VEGAS — Left in the neon desert with nothing else to stew on but their own (somewhat exaggerated) demise after losing to Utah in the same building 72 hours prior, it would be correct to state that Kentucky responded. The sky didn’t fall. The Wildcats did, 71-65 to Ohio State at T-Mobile Arena, their second straight loss as non-conference play draws to a close. Traditionally, this time of year has been a positive checkpoint. How much panic is necessary lies in the eyes of the beholder.
This particularly Kentucky team is not a juggernaut, although expectations will always subvert reality.