Ohio State vs. Kentucky: 2019-20 key storylines for non-conference matchup

1) Who can bounce back?

Building on what we talked about in the open, both teams need this win badly. Ohio State has won since that loss to Minnesota, but it was a home game against Southeast Missouri State – a team that was never really going to test the Buckeyes.

This is that next test, albeit against a struggling Kentucky team. A win re-asserts their place as one of the sport’s elite teams this season, whereas a loss raises serious questions about their ability to keep up that level to play all season long. Were those performances in November who this team is, or were they only a mirage?

The Wildcats simply can’t seem to find their rhythm and, after that loss to the Utes, head coach John Calipari told reporters that Utah beat them in pretty much every phase of the game.

"“They physically fought, they fought for position, they fought for defense, they fought for rebounds, they fought running down the floor, they outran (us). That’s what I’m trying to get my team to do. That was a great win, and they deserved it. I mean, he outcoached me the way they did it, and they outplayed us. They deserved to win the game.”"

Kentucky became the top-ranked team in the country after beating then-No. 1 Michigan State in the Champions Classic to open the season. Since then, you can question if this group has even looked like an NCAA Tournament team. The loss to Evansville is what it is and, since then, they’ve only played one team ranked in the KenPom top 100.

That team is Utah, and the Utes are ranked 100 on the nose.

The Wildcats haven’t gotten consistent offensive production from anyone on their roster and, because of that, haven’t been able to maintain any stretches of high-level offensive execution.

Yet all of that would go away with a win over Ohio State due to how good the Buckeyes have been. Talent certainly isn’t a question with the Wildcats and a victory in this game would signal that they’re finally starting to figure it out and turn the corner. A loss and, well, there will be plenty of reason for concern.