The Kentucky Wildcats are 2-0 in neutral site games this season under first year coach, Mark Pope. Both the game in Seattle against #7 Gonzaga (which was technically a neutral game) and in Atlanta against #6 Duke are Kentucky’s two neutral site games thus far where they’ve managed to pick up two impressive wins.

Today the Wildcats will play in their third neutral site game of the season, taking place in New York City at the historic Madison Square Garden. They will take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in the CBS Sports Classic. The game will be tipping off at 5:30 PM EST on the CBS Network. The game prior will be North Carolina versus UCLA at 3:00 PM if you’re wanting to get a double dose of college basketball today.

The Buckeyes have not had a stellar season thus far as they are currently 7-4 on the season. With that being said, this is still a Quad 1 game for the Wildcats. Ohio State will be without guard Meechie Johnson this afternoon, so that will lessen the load for the blue team. One familiar player they will have is former Wildcat, Aaron Bradshaw, who transferred to the Buckeyes this offseason. He’s had some off the court issues that’s sidelined him for a few games recently, but he’s since returned and found minutes in their last few games. He should be available for this one today, according to reports.

If Kentucky can come out and play the way we’ve seen them play this season, this should be a game that the Wildcats can win with ease. Their size between Amari Williams, Brandon Garrison, and Andrew Carr should allow them to excel in the paint against OSU’s big men.

When comparing the two offense’s, Kentucky averages 91.3 points per game compared to Ohio State’s 80.7, with a mirroring 49.5% field goal average for both teams. The Cats own a 44.5 rebounds per game average to OSU’s 36.0, a 5.3 blocks to their 3.9 a game, and a less turnovers (9.7 to OSU’s 11.1) on a given night, per the team stats.

Ohio State is led by Devin Royal, who averages 15.6 points per game. Not only that, he’s also the Buckeyes’ leading rebounder with 7.9 a game. I’m sure Kentucky has him circled all through their scouting report and will target to cease him as much as possible.

When looking at the all-time stat between this matchup, the series is super close. Kentucky leads 11-10 overall, having lost the last 2 matchups and owning a 0-2 record versus them in the CBS Sports Classic. Neither head coach on both programs (Pope and Diebler) have faced each other before.

I believe the Kentucky will cruise to a fairly comfortable win today but I expect it to remain close in the first half. I have Kentucky winning 87-74 with Lamont Butler being the game’s MVP.

Some other predictions from Cats Coverage staff include:

Jack Wagner: 88-75, Kentucky. MVP – Koby Brea

Tanin Smith: 91-70, Kentucky. MVP – Andrew Carr

Braden Nevius: 97-73, Kentucky. MVP – Otega Oweh

Jacob Childers: 87-70, Kentucky. MVP – Amari Williams

Tres Terrell: 91-65, Kentucky. MVP – Jaxson Robinson

Nate Unthank: 84-70, Kentucky. MVP – Brandon Garrison

John Michael Frey: 97-71, Kentucky. MVP – Koby Brea

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