At the half: Michigan State leads Kentucky 36-34

After 20 minutes of play, most of them sloppy, No. 4 Kentucky trails Michigan State 36-34 in the Champions Classic.

Let’s start with the good. Not only is Oscar Tshiebwe back, he almost has a double-double. In his first game back from a minor knee procedure, Oscar came off the bench to score 11 points and grab 7 rebounds in 12 minutes. He leads the team in scoring and rebounding. Sahvir Wheeler has six points and three assists, while Cason Wallace and Antonio Reeves have five points each.

Now, the bad. Kentucky led for over 16 minutes and by as many as 7 with 8:41 left, but let the Spartans score go on a 22-14 run to take the lead into half. Malik Hall leads Michigan State with 11 points, but Joey Hauser is the one you’ve been screaming at your television about. He has nine points thus far off three threes. The officiating has also been annoying. Kentucky has eight fouls to Michigan State’s four.

Thus far, it’s been a chilly shooting night for the Cats, who are connecting on only 42.4% (14-33) from the floor and 20% (2-10) from three. Meanwhile, the Spartans are shooting 48% (14-29) from the field and 38.5% (5-13) from the outside. I have a feeling John Calipari’s making his feelings on Kentucky’s defensive breakdowns known in the locker room.

Here’s to a better second half.

Box Score

Highlights

Get it started then @wallace_cason 💥 pic.twitter.com/ucj0SHVc20

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) November 16, 2022

Oscar Tshiebwe checks in for @KentuckyMBB to a standing ovation 🙌

📺 Champions Classic on ESPN pic.twitter.com/Fgi1OgDLVQ

— ESPN (@espn) November 16, 2022

Welcome back, Big O 💪#GoBigBlue x @Oscartshiebwe34 pic.twitter.com/skChxb7z1z

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) November 16, 2022