Kentucky players insist team chemistry remains strong and “We're gonna make it work.”
Kentucky basketball’s season may have started with tough losses to Louisville, Michigan State, Gonzaga, and a home defeat to North Carolina, but Otega Oweh, Jasper Johnson, and Trent Noah are putting to rest any speculation of locker room drama.
After fans questioned team cohesion, especially following comments from head coach Mark Pope about a “pre-game experience” before the Louisville game, both Oweh and Noah emphasized that any struggles have been strictly on the court.
“No, that’s not true,” Noah said Tuesday night after Kentucky’s blowout win over NC Central. “I feel like we are kind of right now with these losses, it’s kind of bringing us closer together. Every team wants to be tight-knit, and I really do think that we are. We really do have our backs… these are my best friends.”
Oweh echoed what Noah said, emphasizing the team’s unity off the court.
“There ain’t no off-the-court stuff. It’s all on the court. Obviously, people are gonna spectate and speculate, but we all hang out, we all good. It ain’t nothing off the court,” Oweh says.
Johnson, who scored a career-high 22 points, also shut down the notion of team turmoil.
“I’ve seen some of that stuff. The fans are trying to say stuff about us going wrong in the locker room. Nah. Our guys are really working to get connected,” said Johnson. “Spend quality time off the court to learn each other better. We’re gonna make it work, for sure.”
The comments come after fans pointed to moments like Denzel Aberdeen not passing to a wide-open Oweh, which led to a turnover against Gonzaga.
As the Wildcats look to bounce back from early setbacks, the players are sending a clear message: Their chemistry is intact, and their focus is on improving together on the court.
Category: General Sports
