Oakland may only be a 14-seed in the NCAA Tournament, but they are certainly confident. That has led to some comments that their opponent, the 3-seeded Kentucky Wildcats, have found to be disrespectful. Including comments like:
”I think we’re very capable of beating a team like this.” – Oakland forward Trey Townsend
“This was the best matchup I think we could get.” – Oakland head coach Greg Kampe
“We think we shoot better than they do.” – Oakland guard Jack Gohlke
Those comments have made their way into the Kentucky locker room and have created more storylines than the traditional 3-14 matchup.
“I heard they’re talking crap,” Ugonna Onyenso said at Wednesday’s open practice. “I’m not gonna say nothing. Just step into the ring. If you’re gonna talk, I hope you’re going to back your words up when it’s time to fight.”
Senior veteran Tre Mitchell also took offense, but rather than firing back, he will let the game do the talking.
“I’m not going to speak too much on it now,” Mitchell said. “Let the game do the talking at the end of the day. It’s one thing to speak how you feel. But there’s another level to it when a little bit of disrespect comes into play. It’s not just me. It’s basically saying we have no inside presence whatsoever. We have some unbelievable talent. I just feel like it should have at least been acknowledged. Our game will speak.”
Rob Dillingham, who is one of Kentucky’s biggest talkers on the court, also heard about it. But he rather played it off. “We’re here to play basketball,” Dillingham said with a smirk. “If they think that’s what they want, that’s what they want. I’m just here to play basketball.”
Kentucky gets everybody’s best shot and they will get Oakland’s on Thursday. However, the Wildcats certainly sound prepared, and a little extra motivated, for that challenge.
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