Adou Thiero reveals difference in Kentucky since Bahamas trip

Kentucky Basketball is not off to its best start in 2022-23. The team isn’t in panic mode yet and is still sitting fine at 9-4 with nearly all of their conference slate left to play. However, there’s just been something off with this group on the court. Which is odd, because just four months ago, this exact same squad was having the time of their lives playing ball together down in paradise.

So how did Kentucky go from this fun-loving, free-spirited team playing connected basketball…to a collection of struggling individuals who can’t seem to get on the same page? There’s no easy answer, but UK wing Adou Thiero tried his best to explain the difference in mindset from the Bahamas trip to now.

Adou Thiero on mindset of the team since Bahamas trip

“I think it was that we were having a lot of fun in the Bahamas,” said Thiero. “We would just go out there and play, have fun, play hard. I think now we’re just playing and not really having fun, right. Just it’s not fun losing. So I think against Louisville we had a lot of fun in that game. The bench was into it, everyone on the court was into it. After a big play we’re all getting hyped, all the fans were into it. I think that’s just what we’re missing. The having fun part.”

The having fun part is pretty crucial, most coaches will tell you. Rarely does a team that does not enjoy playing together win anything of significance. However, sounds like the ‘Cats got back to having a good time whiling whupping up on rival Louisville, which is the medicine al of BBN needed after a less-than-fun matchup at Missouri earlier in the week.

Next, Thiero was asked if there’s worry the team will slide back into its un-fun ways if the team does drop another game or two soon. Because we all know it’s easier to have fun when you’re winning, especially when you’re cruising to a 20-point win over your biggest rival in the worst season of their respective program history.

Thiero says like they did with Missouri, if other losses occur, they’ll just have to do their best to move on and refocus on whatever the next test may be.

“I think that’s just like — it’s just a couple losses, it’s still early. I mean, we’re just going to learn from it and then it’s in the past, so we’re just gonna move on to the next game. I think we just gotta go in there and perform.”