Kentucky forward Daimion Collins addresses end to last season, how he's 'hungrier' because of it

Last season ended in colossal disappointment for the Kentucky basketball program. Despite being a two-seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Wildcats crashed out and were sent home by Saint Peter’s during the Round of 64. Even a few months later, big man Daimion Collins is still unhappy with the result and is looking for vengeance.

Collins said Kentucky will “most definitely” try to prove last season’s loss to Saint Peter’s was a fluke. Looking around the team, Collins thinks everybody involved with the program is motivated and ready to make a run at a national championship.

“Just seeing how some of my teammates last year said how hard they’re working, you just see it,” Collins said. “You can just see it around the locker how much hungrier they are. Definitely going to take that into advantage, you know. Come in this year, work hard, play hard. Try to win a national championship.”

Sometimes early in the NCAA Tournament, it’s easy to underestimate your opponents — especially as a two-seed. Kentucky had been battling SEC teams all season, going up against some of the best in the country.

Collins said that was not the case during their first-round matchup. Kentucky viewed Saint Peter’s the same way as every other opponent. At the end of the day, they just got outworked and beat by the Peacocks.

“We didn’t take nobody as understated,” Collins said. “We went into every game the same way. That night just didn’t play out (well) for us. Whatever happened, that’s what happened. But you know, we’re just going to let it be. We’re going to come back, work hard, and just play hard.”

Daimion Collins to play for past teammates

Losing in March Madness often means seniors have played their last game in college basketball. Collins said watching Kentucky’s leaders last season see their careers end with a loss was tough, making the loss even tougher to swallow.

“Even though I probably didn’t play as much that game, it still hurt me to see my teammates like that,” said Collins. “As you can see, Oscar (Tshiebwe) after the game, he was down bad after that game. Just seeing that, it most definitely burned a lot. Just seeing my other teammates. Seeing Davion (Mintz) and Kellan (Grady), knowing they can’t come back the next year. They definitely had a burn in it. Just seeing that, it made me want to drive harder, go harder. Just for them.”

Collins went on to say he will be playing for those guys this season, hoping to get Kentucky’s 14th banner hung in Rupp Arena.