In a gritty showdown at Colonial Life Arena, Kentucky men's basketball emerged victorious over South Carolina with a 72-63 win. This wasn't just any win; it was a testament to Kentucky's depth and resilience, especially since SEC Preseason Player of the Year Otega Oweh was held to just eight points, a stark contrast to his usual 20+ point performances.
South Carolina's game plan, as explained by Head Coach Lamont Paris, aimed to neutralize Oweh, and it worked, albeit not in the way they hoped. Paris noted, "Oweh scoring 24 was not part of our equation." The Gamecocks focused on limiting Oweh's impact, and while they succeeded in that regard, Kentucky's other players rose to the occasion.
With Oweh subdued, Kentucky's supporting cast stepped up. Andrija Jelavic and Mouhamed Dioubate both hit double digits, but it was Denzel Aberdeen who stole the spotlight, especially in the first half. Aberdeen racked up 19 points overall, with 11 coming before halftime, accounting for nearly 40% of Kentucky's points at the break.
Paris acknowledged the risk of letting other players shine, saying, "I'm most concerned that they had 28 points in the first half… so what do I care if it's Aberdeen or a manager that scored?" His focus was on executing their plan against Oweh, even if it meant others had a big night.
Kentucky Head Coach Mark Pope didn't dwell on Oweh's off night, instead praising Aberdeen and the rest of the Wildcats for their contributions. This adaptability marks a significant step for Kentucky, which now stands 3-3 against high-major teams when Oweh scores under 15 points. Notably, this was the first time in the Pope era that Kentucky secured a win without Oweh hitting double figures.
While South Carolina might not be a powerhouse like Florida, their strategy mirrored the Gators', who previously stifled Oweh, leading to a Kentucky loss. However, this win against South Carolina demonstrated that Kentucky can find ways to win even when their star isn't at his best.
This victory also provides Kentucky with some breathing room as they aim for an NCAA Tournament berth. With three regular-season games left, including tough matchups against Vanderbilt and Florida, Kentucky will need strong performances from Oweh to secure those wins.
Kentucky's next challenge comes on Saturday, Feb. 28, when they face No. 25 Vanderbilt at Rupp Arena.
The game promises to be another test of Kentucky's depth and adaptability, airing live on ESPN at 2 p.m. ET.