Otega Oweh came into the season with high expectations, earning the nod as the SEC Preseason Player of the Year. A slow start may have cooled the early hype, but lately, he’s been heating up-and not just on the offensive end. While that preseason honor might still be in play, there’s another piece of hardware that’s squarely in his sights: SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
Let’s get one thing straight-offense might dominate the highlight reels, but defense still builds champions. And right now, no one in the Southeastern Conference is making a bigger impact on that end of the floor than Oweh.
The Eye Test Tells You Everything
You don’t need to dive into a spreadsheet or run a film session to understand Oweh’s defensive value-just watch him play. Take the Ole Miss game, for example.
Oweh was a nightmare for the Rebels' guards. He fought through screens with precision, bodied up wings in the post, and slid with SEC-level guards like he was built for it.
That versatility is rare, and it’s exactly what makes him so valuable.
When Kentucky needs a stop, head coach Mark Pope doesn’t hesitate-he turns to Oweh. He’s the team’s defensive eraser, the guy who gets the toughest assignment when an opposing scorer starts heating up. And more often than not, he cools them off in a hurry.
Even in the Vanderbilt game-where Kentucky’s defense had its hiccups-Oweh still managed 20 points, three steals, and a presence that couldn’t be ignored. One bad play stood out, sure, but it didn’t define his night or his season.
The Numbers Back It Up
If you do want to look at the numbers, they tell a compelling story.
- Steals: Oweh ranks fourth in the SEC with 1.9 steals per game on the season, but he’s cranked that up to 2.14 in conference play. That’s elite territory.
- Deflections: Not every disruption shows up in the box score, but coaches track deflections for a reason.
Oweh’s anticipation and quick hands lead to a ton of them. Yes, he’ll occasionally get burned on a backdoor cut while hunting a steal, but that’s become a rare occurrence as he’s tightened up over the course of the season.
- Advanced Metrics: According to EvanMiya’s DBPR (Defensive Bayesian Performance Rating), Oweh ranks 54th nationally and leads Kentucky in that category. That’s not just solid-it’s elite. It means he’s consistently making winning plays on the defensive end, whether he’s guarding the ball, rotating help-side, or blowing up passing lanes.
A Guard’s Game Deserves a Guard’s Award
Traditionally, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award tends to go to rim protectors-those shot-blocking bigs who anchor the paint. But this season, the SEC is being driven by guard play. And in a league where perimeter scorers are thriving, a defender who can shut them down is more valuable than ever.
Kentucky’s recent surge in the standings hasn’t been powered by offense alone. Their defensive identity is taking shape, and Oweh is at the heart of it.
He’s not just fitting into the scheme-he is the scheme. When he’s on the floor, Kentucky’s defense looks different.
It looks better. It looks like it can win games in March.
Otega Oweh may not be the flashiest name in the conference, but when it comes to locking down the perimeter and setting the tone defensively, he’s in a league of his own. If the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award is truly about impact, versatility, and value to a team’s success, then the conversation starts-and might just end-with Oweh.