Otega Oweh showcased his dynamic skills against Georgia, delivering a performance that was mostly spectacular, with a few hiccups along the way. Let's dive into the action.
Starting with the positives, Oweh matched his career high by dropping 28 points in Kentucky's 86-78 loss to the Bulldogs. He was efficient, shooting 11-18 from the field and 3-5 from beyond the arc.
Oweh also contributed four rebounds and four assists during his 35 minutes on the court. This marked the 10th time in 13 SEC games this season that he reached the 20-point threshold.
His offensive prowess was particularly evident at the start of the second half, where he sank two three-pointers and converted consecutive and-ones in quick succession.
Oweh wasn't intimidated by Georgia's formidable shot-blockers. He stuck to his strengths, aggressively attacking the paint. One highlight was his electrifying fastbreak dunk, which included an and-one, injecting energy into Rupp Arena late in the game.
“He’s the best downhill driver in the country,” said sophomore guard Collin Chandler, praising his teammate. “Doing that against the top shot-blocking team in the conference is incredibly impressive.”
Before tipoff, Oweh was celebrated for surpassing the 1,000-point milestone as a Wildcat in less than two seasons. He acknowledged the fans at midcourt, holding a commemorative basketball alongside his head coach.
However, not everything went smoothly. Oweh struggled at the free-throw line, hitting only 3-6, which included missing some crucial and-one opportunities.
He also turned the ball over four times, with the last one being particularly costly. With Kentucky down by three and just over a minute left, Oweh lost the ball off his knee, leading to a Georgia score that sealed the game.
“I think O was probably disappointed with his game tonight,” said head coach Mark Pope. “The breakdowns were tough, and he’s shouldering a lot for our team. He wants to deliver a better performance.”
Oweh also received a flagrant foul late in the game after an elbow incident while navigating a Georgia screen. Fatigue seemed to catch up with him, as he was seen limping at one point. This was his sixth consecutive game playing over 31 minutes, a testament to Kentucky's dwindling depth.
Right now, Oweh is carrying a heavy load for Kentucky. With limited options on the bench, he's tasked with doing a lot, perhaps too much, and the wear and tear are beginning to show when it matters most.