Otega Oweh’s halfcourt buzzer-beater against Santa Clara has already become the defining moment of the NCAA Tournament, claiming the top spot on SportsCenter’s Top 10. As Oweh and his Kentucky teammates gear up for media appearances at the Enterprise Center, he reflected on the thrilling play during an early College Gameday segment.
Oweh described the moment with a sense of calm urgency. “Everything was kind of slow,” he shared about his mindset during the shot.
“Once [Allen Graves] made the shot, I knew we had no more timeouts. Denzel Aberdeen got the ball out quick to me, and I just rushed to cross halfcourt and get a good shot.
We needed a three to tie, so I just let it fly.”
This dramatic shot, coupled with Kentucky’s relentless performance in overtime, underscores the team’s tenacity. As analyst Seth Greenberg aptly put it, the Wildcats are as resilient as they come. Oweh embraced this notion, highlighting the team’s determination to represent Big Blue Nation with pride.
“It’s just the character of everyone on the team,” Oweh explained. “We love the game, we love playing together, and we’re relentless.
We’ve faced challenges since the start of the season, and quitting isn’t an option. Wearing this jersey means playing with a chip on our shoulder, and we bring that energy every game.”
With the celebration behind them, Kentucky now turns its focus to a formidable Iowa State team. Despite the potential absence of All-American Joshua Jefferson, Oweh knows the Wildcats must bring their A-game to topple the No. 2 seed and reach the Sweet 16. Having faced Iowa State before, Oweh is familiar with their style.
“They’re a great team,” Oweh noted. “I’ve played them a couple of times back when I was at Oklahoma.
They’re super physical and don’t seem to tire. We have to stick to our game plan, protect the ball, and stay composed.
It’s going to be a battle of toughness.”
Reflecting on the recent game against Santa Clara, Kentucky’s first non-SEC matchup since December, Oweh welcomed the change of pace and rapid preparation.
“It feels like an AAU Tournament,” he said. “You get just a day to prep for the next team.
It’s exciting because it forces you to focus even more and offers a break from familiar opponents. This is the best time of the year.”
With the Wildcats’ eyes set on the next challenge, their journey through the tournament promises to be as thrilling as Oweh’s unforgettable shot.