Otega Oweh was the shining star for Kentucky in their recent clash against Georgia, putting up an impressive 28 points on 11-18 shooting, including 3-5 from beyond the arc. Despite his offensive heroics, the Wildcats fell short, losing 86-78. This performance marked Oweh's 10th 20-point game in 13 SEC outings, and it came on the night he was honored for reaching 1,000 career points with Kentucky-a milestone achieved by only five transfers in the program's history.
However, head coach Mark Pope wasn't entirely pleased after the game. While Oweh was the Preseason SEC Player of the Year and delivered an offensive masterclass, Pope pointed out the need for more from his star player, especially in critical moments. Oweh's four turnovers and three missed free throws were costly, and his defensive lapses didn't help Kentucky's cause.
“I think O was probably disappointed with his game tonight,” Pope remarked postgame. “The breakdowns that mattered in the game were tough.
And he’s carrying a lot of burden on our team. I know he wants to put a better performance out there on the floor.”
When reviewing the tape, it was clear that the mistakes overshadowed Oweh’s offensive brilliance. Pope emphasized the high standards expected of Oweh, noting his efficient scoring but also highlighting areas for improvement.
“He’s well over one point per possession. The four turnovers were painful, but he produced so much.
He also had four assists and his MP4Ts (make plays for teammates) were pretty good.”
The real concern was on defense, where Kentucky struggled to contain Georgia, allowing 1.26 points per possession-the Bulldogs' best performance against an SEC team this season. Pope acknowledged that while not all the defensive woes fell on Oweh, he still shared some responsibility.
Pope’s high expectations for Oweh stem from his belief in the guard’s potential. “Otega’s standard is incredibly high-it might be a higher standard than just about any other player in the country,” Pope stated. “I know that he looks at it like, hey, there’s good stuff there, but his standard is so high that he wants more and he should.”
The critiques are not to undermine Oweh’s achievements but to push him toward greatness. Pope envisions Oweh not just as a standout player at Kentucky but as a legendary figure who can consistently deliver on both ends of the court.
“There’s no balance in this game. We have to do what we have to do, right?”
Pope explained. “We’ve got to guard, and we’ve got to make plays for each other.
We’ve got to play with pace. That’s what we do, and that’s what he’s doing."
Oweh’s journey is indeed remarkable, and his desire for more is a testament to his drive and ambition. As Pope concluded, “What Otega Oweh is doing right now is pretty historic.
It’s incredibly impressive. And he wants more.”