Mark Pope is setting the bar high for Otega Oweh, and Oweh himself is all in on that challenge. Coming off a stellar 28-point game against Georgia, where he celebrated his 1,000th point as a Wildcat, you might wonder why there's still a call for more. But that’s the kind of expectations they have for this senior standout in his final college season.
Oweh’s commitment to excellence is clear. “Otega’s standard is incredibly high - possibly higher than any other player in the country,” Pope remarked before Kentucky’s upcoming clash with Auburn. “He’s driven to be better, and I love that about him.”
Oweh has been on a tear, scoring 20-plus points in 10 of his last 13 SEC games, including six of his last seven. While he had some turnovers and defensive lapses, his scoring ability is undeniable.
Auburn’s Steven Pearl is keenly aware of the threat Oweh poses as they prepare to face Kentucky. They’ve already seen what can happen when a star guard takes over, like Mississippi State’s Josh Hubbard, who recently dropped 46 points in a win over Auburn.
Pearl emphasized the challenge ahead: “In 10 out of 13 conference games, he’s scored 20 or more. Oweh is exceptional at driving to the rim and finishing physically.
If he hits one shot, he can easily hit three. He’s shooting 75 percent inside the paint, which is impressive.
We need to limit his touches and keep him out of the paint.”
Oweh is not just a threat inside; he can also light it up from beyond the arc. He’s had eight games with multiple three-pointers, hitting at least three in two of his last four games with over 60 percent accuracy. In those matchups, he’s averaged 26 points on 62 percent shooting.
For Auburn, containing Oweh is crucial. “Oweh has the green light,” Pearl noted. “He can hit shots from anywhere.”
Big Blue Nation would welcome another standout performance from Oweh in this significant matchup for the Wildcats.