Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh believes his team is peaking at the perfect moment. After an impressive 91-83 road win over a top-15 Missouri squad to close out the regular season, Oweh shared his confidence in the Wildcats as they prepare for the SEC Tournament. Despite a season marred by injuries, Kentucky has found new life in adversity, with young players stepping up and veterans leading the charge.
The game didn’t start ideally for Kentucky, as Missouri jumped to an 11-4 lead in the opening minutes. However, the Wildcats rallied, sparked by a three-pointer from Travis Perry that gave them the lead midway through the first half. From there, Kentucky controlled the game, taking a nine-point advantage into halftime. Oweh, who battled early foul trouble, returned in the second half with a vengeance, scoring 20 of his game-high 22 points after the break.
Oweh credited the team’s depth and the contributions of younger players like Collin Chandler, Trent Noah, and Perry for keeping Kentucky afloat during crucial moments. “That first half, it set the tone, really,” Oweh said during his postgame radio interview. “Even when me and Lamont [Butler] got two quick fouls, that second group came in and uplifted the energy. Those young guys, they did a great job.”
Chandler, in particular, continued to show his growth, adding eight points and playing crucial minutes. The extra time on the court for the younger players, due to injuries throughout the season, has paid dividends, creating a deeper, more resilient roster.
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope has emphasized the importance of finding continuity despite the challenges. Oweh echoed that sentiment, pointing to the team’s scrappy, underdog mentality as the key to their recent success. “This is us,” Oweh said. “This is what got us here. We just have to embrace that chip and intensity, play our game, and remember what it takes to win.”
The Wildcats now head to Nashville for the SEC Tournament as the No. 6 seed, riding a wave of momentum. With their young players gaining confidence and veterans like Oweh stepping up, Kentucky is poised to make noise in the postseason.
“This was definitely a win we needed,” Oweh said. “The road ahead is tough, but we’re ready to embrace the challenge. This is really us, and we’re ready to show everyone what Kentucky basketball is all about.”
