For Otega Oweh, memories of facing Muhammad Dioubate aren’t exactly sunshine and highlight reels. They’re physical. They’re intense. And most of all, they’re unforgettable.
“Grit and toughness — that’s what he brought every single possession,” Oweh said, recalling their matchups back when Dioubate was suiting up for Alabama. “You had to earn everything. Nothing came easy.”
Dioubate made his name in the SEC by playing with a motor that never stopped. He was the kind of player coaches love and opponents dread — a relentless defender, a fierce rebounder, and a vocal leader on the floor.
But now, for the sake of Big Blue Nation — and Oweh’s own sanity — the script has flipped: Muhammad Dioubate is officially a Kentucky Wildcat.
Dioubate announced his transfer to Kentucky earlier this week, joining new head coach Mark Pope’s roster as a seasoned, battle-tested forward. His presence instantly brings an edge to the Wildcats, who are looking to combine skill and intensity in their new era.
Oweh, who knows firsthand how draining it was to go up against Dioubate, couldn’t be more relieved to be wearing the same jersey this time around.
“I’d rather fight alongside him than try to stop him again,” he admitted with a smile.
Dioubate’s arrival signals more than just another roster addition — it’s a statement. Kentucky isn’t just looking for talent. They’re building a team that’s ready to scrap, claw, and win the hard way. With Dioubate in blue and white, that identity is coming into sharp focus.
So, while Oweh may not have fond memories of battling Dioubate in Tuscaloosa, he’s more than happy to rewrite that story — this time, as teammates chasing something bigger in Lexington.
