Kentucky’s loss to Georgetown left fans scratching their heads — but amid the frustration, one Wildcat quietly showed why he could be the spark this team needs. Otega Oweh stepped up when no one else could, putting together a performance that spoke louder than the scoreboard. Let’s break it down.
When the final buzzer sounded on Kentucky’s 84–70 exhibition loss to Georgetown, frustration filled Rupp Arena. The Wildcats looked disjointed, sloppy, and out of rhythm from the start — and for good reason. Without starting point guard Jaland Lowe and fellow floor general Denzel Aberdeen, Kentucky simply couldn’t find its offensive flow.
The absence of those two guards left the team searching for direction. Lowe, still recovering from a shoulder injury, has been sidelined since October 17, while Aberdeen missed the game with a leg issue. In their place, Kentucky was forced to improvise, and the offense struggled with timing, spacing, and turnovers — the type of issues that show just how much the Wildcats miss a true point guard.
But through the chaos, Otega Oweh delivered. The sophomore guard was relentless all night, scoring a team-high 17 points, getting to the rim at will, and keeping the game from slipping into blowout territory. When Kentucky’s half-court sets broke down, Oweh created his own looks, attacking off the dribble and drawing contact to earn trips to the line — where he went 8-for-11.
He wasn’t just scoring — he was competing. While other Wildcats seemed to fade as the game dragged on, Oweh played with urgency and energy, setting the tone on both ends. His ability to stay aggressive even when the offense stalled showed the kind of leadership Kentucky desperately needed with its backcourt depleted.
Around him, Mouhamed Dioubate chipped in 13 points and seven rebounds, and Collin Chandler added 11 and seven, but neither could control the tempo like Oweh tried to. Without Lowe and Aberdeen, Kentucky’s turnovers piled up — 15 total — and Georgetown capitalized with easy buckets in transition.
Still, Oweh’s performance was the bright spot. In a game full of miscues, his composure and effort stood out. Mark Pope’s system depends heavily on ball movement and spacing, but with the point guards out, it was Oweh’s attacking mindset that kept Kentucky afloat.
Fans may have walked out disappointed by the loss, but if there’s one thing this game revealed, it’s that Otega Oweh might just be Kentucky’s heartbeat until Lowe returns.
The Wildcats have work to do — no question — but Oweh’s fight showed something this team can build around. If Kentucky can get its guards healthy and let Oweh keep playing this way, the loss to Georgetown might end up being the wake-up call that pays off when March rolls around.
