Otega Oweh didn’t just help Kentucky close out nonconference play with a win — he showed a version of his game that could shape the Wildcats’ season moving forward.
In Kentucky’s 99–85 victory over Bellarmine on Tuesday, Oweh delivered the most complete performance of his Wildcats career. The senior guard finished with a career-high 10 assists, the most by any Kentucky player this season, while still impacting the game across the stat sheet.
Playmaking has been a clear point of emphasis for Oweh entering the 2025–26 season. Through 13 games, he’s averaging 2.8 assists per contest, a noticeable increase from last year, and against Bellarmine, that growth was on full display.
Mark Pope didn’t hesitate to challenge him after the game.
“I want that every night,” Pope said. “Otega has been trying to become an MP4T guy — Make Plays For Teammates — and when he does that, it changes our offense.
With Jaland Lowe sidelined to rest his injured shoulder, Kentucky needed guards to step into larger creation roles. Jasper Johnson responded with seven assists, and others chipped in, but Oweh was the engine, especially against Bellarmine’s zone defense.
Seven of his 10 assists came after halftime, directly leading to 24 Kentucky points. He repeatedly found Mo Dioubate for finishes in the paint and set up Kam Williams for three of his eight made three-pointers. None of the passes were flashy — just smart reads and timely decisions that kept Kentucky in control.
Oweh nearly posted a triple-double, finishing with 10 points, eight rebounds, and two steals in 33 minutes. He also posted a team-best +14 plus/minus and extended his streak of double-digit scoring to every game this season.
That stat line placed him in elite Kentucky company. Oweh became just the second Wildcat in program history to record at least 10 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds, and two steals in a single game. The only other player to do it? De’Aaron Fox.
Oweh admitted he was aware of how close he was to the triple-double, but the win mattered more.
“I just wanted to play hard and bring energy,” he said. “I was short, but I’ll take the win.”
For Kentucky, the significance goes beyond one night against Bellarmine. If Oweh consistently embraces the MP4T role Pope is pushing him toward, the Wildcats gain a steadier offense, better spacing, and a higher ceiling as SEC play approaches.
Mark Pope made it clear: what Oweh showed Tuesday isn’t a bonus — it’s the expectation.
