Despite Otega Oweh being "more efficient than ever," Mark Pope demands more aggression

Otega Oweh has been Kentucky’s most reliable and productive player this season. However, like everyone else, there is always room to improve.

Oweh’s playstyle can be unpolished at times, requiring Wildcats coach Mark Pope to give him more freedom than other players to maximize his effectiveness.

“What we’re trying to do (with Oweh), is we’re trying to just narrow these parameters where we’re still going to bounce between the two walls,” Pope said on Thursday. “But our accuracy is going to become a little bit more higher percentage, if that makes sense.”

The 6-foot-4 junior guard currently leads Kentucky in scoring, averaging 15.7 points per game, along with 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.6 steals. Despite his high usage rate, Oweh has managed to commit only 12 turnovers across 15 games.

“It’s making live reads,” Pope said. “He’s actually getting better and better at it. He’s still in the top seven percentile of most efficient players in the country. He’s more efficient than he’s ever been before, by far.”

The first-year coach reiterated similar remarks following Kentucky’s thrilling 106-100 victory over No. 6 Florida in its first SEC win inside a packed Rupp Arena.

“Otega is interesting. Otega breaks some of our rules,” Pope said. “He is one of those guys where from time to time I have to close my eyes and look away and don't change it and just accept it that this is just Otega being Otega.”

Before joining Kentucky, Otega Oweh played for the Oklahoma Sooners, where he averaged 11.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, shooting 49.3% from the field. He also shot 37.7% from 3-point range, further fueling Pope’s interest in him.

Otega Oweh Shines Despite Loss to Georgia

Kentucky split its first two conference games, falling to Georgia on Tuesday night as the Bulldogs secured an 82-69 victory—their first win over a top-10 opponent in five years.

Otega Oweh showcased his versatility with seven rebounds, two blocks, two steals and one assist. However, he struggled offensively, scoring just 12 points on 3-of-13 shooting from the field.

The Wildcats, who had previously topped 100 points in five games and averaged 90.2 points per game, experienced an offensive slump. They trailed 47-34 at halftime and couldn’t close the gap.

Moreover, the Wildcats struggled offensively, shooting only 24 of 64 (37.5%) from the field and a mere 6 of 25 (24.0%) from 3-point range. Georgia capitalized at the free-throw line, converting 29 of 38 attempts, while Kentucky managed 15 of 19.

Kentucky and Otega Oweh will look to bounce back when they visit No. 14 Mississippi State on Saturday.