Otega Oweh played 22 minutes at Alabama but did not attempt a free throw. (Vicky Graff Photo)
By LARRY VAUGHT
For the first time this season, Otega Oweh did not score in double figures in Kentucky’s loss at Alabama Saturday night.
He was 1-for-9 from the field in 22 minutes before fouling out. He did have six rebounds, two assists, and two steals even though he had just two points.
After the game, Kentucky coach Mark Pope was asked about Alabama’s defense on Oweh in the physical game.
“Are you baiting me into an answer here? I think Alabama is a terrific defensive team,” Pope said and left it alone after that.
Alabama coach Nate Oats was a bit more talkative about his team’s defense on Oweh.
“It was the first time he hadn’t scored in double digits the entire year. He was the only player in the SEC, I believe, coming into this game that had scored in double digits every single game,” Oats said. “The foul trouble helped us. But even if he hadn’t fouled out, he was 1-of-9 in 22 minutes.
“So even if he plays 30 minutes, he only Has two points. So I thought we did a pretty good job. I think we’ve got enough versatility on defense that if our guys would get locked into the scouting report and play with maximum effort, we should be a significantly better defensive team than what we’ve shown in the past.
“Because you got Jarin Stevenson at 6-10 that can move, that can chase shooters, that can make shooters shoot over him. You got Dioubate that’s as strong as can be, that can move and switch and guard one through five. Youngblood is a veteran guy who’s super strong, who’s not going to get screened, can guard strong guys like Oweh.
“We’ve got defensive versatility that I’ve just got to do a better job. This is on me, our defense. I haven’t held them accountable enough on the defensive end. That’s why you saw eight subs in the first six minutes. So we’re going to do a better job holding them accountable on that end of the floor.”
3 Responses
We play in the SEC. The league does not want to be known as Kentucky and others. It does not get many teams in the NCAA tournament that way. Kentucky usually has superior talent. The only way to offset Kentucky’s talent is to allow teams to play karate defense against them on their home courts. I honestly believe it is a directive that has been communicated not only to the other SEC schools, but also to the refs who call SEC games. Can I prove this…No; but look at how every team plays us on their home court. We are getting hammered by everyone, yet the fouls somehow always seem to come out even. Now granted, we have and still do have some defensive issues, but every road game we play in the SEC has the deck stacked against us by virtue of the refs making selective calls on one end of the floor and swallowing their whistles on the other end. SEC basketball is not about getting an education anymore. It is certainly not concerned with fairness. It is all about money. I think it’s time for Kentucky to become an independent athletic program where we can schedule good teams but not have to deal with the agenda that comes with playing in a conference.
Grade “A” synopsis and recommendations.
Ever since Adolph out UK BB on the international map (NCAA Chanps, Olympic Champs) with dominance, the ncaa cronies & SEC cronies have worked overtime trying to hammer down UK.
The UK AD with a pool of the best lawyers is the only way this can be addressed, exposed and dealt with in a conclusive way.
Bama did have a good defensive gameplan, but Oweh does play out of control a lot and we do not have good closing skills at the basket. We also don’t have anyone that can consistently make a jumper around the key. We are what we are but still should have 20 wins with the quality we have and the injuries.
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