Otega Oweh believes UK players are learning they have to do more than make shots to help the team win. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Otega Oweh was named the SEC Preseason Player of the Year but has not played to that standard this season, especially during UK’s losses to Louisville and Michigan State. He didn’t deny hearing the criticism from fans and the media.
“It’s gonna happen. There’s going to be outside noise if we win, outside noise if we lose. We just have to not let it bother us,” Oweh said. “Obviously, we are in a position where everything we do is like, there’s a comment on everything we do, so we just can’t worry about it. If we win or lose, it’s always going to be people talking. Just have to bounce back.”
Oweh said “everyone” made a conscientious effort to do his part in leading the team after those losses when Kentucky trailed by 20 or more points in both games.
“Adversity always brings teams together. Just because you know when things are going well, it’s easy to be happy, easy to be joyful, but when sh!! hit the fan you have to turn to your brothers and really lean in,” Oweh said.
Oweh said players have to understand that even if they are not making shots there are other ways to help a team win.
“We’re a young team, so that may be hard to understand at first, but I feel like we’re starting to understand that. Just playing for each other. If you’re not being effective in one way, you got to find another way to be effective,” Oweh said. “You’ll be on the court, so you got to do something to help the team win.”
3 Responses
I beg to differ. Oweh is definitely trying to live up to SEC POY expectations. Dioubate is trying to prove that he is an effective 3 point shooter; he is not. Lowe is still trying to play like he did at Pittsburgh; he is at Kentucky and has a new role that he does not relish. Garrison thinks he is a better player than Moreno; he is not. All 4 were starters at the beginning of the season; Oweh is the last to retain that role, but the verdict is still out. Entitlement best describes Kentucky's lack of chemistry and up to now, Pope has refused to call them out on it. Playing time should always be earned, not guaranteed. We have a month left before SEC play. Start playing Quaintance against North Carolina. Start Jelavic at the 4 and let JQ gradually earn PT at that spot. Start Moreno at the 5, Oweh at the 3, Chandler at the 2 and Johnson at the point. Then identify a maximum of 5 players who will be the backups at greatly reduced minutes and tell the other 3 that they are insurance players.
Id be willing to bet these guys live on their phones..how do you block outside noise?
It's nothing new it happens every year regardless. I remember when Joe Hall was the coach there was a of talk then, just wasn't as advertised like today's news.
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