Otega Oweh joined the Kentucky Wildcats last summer and quickly learned the significant rivalry between Kentucky and Louisville. His debut in the matchup was a thrilling experience, as Kentucky clinched a 93-85 victory at Rupp Arena last season. Recalling the intensity of the atmosphere, Oweh remarked, “It was a great environment, especially since it was at home last year. The red versus blue is really cool.”
Reflecting on memorable moments from that game, Oweh highlighted an incident involving teammate Brandon Garrison, who found himself immersed near the Louisville bench. “I would say (Brandon Garrison), when he was in the fire at their bench. We were just all out there,” Oweh shared.
As the No. 9 Wildcats prepare for their upcoming clash against the 12th-ranked Cardinals this Tuesday night at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, Oweh is aware of the challenges that come with playing on the road. However, he embraces the competition, stating, “It’s good to be a good away game. I kind of like away games because when you win, it means a little more when you win on your opponent’s turf.”
Oweh also spoke about the dynamics of competing in hostile environments, mentioning how opposing fans often use negativity to influence performance. He stated, “They obviously say a lot of negative things trying to get you to play bad. So, it makes you not want to play bad. So, I definitely feed off of it.”
As a senior, Oweh brings experience from numerous challenging arenas and understands that when the pressure mounts, teamwork becomes essential. “In situations like that, you have just got to look at your teammates and look at the people who are going to work with you,” he noted. “Championship teams do well on the road.”
This season, Kentucky faces a daunting nonconference schedule featuring opponents like Michigan State, Gonzaga, North Carolina, Indiana, and St. John’s. With the intense rivalry against Louisville looming, the Wildcats are gearing up for a pivotal test in the Derby City, underscoring their determination as they embark on a challenging path in pursuit of excellence.