Kentucky coach Mark Pope will look for an even faster Wildcats lineup that can find 30-35 three-point shots per game. Photo courtesy of UK Athletics.

Nothing CAT-astropic!! Guard Otega Oweh is the center and the catalyst of Kentucky’s 2025-26 basketball team, so when he struggled with turf toe leading up to preseason practice, there was a sigh in the Big Blue Nation and then a collective exhale. According to medical professionals, Oweh should be ready to go with no limits when the Wildcats host Nicholls on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Guard Otega Oweh is the SEC Preseason Player of the Year. Photo courtesy of UK Athletics.

Oweh was second team all-SEC last year when he averaged 16.8 points and shot 35.1 percent from behind the three-point line. He passed 1,00 points during the SEC Tournament, and he scored a layup on a speed dribble to allow the ‘Cats an 85-84 win over Oklahoma in the first game of the SEC Tournament.

“We’re just moving him back into the rotation,” explained Kentucky coach Mark Pope, who noted the Oweh had been out for about 10 weeks. “He actually was in practice a couple of days ago in his first live scrimmage, really his first possession of live scrimmage.”

Oweh is competitive, which motivates his teammates to feed off his energy.

“He’s been through this,” Pope explained. “He understands it. He knows what he’s in for. He understands the pressure of the moment; he understands everything that Kentucky is. He embraces it. He can’t get enough of it.”

Rivalry Accepted: Guard Denzel Aberdeen came over to Kentucky from Florida, where he was a key contributor in the Gators’ rotation last season. He averaged 19.8 minutes per game last season, where he repeatedly broke down defenses and made excellent decisions as a playmaker.

Aberdeen is likely to start at point guard or small forward, while Oweh will be the 2-guard and shooting guard. Kentucky awaits the return of Pitt transfer Jaland Lowe at the point, which will feed Aberdeen into that 3-guard spot.

“Denzel is the embodiment of this joy and passion to compete. I think everywhere he’s gone in his career I think he’s left fans incredibly inspired.”

Oweh looks forward to sharing the backcourt with Aberdeen.

“Denzel has been shooting the leather off the ball, and his playmaking, along with his toughness, give him a great competitive spirit about the game,” Oweh said.

The World of Three: Kentucky averaged 25.3 attempted triples a year ago and with this incoming group, Wildcats brass look for more this season.

“One of the things that we found interesting in our research this summer is that top teams defensively actually extend out the defensive possession longer, almost eight seconds, universally for top 10, top 20 teams,” Pope commented. “We’re trying to extend out this game on our defensive side of the ball and make it faster and more aggressive on the offensive side of the ball.”

Kentucky could look for more than 30 three-point attempts per game.

“This group might not have come in with the reputation as being as prolific three-point shooters as some of the guys we brought in last year,” Pope said. “The progress they made every single week during the summer was remarkable. We have some guys that are shooting the ball at such an elite level right now, it’s pretty inspiring.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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