A thought on Oweh

[KYAnywhereEverywhere]

On last year's team there was no one that could alpha dog Oweh, no one that could punk him in practice. Maybe Amari, but that didn't seem to be in his nature. This year we have guys that can and probably do punk Oweh in practice. Aberdeen can do what Oweh can do. Aberdeen could make Oweh look bad 1v1. Moreno and Dioubate certainly can stuff the ball back in Oweh's face. Chandler almost certainly has improved enough in skill and confidence to match Oweh 1v1 or at least in certain moments in practice. Williams and Johnson can probably both out drive and out shoot him. Oweh can't just bulldog his way through this year and I don't think he knows how to deal with the guys around him being able to match him at his game. He seems broken, and instead of getting better, powering through, he seems to be hanging his hat on swagger. Oweh isn't a vocal leader and I don't think the guys on this year's team are just going to defer to him in pressure situations.

Last year, if the team needed a play on offense the options were either a) give it to Oweh to drive or give it to Brea to shoot. This year's team ain't built like that.

(Full admission, this is my own conspiracy theory and is fully open to scrutiny)

 

[Kentucky15]

I have thought for a while the problem is we paid Aberdeen more, and he was brought in to be the man and a few players like Oweh didn’t like it. Remember it’s new that players transfer in conference. We brought in 2 guys Oweh was competing against last season and Aberdeen was probably paid more. If not paid the same and Oweh might not have realized it was coming.

I think it’s a clash of personalities and Oweh didn’t like them coming into his team and being seen as possible leaders. Again anyone who’s played knows how hard it is when you get guys on your team who you played against and imagine they were brought in to be option A, which you thought you were, but now you’re silently option B.

Very well could be the problem, easily. I do think Mark was signaling a problem which could be bigger than that, hopefully they turn a sharp corner and it disappears and we never know.

 

[buc puppet]

I just think unlike last year he isn’t surrounded by shooters. Last year there were open lanes everywhere. This year everything is coming much harder for him

 

[Kentucky15]

I just think unlike last year he isn’t surrounded by shooters. Last year there were open lanes everywhere. This year everything is coming much harder for him

Another likely problem.

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

On last year's team there was no one that could alpha dog Oweh, no one that could punk him in practice. Maybe Amari, but that didn't seem to be in his nature. This year we have guys that can and probably do punk Oweh in practice. Aberdeen can do what Oweh can do. Aberdeen could make Oweh look bad 1v1. Moreno and Dioubate certainly can stuff the ball back in Oweh's face. Chandler almost certainly has improved enough in skill and confidence to match Oweh 1v1 or at least in certain moments in practice. Williams and Johnson can probably both out drive and out shoot him. Oweh can't just bulldog his way through this year and I don't think he knows how to deal with the guys around him being able to match him at his game. He seems broken, and instead of getting better, powering through, he seems to be hanging his hat on swagger. Oweh isn't a vocal leader and I don't think the guys on this year's team are just going to defer to him in pressure situations.

Last year, if the team needed a play on offense the options were either a) give it to Oweh to drive or give it to Brea to shoot. This year's team ain't built like that.

(Full admission, this is my own conspiracy theory and is fully open to scrutiny)

There is the fact he is returning from an injury that tends linger awhile as well.

 

[kybassfan]

Tinfoil is on Aisle 3

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

It’s possible and I have no clue what’s going on. But the eye test suggest he’s sulking. He literally said it’s an effort issue. Idk if I’ve ever heard a player admit that.

I say sit his *** on the bench or send him down the road. Hes impacted this team negatively.

 

[theKybluedude]

I must have misjudged his game last night. I thought he looked pretty good getting back to his top flight game after his injury. 11 pts 5 RBs in 20 minutes.

 

[megablue]

I just think unlike last year he isn’t surrounded by shooters. Last year there were open lanes everywhere. This year everything is coming much harder for him

So far, I see this, too.

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

He came out and said it's an effort issue so I don't see how people can still blame injury.

 

[FilsonCat]

Oweh isn't the same dude, whatever has happened. He's not maximizing his time on the court. That's really what he has to do if he wants to turn it around this season. He has to fight for the long rebound, make the extra pass, and lock in and stay connected with his man on defense. That type of leadership is what the team needs to reach their potential. He'll get his points if he plays within the system and runs the sets. He's not tall enough and skilled enough to consistently play iso ball and get his points that way.

 

[kyjeff1]

I said it in another thread. I think his celebrity status went to his head. He has been playing like an A list actor who already put in the work and just had to show up with the shades on and the gold chains (Deion Sanders).
I don't blame him, look at all the praise he got over the summer, the NBA projections, then, the final piece, was him being voted pre season SEC POY. How could that not go to his head?
What he needs to understand is, he actually has to play much better this year. He’s the focus of every team we play and they are coming to shut him down with physicality.
Hopefully he understands this now.

 

[Catsfan2025]

On last year's team there was no one that could alpha dog Oweh, no one that could punk him in practice. Maybe Amari, but that didn't seem to be in his nature. This year we have guys that can and probably do punk Oweh in practice. Aberdeen can do what Oweh can do. Aberdeen could make Oweh look bad 1v1. Moreno and Dioubate certainly can stuff the ball back in Oweh's face. Chandler almost certainly has improved enough in skill and confidence to match Oweh 1v1 or at least in certain moments in practice. Williams and Johnson can probably both out drive and out shoot him. Oweh can't just bulldog his way through this year and I don't think he knows how to deal with the guys around him being able to match him at his game. He seems broken, and instead of getting better, powering through, he seems to be hanging his hat on swagger. Oweh isn't a vocal leader and I don't think the guys on this year's team are just going to defer to him in pressure situations.

Last year, if the team needed a play on offense the options were either a) give it to Oweh to drive or give it to Brea to shoot. This year's team ain't built like that.

(Full admission, this is my own conspiracy theory and is fully open to scrutiny)

LOL, Denzel can't do what Oweh does. Stop it. I would hope 6-7 and 7-0 foot guys could block his shot. BUT, he would absolutely cook Moreno off the dribble. 1/1 Oweh would smoke Chandler. There would be no open 3's and with Oweh's strength, it would be easy taking Chandler to the hole, it would be a wrap. Chandler can't handle the ball well enough to get by Oweh. JJ would not have a chance defending Oweh.

 

[Catsfan2025]

I just think unlike last year he isn’t surrounded by shooters. Last year there were open lanes everywhere. This year everything is coming much harder for him

Where was those shooters when he single handed took over games and won them last year ? He went straight at the teams interior defense and destroyed them. He had guys on him, no clear lanes, he earned it.

 

[Jtf2217]

I think that our decrease in 3 point percentage early really hurts oweh. Hard to drive and use the strength of your game when defenses are sagging into the lane because you haven't shown to be a legit threat from deep.
Last night especially in 1H the team was ripping 3's the defense had to hard contest which spreads the D and opens lanes to the basket.
Basketball is a simple game in theory just getting everyone to be able to do their job. The longer they do it the better they become at it.

 

[kyjeff1]

LOL, Denzel can't do what Oweh does. Stop it. I would hope 6-7 and 7-0 foot guys could block his shot. BUT, he would absolutely cook Moreno off the dribble. 1/1 Oweh would smoke Chandler. There would be no open 3's and with Oweh's strength, it would be easy taking Chandler to the hole, it would be a wrap. Chandler can't handle the ball well enough to get by Oweh. JJ would not have a chance defending Oweh.

These things might be true, but in order for them to be true, OO has to play with 100% effort.
If he brings his "too-cool-for-school" game, none if this stuff is true.

 

[kyjeff1]

Where was those shooters when he single handed took over games and won them last year ? He went straight at the teams interior defense and destroyed them. He had guys on him, no clear lanes, he earned it.

What games are you referring to? @ Oklahoma is one of them. He dominated late in the second half.
He had a game winner against Oklahoma in the SECT too, but he didn't "destroy" them. Oweh didn't really destroy anyone, the word "destroy" is a bit of an exaggeration.
Every player had their moments last year. Butler had his against Louisville, Brea had several, Carr played great against duke, Amari did it all year long and Chandler showed out @ Missouri.
But I wouldn't say anyone "destroyed" anyone.

 

[kybassfan]

He came out and said it's an effort issue so I don't see how people can still blame injury.

Let me hit your big toe with a hammer and let’s see you make the same effort.

 

[Catsfan2025]

What games are you referring to? @ Oklahoma is one of them. He dominated late in the second half.
He had a game winner against Oklahoma in the SECT too, but he didn't "destroy" them. Oweh didn't really destroy anyone, the word "destroy" is a bit of an exaggeration.
Every player had their moments last year. Butler had his against Louisville, Brea had several, Carr played great against duke, Amari did it all year long and Chandler showed out @ Missouri.
But I wouldn't say anyone "destroyed" anyone.

OK whatever makes you sleep at night. Without Oweh last year, UK goes nowhere. He had 14 20+ point games. DD's in all but 3 games. 50% FG and 36% 3FG, name another player last years that did even remotely close to what he did. You can't. Not to mention is was about the only player who could play defense.

 

[kyjeff1]

OK whatever makes you sleep at night. Without Oweh last year, UK goes nowhere. He had 14 20+ point games. DD's in all but 3 games. 50% FG and 36% 3FG, name another player last years that did even remotely close to what he did. You can't. Not to mention is was about the only player who could play defense.

The way UK's team was built last year, there was no true stand out. Each guy had a role, Butler, Carr, Amari, Brea and Robinson all had a role to play, none of them could do what any of the others were great at. Oweh was no better, or worse than any of the others.

 

[FLBBNFAN]

It’s possible and I have no clue what’s going on. But the eye test suggest he’s sulking. He literally said it’s an effort issue. Idk if I’ve ever heard a player admit that.

I say sit his *** on the bench or send him down the road. Hes impacted this team negatively.

Yes its reasonable to say his toe is still bothering him. Also we have a bunch of new guys that are learning to play together.

With that being said I dont thinks it out of line to say he's butt hurt over not being on the draft board this summer. It was pretty obvious that's what he wanted. He also has guys around him that are more NBA suited.

I think Johnson, Williams and Chandler all have better qualities to play at the next level versus Oweh. No doubt they all have to keep improving their game but personally I think they have a better game overall. Aberdeen may very well be on a draft board next year as well.

 

[Kentucky15]

He came out and said it's an effort issue so I don't see how people can still blame injury.

To me Oweh hasn’t been the same since his injury last season. Go back and watch his games early in the season. Those aren’t the same players. Looks different runs different drives different. He caught that injury last season and to me hasn’t fully recovered. That’s definitely at this point not a valid excuse any longer which is why I don’t say it. But it probably played a role to a point and now it’s in his head, among other issues.

Very well could be this problem is fixable early and we laugh at how much we jumped the gun. But I think his turf toe is still a lingering problem even still.

 

[KYAnywhereEverywhere]

I have thought for a while the problem is we paid Aberdeen more, and he was brought in to be the man and a few players like Oweh didn’t like it. Remember it’s new that players transfer in conference. We brought in 2 guys Oweh was competing against last season and Aberdeen was probably paid more. If not paid the same and Oweh might not have realized it was coming.

I think it’s a clash of personalities and Oweh didn’t like them coming into his team and being seen as possible leaders. Again anyone who’s played knows how hard it is when you get guys on your team who you played against and imagine they were brought in to be option A, which you thought you were, but now you’re silently option B.

Very well could be the problem, easily. I do think Mark was signaling a problem which could be bigger than that, hopefully they turn a sharp corner and it disappears and we never know.

I am a big fan of this explanation. I don't know any more than any other Tom, Dick, or Harry, but this makes a lot of sense.

 

[Tayshaun4Three]

he will figure it out

 

[Dead Cat Bounce]

I just think unlike last year he isn’t surrounded by shooters. Last year there were open lanes everywhere. This year everything is coming much harder for him

Are you the poster from the old board that had the Tampa Bay Bucs icon in your profile pic?

 

[buc puppet]

Are you the poster from the old board that had the Tampa Bay Bucs icon in your profile pic?

Nope. But I do remember that guy. Go Bucs tho

 

[Dead Cat Bounce]

Nope. But I do remember that guy. Go Bucs tho

Thanks

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

He came out and said it's an effort issue so I don't see how people can still blame injury.

The injury obviously set his conditioning back for one thing.

 

[Cats192]

I stay concerned at his lack of an attack mode. Like, he's just out there so much on offense.

Some of these cupcake games--that's where he should be in constant attack mode, getting to the rim and establishing himself as the guy. And he's just not. He had a really solid 1st half in the last game--9 points. Then finished with 11 points. And I get it, it's a blow out. But for a guy who has just looked mid as can be against Louisville and MSU--You'd like to see him use these other games to prove he is who people thought he is. And...he's not.

 

[Goingfor9]

I have thought for a while the problem is we paid Aberdeen more, and he was brought in to be the man and a few players like Oweh didn’t like it. Remember it’s new that players transfer in conference. We brought in 2 guys Oweh was competing against last season and Aberdeen was probably paid more. If not paid the same and Oweh might not have realized it was coming.

I think it’s a clash of personalities and Oweh didn’t like them coming into his team and being seen as possible leaders. Again anyone who’s played knows how hard it is when you get guys on your team who you played against and imagine they were brought in to be option A, which you thought you were, but now you’re silently option B.

Very well could be the problem, easily. I do think Mark was signaling a problem which could be bigger than that, hopefully they turn a sharp corner and it disappears and we never know.

Money is closer to the problem with Oweh but it’s because he wants to be making by pro money and not be going to class. I don’t think Oweh wants to be in college. He really believed he could make an nba roster. His brother is a pro. I think that’s the mentality with him. His shot is worse. I don’t know what op is talking about but we had very good players last year and I wouldn’t classify this group as individually better. I don’t think Oweh cares about AA or POY he cares about developing the areas he needs for the pros. If anything Oweh was probably hoping for more alpha dogs (another lame or overused term). He was probably hoping for more guys to sharpen iron on and guys who take the pressure from him so he can work on his game.

 

[Kentucky15]

Money is closer to the problem with Oweh but it’s because he wants to be making by pro money and not be going to class. I don’t think Oweh wants to be in college. He really believed he could make an nba roster. His brother is a pro. I think that’s the mentality with him. His shot is worse. I don’t know what op is talking about but we had very good players last year and I wouldn’t classify this group as individually better. I don’t think Oweh cares about AA or POY he cares about developing the areas he needs for the pros. If anything Oweh was probably hoping for more alpha dogs (another lame or overused term). He was probably hoping for more guys to sharpen iron on and guys who take the pressure from him so he can work on his game.

Hate to say it because I like Oweh, but that was a miss by Pope to built the team around.

To me I think Mark needs to get players to fit what he wants and stop adapting. Right now it’s not working. Mark doesn’t seem to coach these types of teams well, he did much better when he just went after his bread and butter.

One thing is clear, the players aren’t responding to whatever he’s doing and the pieces don’t know what they’re doing. Guys are completely lost on the court. Not sure if this is a Mark issue or he just missed when recruiting personalities. More will come out after the season

 

[Woodrow24]

I’m hoping since it’s still early in the season that Oweh starts playing better. It was a lot easier for him last year since Pope had guys that fit his offense better. Even though he had less time to recruit last year, I feel like those guys fit his system a lot better. It was easier for someone like Oweh to drive to the basket with good shooters around him