After Kentucky’s thrilling 85-84 victory over Oklahoma in the SEC Tournament, which extended into the early hours of Friday morning, head coach Mark Pope, along with players Otega Oweh and Koby Brea, emerged from the locker room. As they walked toward the post game press conference, Pope addressed the two players ahead of him, saying, “SEC Tournament is pretty fun, huh?” Their reaction summed up the wild emotions of the night, with Brea admitting, “I’m still in disbelief at what just happened.”
The game, which tipped off at 10:46 p.m. EDT and ended after 1 a.m., was a rollercoaster of emotions. Kentucky started strong, hitting their first five shots and stifling Oklahoma’s early possessions. However, the game settled into a tense battle that saw multiple twists. One of the most significant moments was the injury of Kentucky’s starting point guard, Lamont Butler, who hurt his left shoulder mid-way through the first half. This injury raised concerns about the rest of his season, leaving the Wildcats to rally without their leader.
Despite Butler’s absence, Kentucky maintained its “next-man-up” mentality, with Oweh noting, “We just had to keep on fighting.” The game saw Kentucky build a small lead at halftime, but the Sooners quickly fought back. The Cats had a strong stretch, including an 11-0 run led by Oweh’s three-pointer, but the game took another dramatic turn. With just over a minute left, Kentucky seemed poised to win, holding a 10-point lead, but a series of turnovers allowed Oklahoma to close the gap rapidly. In the final seconds, Oklahoma took an 84-83 lead on a driving layup from Jeremiah Fears, putting Kentucky on the brink of a devastating loss.
However, in a stunning turn, Kentucky executed a perfect final play. After a timeout, freshman Trent Noah inbounded the ball to Oweh, who sprinted up the court. Despite being trapped by Oklahoma defenders, Oweh skillfully maneuvered through the pressure, evading three Sooners and hitting a contested shot with 0.5 seconds left. His game-winner sealed the victory, and Oweh’s 27-point performance capped off a memorable moment for him, especially given his prior success against Oklahoma earlier in the season.
Pope called the moment “March magic,” emphasizing how his players stayed focused despite the chaos. Oweh’s two clutch performances against his former team were described as cinematic, with his teammates reflecting on how surreal the experience felt. For the Wildcats, this victory marked a significant milestone in their first SEC Tournament appearance, showcasing the overwhelming support of Big Blue Nation. Oweh, visibly moved by the crowd’s energy, acknowledged how special the moment was, saying, “It’s just definitely a blessing to be here and be playing for the state of Kentucky.” The win was more than just a victory; it was a moment that would be etched in their memories for years to come.