Basketball has a way of creating heroes and heartbreakers in the span of mere seconds. On Thursday night in Nashville, Otega Oweh became both. With 5.6 seconds left, Oklahoma had seemingly completed a miracle comeback. Jeremiah Fears’ layup had just given the Sooners an 84-83 lead. But Oweh, a former Sooner now donning Kentucky blue, had one more act left in his script. He sprinted down the court, took the baseline Oklahoma left open, and drilled a contested jumper with just 0.5 seconds left. The ball dropped through the net, sealing an 85-84 Kentucky victory and sending Oklahoma home from their first-ever SEC Tournament. yet, it wasn’t only his performance at the centre of attraction.
At the postgame press conference, Moser couldn’t hold back the emotion. His voice wavered. His eyes welled with tears. This wasn’t just about losing. It was about who had delivered the final blow.
OU head coach Porter Moser is in tears at the podium.
— Aaron Gershon (@agershon99) March 14, 2025
Oweh was supposed to be part of Oklahoma’s future, part of the foundation Moser was building. Instead, he was the one who sent them home. And the pain didn’t just come from this game. Two weeks ago, Oweh had done the same thing—hitting a euro-stepping dagger to lift Kentucky over Oklahoma, 83-82.
Twice. In two weeks. But this wasn’t just about revenge. Oweh didn’t just beat his old team—he took over. He dropped 27 points, flashing the relentless energy, defensive toughness, and clutch gene that had made him one of the most dangerous players in the SEC.
For Kentucky fans, this was the moment they had been waiting for. A star to emerge under new head coach Mark Pope. And Oweh proved he was that guy.
His final shot wasn’t just about advancing Kentucky. It was about rewriting his own story. He wasn’t just another transfer looking for a fresh start. He was the moment. So when Moser sat there, holding back tears, it wasn’t just about a tough loss. It was about what could have been.
Because the player who ended Oklahoma’s season? He was supposed to be theirs. Instead, he walked away—and came back to break their hearts. Twice.
What if Otega Oweh had stayed? the painful ‘what-if’ for Oklahoma Sooners
A painful reminder. Just last season, he was one of them—wearing crimson and cream, flashing moments of brilliance, showing glimpses of the star he was becoming. But instead of being Oklahoma’s hero, he became their heartbreak. Twice.
Oweh isn’t just a scorer. He’s a game-changer. At 6’5”, with explosive athleticism and a relentless motor, he plays with an energy that shifts momentum on both ends of the floor. His defensive versatility? Elite. His ability to create his own shot? Something Oklahoma desperately needed in those final moments against Kentucky.
Since transferring to Kentucky, Oweh has flourished, averaging 16.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. His efficiency has been impressive—49.2% from the field, 34.8% from three. And when the game is on the line, he doesn’t just show up—he delivers. Just ask Oklahoma, the team he buried with a baseline jumper at the buzzer in the SEC Tournament.
Jan 11, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Travis Perry (11), forward Andrew Carr (7), and guard Otega Oweh (0) react after a basket against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second half at Humphrey Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images
Meanwhile, the Sooners have struggled with consistency, leaning heavily on Jeremiah Fears, who dropped 28 points in their loss to Kentucky. But even with Fears’ heroics, Oklahoma came up just short. Would things have been different if Oweh had stayed? Would he have been the extra spark, the closer they needed in a high-pressure SEC season?
Beyond the stats, Oweh’s presence alone could have been a stabilizing force for a Sooners team adjusting to a new conference. He knew the system. He knew the locker room. He had already built the chemistry that takes time to develop. Instead, Oklahoma had to watch from the other side as he became the very player who sent them home.
Losing a talented player always stings. Losing one who then beats you? That’s a different kind of pain. But one thing is clear—Otega Oweh was exactly the kind of player the Sooners needed. Instead of leading them to victory, he became the reason they walked off the court in heartbreak.
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