Kentucky guard Otega Oweh is preparing for a meaningful return to Norman, Oklahoma, as the Wildcats take on the Sooners on Wednesday night. The junior guard spent two seasons with the Sooners before transferring to Kentucky, making this a unique and emotional matchup for him.

During his two-year stint at Oklahoma, Oweh was a key contributor, averaging 8.3 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. His aggressive style of play and defensive prowess made him a fan favorite, but now he finds himself on the other side, facing his former team for the first time since transferring.

Despite the natural emotions that come with returning to his old school, Oweh is approaching the game with a level-headed mindset. “I’m excited just to get back out there, be on the court again, have a chance to respond,” Oweh told reporters on Tuesday. He acknowledged that he’s unsure of how the Oklahoma crowd will react to his return but is looking forward to playing in front of familiar faces. “I was there two years. It’s gonna be a nice feeling to have my family there too.”

While playing against a former team can add extra motivation, Oweh is staying focused on treating this game like any other.

“Every player who plays their old school, obviously they want to do well. They’re excited for that game,” he said. “It really is just a regular game. I feel like you can’t tie too much emotion to it, because that’s how you become inconsistent and overthink.”

Oweh’s consistency has been a defining factor for Kentucky this season, making him one of the Wildcats’ most reliable players. Even with the added personal significance of this matchup, he’s determined to maintain the same approach he’s had all year. “Since the beginning of the season, I’ve just been trying to focus on one game at a time and just putting all my effort into each game,” Oweh explained. “Not looking at it as who we’re playing, what the matchup is, because that’s when you create inconsistencies. I’m just looking at it all the same.”

Oweh and Kentucky will need a strong performance against a tough Oklahoma team as they continue to battle in the competitive SEC race. With his return to Norman, all eyes will be on Oweh to see how he responds in a familiar but now opposing environment. Whether the Sooners’ crowd welcomes him with cheers or boos, the focus for Oweh remains the same—helping Kentucky secure a key victory on the road.