Otega Oweh Says He’s Fired Up to Play Alongside Mo Dioubate After Battling Against Him in Last Season’s Clash

When a new college basketball season rolls around, roster changes and player movement are nothing new, especially in today’s era of the transfer portal. But while most headlines focus on departures and arrivals, it’s not every day you get a player like Otega Oweh sharing just how excited he is—not about who he’s playing against, but who he’s now playing with. For Oweh, the arrival of Mo Dioubate to the Kentucky Wildcats isn’t just a solid addition to the roster; it’s the start of what he believes could be a powerful on-court partnership forged from mutual respect and intense competition.

Last season, Oweh and Dioubate found themselves on opposing benches in a hard-fought game that stuck with both players. Dioubate, then playing for UAB, brought relentless energy, a physical edge, and a workmanlike approach that made life tough for any opponent who crossed his path. Oweh, who had earned his own reputation as a two-way weapon, remembers the matchup vividly—not for what went wrong, but for what it revealed.

“That game stuck in my mind,” Oweh said in a recent media availability. “Mo doesn’t take plays off. Every time I touched the ball, he was there—bodying up, contesting, making everything uncomfortable. I love that kind of pressure. I respected it immediately.”

In that game, Oweh and Dioubate went back and forth in a physical battle that extended beyond the stat sheet. Oweh, ever the competitor, appreciates not just what Dioubate did defensively but also the emotional tone he set for his team. And now, he’s not just sharing the court with him—he’s learning from him.

“When I heard we were getting Mo, I smiled,” Oweh said. “I told a few of the guys, ‘That’s someone you hate to play against, but you’ll love having him on your side.’ He’s got that edge, that motor that doesn’t quit. And you notice it from Day One.”

Dioubate’s arrival at Kentucky is more than just another transfer story. It signals a cultural infusion—one that aligns perfectly with what head coach Mark Pope is building in Lexington. Pope, known for his ability to foster tough, cohesive units, now gets to watch two of the most driven players in college basketball team up.

For Oweh, who is expected to take on a larger leadership role this season, Dioubate is more than a welcome addition; he’s a new type of partner in the trenches. “He’s vocal, man,” Oweh laughed. “He gets in your face in practice—in a good way. He’ll challenge you to do more, to stay locked in. That kind of accountability is rare.”

There’s also a mutual understanding between the two about the stakes of this season. Kentucky isn’t just looking to compete—they’re looking to reassert themselves nationally, to remind people that the Wildcats are always a threat. And Oweh believes that Dioubate’s blue-collar approach can help re-establish a grittier identity for this year’s squad.

“Every championship team needs that guy who will dive on the floor, box out hard, and never care about the box score,” Oweh explained. “Mo’s that guy. But don’t get it twisted—he’s skilled too. He’s got touch, he sees the floor well, and he can move his feet like a guard.”

Dioubate’s journey to Kentucky, like many players in the portal, came after careful evaluation. But what made him different was how quickly he won over the locker room. Oweh noted that within days of arriving on campus, Dioubate’s voice already carried weight.

“He came in and didn’t try to be something he’s not,” Oweh said. “He wasn’t flashy or trying to be loud—he just worked. First one in, last one out. That earns respect fast.”

Beyond practice, their chemistry is beginning to show in off-court moments as well. Whether it’s in the weight room, during film sessions, or simply hanging out around campus, Oweh and Dioubate have found common ground. Both value defense. Both understand sacrifice. And both know that being great individually only means something if it helps the team win.

“There’s no ego with him,” Oweh said. “And that’s what makes this special. He’s coming here to win, not just to pad stats. Same mindset I have. It makes everything easier.”

Oweh’s transition into more of a lead role also means helping new players get up to speed. With Dioubate, he doesn’t need to worry much. “It’s like having another coach on the floor,” he said. “If someone misses a rotation, Mo’s the first to say it. Not to call them out, but to help fix it. That’s leadership.”

But make no mistake—just because they’re teammates now doesn’t mean Oweh is forgetting the intensity of last year’s battle. If anything, it fuels his motivation.

“I remember late in the second half, he stripped me clean,” Oweh recalled. “I was trying to set something up, and he just took it. That’s when I knew he was different. I wasn’t even mad. I just said, ‘Okay, this guy’s for real.’ Now we get to turn that energy into something positive.”

Fans at Rupp Arena are already buzzing about what this team could look like. With returning talent like Oweh, an injection of toughness from Dioubate, and a handful of other skilled additions, expectations are quietly building. But for Oweh, it’s about more than hype.

“We’ve got to earn everything,” he said. “There’s no shortcuts. That’s the mindset me and Mo bring every day.”

It’s clear that for Oweh, the experience of playing against Dioubate has only heightened his appreciation for having him as a teammate. And as preseason practices continue to build toward game action, Oweh can already see the impact Dioubate is having on the team’s attitude.

“Guys are more locked in,” he said. “You feel it in the drills, in the communication. Mo brings that edge that says, ‘We’re not going through the motions.’ He holds you to a standard.”

That kind of leadership is contagious. And it could be the spark Kentucky needs to flip the script after a rocky few seasons. With Oweh’s explosiveness and Dioubate’s grit, the Wildcats have a foundation built on heart, hustle, and hunger. It’s a dangerous combination.

As Oweh put it best: “We went at it last year. Now, we’re going at it together. That should scare people.”

From rivals to teammates, Otega Oweh and Mo Dioubate are writing a new chapter for Kentucky basketball—one forged in competition, grounded in respect, and fueled by a shared mission to bring winning basketball back to the forefront in Lexington. And if their early chemistry is any indication, Big Blue Nation is in for a season that’s as intense as it is inspiring.