Fans Go Crazy Following Kentucky’s Scrimmage Victory with “Start Oweh Now!” Mark Pope’s practice wasn’t a joke, and he has since made the announcement
The energy inside Rupp Arena was nothing short of electric. From the first whistle to the final buzzer, Kentucky basketball fans had their eyes locked on the team, but one player in particular stole the spotlight. It wasn’t one of the veterans or the big-name recruits everyone expected to dominate the headlines—it was freshman phenom Karter Oweh, whose explosive performance during the closed-door scrimmage left coaches, teammates, and fans alike buzzing. Social media erupted almost immediately after the final buzzer, with “Start Oweh Now!” trending within minutes. It wasn’t just a scrimmage. For Oweh, it was a coming-out party, and for new head coach Mark Pope, it was the moment everything shifted.
The scrimmage, intended to be a routine tune-up, turned into a full-scale showcase of what this new-look Kentucky team could become. Pope’s first few months on the job had been filled with questions about style, leadership, and how he would handle the transition from BYU to one of the most scrutinized programs in college basketball. But in that gym, in front of select insiders, boosters, and media members who managed to get in, the answers started to form—fast, loud, and above the rim.
Oweh, standing 6-foot-6 with a wingspan that seems to stretch the length of the court, wasted no time making an impression. He opened the scrimmage with a thunderous dunk in transition, igniting the crowd and the bench alike. A few minutes later, he followed it up with a catch-and-shoot three-pointer that barely rippled the net. His poise, athleticism, and court awareness looked like that of a junior, not a true freshman. On defense, he hounded opposing guards, disrupted passing lanes, and showcased the kind of energy that coaches dream of. Every possession seemed to feature him—either scoring, assisting, or forcing a turnover. By halftime, whispers of “he’s got to start” were already spreading through the stands. By the final buzzer, it was a full-on chant.
Mark Pope, never one to get swept up in hype, remained composed in the post-scrimmage presser. But his grin gave him away. “He’s special,” Pope said simply when asked about Oweh. “He plays like he’s been here before. He listens. He absorbs. And he competes.” Still, Pope stopped short of announcing anything official that day. Kentucky fans weren’t willing to wait.
Within hours, Twitter/X was alight with highlight clips, fan theories, and debates. “Start Oweh Now!” wasn’t just a trending phrase—it was a demand. Some fans compared the excitement to the early days of John Wall or Anthony Davis, noting that Oweh might not carry the same recruiting pedigree but possessed the same spark, the same swagger that makes Kentucky basketball what it is. And in Lexington, spark matters.
The following days were a blur. National media picked up on the buzz, and podcasts dedicated entire segments to the “Oweh Effect.” Recruiting analysts scrambled to reassess their rankings. Even former UK players chimed in, praising the young guard’s motor and maturity. The pressure built. Would Pope cave to public demand, or would he stick to his methodical process?
Pope, for his part, took the week to review film, hold individual meetings, and let the dust settle. But it became clear that the choice wasn’t really about public pressure—it was about performance. And Karter Oweh had simply outperformed everyone.
At a follow-up press conference packed wall-to-wall with reporters and cameras, Pope made it official. “Yes,” he said. “Karter will be starting. He’s earned it. This is Kentucky. You don’t wait here—you rise.”
The room erupted. Pope didn’t need to say more. He knew what that statement meant—not just for Oweh, but for the team, the program, and the fans hungry for something real.
Oweh’s journey to this moment has been anything but typical. Not ranked in the top five nationally, he came into Kentucky as a somewhat under-the-radar recruit, known more for his potential than polish. But those who watched him closely in high school and AAU circles saw flashes of something different—a relentless work ethic, a high IQ, and an edge that separates good players from great ones. That edge showed itself on day one in Lexington. Oweh wasn’t intimidated by the banners or the history. If anything, he seemed fueled by it.
Pope’s practices, often described as intense and detailed, have served as the crucible for this breakout. Gone are the laid-back “one-and-done” narratives that used to define some of Kentucky’s younger squads. Pope demands execution, physicality, and cohesion. And Oweh, by all accounts, has embodied that new standard. Teammates rave about his hustle, and assistants note his grasp of the playbook is already advanced. What started as a quiet competition for minutes became a landslide for a starting spot.
This decision by Pope doesn’t just validate Oweh—it marks a bold shift in the culture Pope is establishing. He’s not beholden to reputation or rankings. He’s here to win. And he’ll play whoever gives him the best chance to do that. Starting a freshman might not be groundbreaking, especially at Kentucky, but doing it based solely on merit—and doing it with zero hesitation—sends a message.
The next game, the first public exhibition, promises to be standing-room only. Fans want to see the kid in real action, under the lights, in front of the Big Blue Nation. Expectations are sky-high now. The fanbase has latched on to Oweh as a symbol of something new—something Pope has managed to ignite in just a few months. Whether he scores 20 or struggles in his debut won’t change what he’s already accomplished: he’s brought excitement back.
And make no mistake, the locker room knows it. Veterans have embraced him. One assistant noted that “he plays like he belongs, and the guys see that.” The cohesion, rare for a team still learning each other’s rhythms, seems to be forming faster than expected. Pope, ever the strategist, may have seen this coming. His system is built around movement, versatility, and buy-in. Oweh checks every box.
For Kentucky fans, long accustomed to drama and spectacle, this feels different. There’s a grit and grind to this team that reminds some of the 2014 squad that made an unlikely run to the title game. That team wasn’t the flashiest on paper—but they had heart. That’s what this team might have again, and Oweh might be its beating pulse.
As for the young star himself, he’s stayed grounded. After the announcement, he thanked the coaches, praised his teammates, and told reporters, “It’s an honor, but now I’ve got to back it up.” That kind of mindset bodes well for a long season ahead. Fans might be screaming his name from the rafters, but Oweh seems locked in on the bigger picture. He’s not here for one big game—he’s here to win games, plural.
Pope’s first season is still in its infancy, and the road ahead will be paved with tougher tests, unexpected losses, and moments of doubt. But for now, he’s won over a fanbase and given them a player to believe in. In doing so, he’s started what might be a new era in Lexington—one built not just on talent, but on toughness, preparation, and earned opportunity.
“Start Oweh Now!” might’ve started as a chant. But now, it’s reality. And if that scrimmage was any indication, it won’t be the last time Kentucky fans raise their voices in celebration of the newest Wildcat hero.
