Otega Oweh Pre-Arkansas (12-7-23)
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00:00 >> Kind of as Sam, a similar thing, but what do you remember about last year's
00:03 game against Arkansas, just that environment,
00:06 be okay center team that's not far away, what do you remember about that?
00:09 >> The atmosphere was obviously crazy.
00:11 It was packed out, a lot of Arkansas fans, high intensity games.
00:16 So it's something we're excited for and ready, obviously.
00:19 But that's the only thing I remember from last year.
00:22 >> How helpful is it to maybe have that kind of experience early in the season,
00:25 where it's an SEC team, an early challenge maybe?
00:29 >> It's definitely helpful because kind of like us, they play a similar style.
00:33 They have a high tempo, high speed, aggressive.
00:37 So it's kind of like a conference game.
00:39 So we're looking forward to it.
00:40 We're gonna approach it like it's a conference game as well.
00:43 >> How do you feel like you've grown from year one to year two?
00:46 >> I think I've grown a lot.
00:48 Really, it's just been mental and just trying to slow down the game.
00:51 Cuz obviously, I'm not trying to stay the same every year.
00:54 So we just gotta make sure we get better every year and
00:56 focus on the things you can improve.
00:58 So everything I've been doing now.
01:00 >> With every win, you guys are getting a little more attention nationally.
01:03 How are you guys handling that?
01:05 >> I think we're handling it well.
01:06 We're kind of just staying, keeping it within the court.
01:10 We play hard every single day in practice.
01:13 So we're not letting all the attention get to us because we know that it could go
01:18 just like that, so we just gotta stay strong, stay hungry.
01:21 >> Our guys- >> Go for it.
01:25 >> Our guys got a number of pretty good shot blockers when you're attacking.
01:28 What does that do for you as far as you did approach CC differently?
01:32 >> I mean, I just gotta play smart, gotta play off two feet.
01:35 And if they're shot blockers, that means they go, they try and
01:38 block a lot of shots.
01:39 That means I have to be able to use my pump face and all that stuff,
01:42 spread it out.
01:42 So it's just playing smart and under control.
01:44 >> Sam said in the summer, it took just a couple games of pickup to realize how
01:49 good JV Young was gonna be.
01:51 Do you remember kind of when you realized the kind of impact he might have on
01:54 this team?
01:54 >> I mean, actually last year we were in the same tournament at Siena and
01:59 I remember watching him.
02:01 I think it was in Florida.
02:02 And I knew, I was like, yeah, he's cold.
02:04 And then when he committed, I was like, yeah, I knew he was good.
02:06 So first pickup game, second pickup game, I saw it already, so yeah.
02:11 >> Has anything surprised you or stood out to you about, since that,
02:15 since he committed, coming here, playing alongside him?
02:18 Has anything stood out or surprised you?
02:20 >> I would just say he has a lot of heart.
02:23 He goes out there and competes every single day, like practice, games.
02:26 He gives his all, he's vocal.
02:28 So I would say that was definitely something that I noticed early.
02:33 >> How many times have you rewatched that block from Tuesday?
02:35 >> A couple times.
02:36 >> [LAUGH] >> Is it still kind of surreal when you
02:40 see a play like that on SportsCenter Top 10, things like that?
02:43 >> Yeah, it's definitely dope.
02:44 It's definitely dope.
02:46 I did a lot of those blocks in high school, so I'm just trying to get back to that.
02:50 But it's definitely dope seeing it on SportsCenter and stuff, yeah.
02:53 >> What does that say about your maturity?
02:55 Cuz you had the turnover, which led to that chance,
02:58 just in terms of being able to just bounce back.
03:01 >> Just not hanging your head, I would say.
03:03 I've definitely grown from that, cuz obviously, the most it teaches,
03:06 how you respond after a turnover or offensive rebound is huge.
03:10 So just learning from that.
03:12 >> You've been shooting at a really high percentage on the arc and
03:16 just on the floor.
03:16 What's that shot selection and that choice been like during the game?
03:19 Do you kinda, how do you go about it?
03:22 >> I really don't go about it.
03:23 I just hoop whenever I feel comfortable to go out there and score or make a play.
03:28 I'll go do it.
03:29 But I've definitely been feeling comfortable and
03:31 more confident in my overall game.
03:33 So it's really just playing free.
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