Nothing beats the emotions of the NCAA basketball tournament and for Big Blue Nation those emotions were all over the place in a first-round escape against Santa Clara, but the lasting emotion is relief, and they have Otega Oweh to thank for that.
If you don't believe me, watch the final ten seconds in regulation from this remarkable view
Allen Graves hits a 3.
— Cameron Drummond (@cdrummond97) March 20, 2026
Otega Oweh hits a 3.
UK and Santa Clara go to overtime in St. Louis. pic.twitter.com/0mXyAy6apz
Oweh's 3-pointer at the buzzer saved Kentucky's season and took Mark Pope off the hot seat for at least another game. It also might be the boost the Wildcats need to make some noise in the tournament.
But let's look at the optics for a second. Santa Clara isn't a stranger to making a Cinderella run through the big dance, so it's no surprise the Broncos were well represented in St. Louis. And when Allan Graves hit the 3-pointer to put them ahead 73-70 with 2.4 remaining, the section of Santa Clara fans exploded.Â
However, that was nothing compared to the sonic boom that occurred when Oweh's 35-footer dropped to tie it at the buzzer. In less than five seconds, we saw Santa Clara go from elation to shock and Wildcat fans go from agony and anger to excited optimism. Their optimism was rewarded with a strong effort from Kentucky in the extra stanza for an 89-84 win.
Why this Kentucky team makes winning look so hard is a question that will eventually have to be answered. But for right now, Big Blue Nation can relax and enjoy the rest of today's games and tomorrow's second-round action before things get hairy again Sunday. Maybe things will be different and the Wildcats will cruise into the second week, but given this team's DNA, that doesn't appear likely.
It definitely wasn't easy Friday afternoon, it rarely has been this season, but the Wildcats got it done. And they have Oweh to thank for it.Â