UK Fans of the Day want notes while we wait for Otega Oweh news

Hello, friends. It’s 4:30 p.m. ET, and we’re still waiting to hear if Otega Oweh will be a Kentucky Wildcat next season. Oweh has until 11:59 p.m. tonight to let the NCAA know if he’s coming back to college or staying in the NBA Draft. Of course, as we learned last year with Jaxson Robinson, it could be longer before he decides to share that news with us.

We know that Oweh had one more workout today. According to Matt Jones, that was with the Brooklyn Nets and took place at 11 a.m., meaning he’s probably now mulling his options back home in Newark. Mark Pope said the feedback Oweh has been getting from teams is “incredible,” and that the rising senior will simply have to follow his heart. So far, Oweh has worked out for the Nets (pick Nos. 8, 19, 26, 27, 36), Boston Celtics (Nos. 28, 32), Houston Rockets (Nos. 10, 59), and Portland Trail Blazers (No. 11). Those close to Oweh have said he is hoping for a first-round guarantee; at best, he’s listed at the end of the second round in one mock draft, by Sports Illustrated. Is his performance in recent workouts enough for a team to take a chance on him, or is he simply doing his due diligence with the evaluation process? At some point soon, we’ll have to find out.

Oweh may end up being one of the last players to announce. Over the past few days, several more college stars have pulled out of the draft, including Auburn guard Tahaad Pettiford, Florida center Alex Condon, Houston guard Milos Uzan, and Michigan big man Yaxel Lendeborg. Adou Thiero is one of a handful who decided to stay in the draft, ending his time at Arkansas. That leaves these notable names still pending as of 4:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday:

• Otega Oweh, Kentucky
• Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Penn State
• Miles Byrd, San Diego State
• RJ Luis Jr., St. John’s (transfer portal)

While we wait, here are some notes on draft decisions and more…

— With Tahaad Pettiford coming back, Auburn has an impressive squad next season. Pettiford, who was ranked No. 35 on ESPN’s NBA Draft rankings, told Jonathan Givony that his situation back on the Plains was too good to pass up, so he’ll take an extra year to develop. According to Matt Norlander, Pettiford is being offered an NIL deal worth more than $2 million next season; Oweh’s is rumored to be much more.

“I was happy to go through the process, getting feedback from NBA teams,” Pettiford told ESPN. “Going back to Auburn is a better situation for me. I see myself being a higher pick next year. It wasn’t 100% this year, so I didn’t want to take that chance.

“Being a short guard, it won’t be easy to play in the league, but I know I can do it. It’s maybe not the right time.”

Wise words if you’re reading, Otega!

Brian Kelly on the SEC's future scheduling format:

“We want to play Big Ten schools.”

Kelly's proposal would include nine SEC games, one Big Ten matchup, and two nonconference games.

(h/t @RossDellenger)https://t.co/uKvQHqA0bu pic.twitter.com/pif80nVyJR

— On3 (@On3sports) May 28, 2025

— The debate over eight or nine conference games rages on at the SEC Spring Meetings in Destin. The latest wrinkle is a potential alliance between the SEC and the Big Ten. LSU coach Brian Kelly is proposing a schedule of nine conference games, one game against a Big Ten team, and two additional non-conference games. That would all but kill the Governor’s Cup matchup as Kentucky would be forced to play a Big Ten team instead of Louisville to save the other two non-conference games for lesser opponents/surefire wins.

I’ll be honest, the scheduling debate wears me out, but until the House Settlement is passed, everyone down in Destin has to talk about something, and this is the topic du jour. Even though the Louisville game was one of the lowlights of last season, I would be very sad to see it go.

— The wait for Oweh news has led to some entertaining discussions on KSBoard. Today is National Burger Day, so we’ve debated the best burger in Kentucky, the best fast food burger, and even the best fast food fries. Here are some burger joints that have been mentioned multiple times if you want to visit one tonight:

• Grind – Louisville
• Toasty’s Tavern – Louisville
• G&E Burgers – Williamsburg
• Dovies – Tompkinsville
• Freddy’s – Lexington
• Belew’s – Aurora
• Ferrell’s – Madisonville, Hopkinsville
• Bubba Grub – Nicholasville
• Monticello Pool Hall – Monticello

I’ll add the bowling alley in Danville, KSBar and Grille (naturally) in Lexington, and Jack Brown’s, a chain with locations in Nashville and Lexington. I try to refrain from including chains in lists such as these, but their burgers (and special sauce) are just that good.

Now, not only are you waiting for Oweh news, you’re hungry. Sorry about that.

Got thoughts? Take advantage of our KSR+ Introductory Offer and continue the conversation on KSBoard, the KSR Message Board. $1 for a week.