Malachi Moreno made his first UK start in Friday's win. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Maybe Kentucky coach Mark Pope is ready to have more double trouble.
No, not in the locker room but on the court by playing bigs Malachi Moreno and Brandon Garrison together like he did late in Friday’s 88-46 win over Loyola (Md.).
Moreno went 5-for-10 from the field and had 10 points, eight rebounds, four blocks, two assists and one steal in 23 minutes while Garrison had six points on 3-for-7 shooting along with 11 rebounds, one assist and one steal in 20 minutes. That was a combined 16 points, 19 rebounds, four blocks, three assists and two steals in 43 minutes. Moreno made his first start with Garrison coming off the bench but both played well.
“They’ve been kind of splitting those minutes. They actually, at the end of the game tonight, played them together a little bit too,” Loyola coach Josh Loeffler said. “I think they’re trying to toy around with some of those things. I thought both of them gave them a great rim presence.
“They’re different, right? Malachi Moreno is a little more back to the basket, and Brandon is a little more agile in terms of driving and sprinting, but they both pressure the rim really well.”
One thing about the duo stood out to the Loyola coach.
“I think the one thing about each of them is they’re also good passers and willing passers, and coach (Mark) Pope’s teams always pass really well to cutters. They share the ball. I think each of those guys is an unselfish player, but they pressure the rim, and to have two of them and be able to keep them fresh by splitting the minutes it’s really nice. I think they’re both taking steps, and they’re both really good players.”
Kentucky-Loyola Basketball
Photos by Vicky Graff
6 Responses
Moreno has earned the right to start. He is a better rim protector and defender in general. Even his rebounding is as good as Garrison's and his offense is better, too. Garrison's role should be that of a reserve and that could even be lessened when Quaintance takes the floor. Garrison will hit the transfer portal at the season's end.
Good riddance to Garrison.
I wonder having so much depth is hurting the chemistry to this team and we haven't been 100 percent healthy yet.
I first thought Hiring a past player as coach was good even though he has never won anything. But I didn’t understand why the winningest program in college basketball didn’t try to get a championship winning coach? At this point I think Pope should go back to being a doctor and become a winning Proctologist!!
Rick, if you remember Mitch went after several coaches who had won a lot of things but they all said no
The Moreno & Garrison combo plus Dianoito are the front line I like beat. Chandler & Noah complete the 5 who are capable of building up a strong chemistry and complete game at both ends of the court.
Some players are not really team players and the ANE values expose them, even if some fans prefer Oweh & Lowe. It’s just the numbers, but numbers don’t lie. Noah will get better after he fully recovers and gets into rhythm in the games. Chandler has proven he is getting better every game. Pan & Chandler will be the best & most consistent long range shooters in the long run.
Unfortunately some players making big money don’t have the heart to play as a TEAM 1st teammate or give their all wvery possessions at both ends of the court.
A:TO ratio, rebounds, 3 pt FG % – keys to win!
Jasper Johnson, a KY guy, may need a year to prove he is a vital player to build & maintain good team chemistr.
Kam Williams has definitely made giant strides and deserves a lot of PT of he continues to produce.
Th RIGHT AND BEST TEAM 1st combo is needed before the current lack of chemistry destroys this GROUP while there is still time to build a GENUINE TEAM who really look like they are THE UNIVETSITY of KENTUCKY!
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