Malachi Moreno has blocked nine shots in the last two games. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky freshman Malachi Moreno has settled into his role on the court, and it is starting to show.
Moreno connected on a buzzer-beating basket in a 75-74 win at LSU on Jan. 14 and is averaging 9.5 points per game during the past four games. He has recorded nine blocked shots during the last two games, including five in an 80-75 win over Texas on Wednesday night.
“I’m just finding my fit (and) just being able to make plays for my teammates that has really just been the biggest impact for me,” Moreno said. “I think once I’ve seen that I can do that, it kind of just made the game a lot easier for me.”
Moreno and the Wildcats will host Ole Miss Saturday at 11 a.m. as Kentucky (13-6, 4-2 Southeastern Conference) closes out a brief two-game home stand before road games at Vanderbilt on Wednesday and Arkansas on Jan. 31 in Fayetteville.
While scoring and defending has been a big part of his contributions during the Southeastern Conference portion of the schedule, Moreno had six assists in the win over the Longhorns. He also dished out six in a 92-68 win over Mississippi State on Jan. 10, which started the team’s current four-game winning streak.
“I’m always connecting passes with my teammates, making sure they’re getting open buckets,” Moreno said. “I think me being 7-foot, a lot of people don’t expect that of my game. I think that I just almost took that as disrespect, because I can pass.”
Moreno has confided in former Kentucky forward Amari Williams and said “Amari has been a big help.”
“He’s reached out a couple of times, just talking me through things, just asking me how I’m enjoying it, things like that,” Moreno said. “He was one of the best passing big men in the drafts, one of the best passing big men in college last year, if not the best passer. I kind of just tried to take that from his game and add it to my own.”
While Moreno’s scoring and defense has given the Wildcats a boost, Otega Oweh has stepped up in conference play and is averaging 23 points per game in the team’s six conference encounters. Oweh has tallied double figures in all 19 games this season.
“His energy is unmatched,” Moreno said. “I think his energy kind of leads everybody else. He kind of just gives us that extra boost that we need. I really think what really shifted us was how he was able to play 38 minutes while being sick at LSU.
“I think that really set a standard of like, even though he wasn’t feeling 100 percent he was going to come give 100 percent, so I think that kind of gave us a mentality shift of like, if he’s willing to do that, then we need to be willing to give more, and we need to be willing to give 100 percent as well, because he’s not feeling well, and he’s still giving it his all.”
Ole Miss (11-8, 3-3) defeated the Wildcats 98-84 a year ago in Oxford. The Rebels had won three straight games, including a 97-95 overtime win at Georgia on Jan. 14 before dropping a 78-66 decision to Auburn on Tuesday night.
PERRY RETURNS
Former Kentucky Mr. Basketball and UK guard Travis Perry of Lyon County is averaging 5.7 points per game and has made 30 3-pointers for the Rebels this season while playing 15 minutes per game. He connected on four treys in the win over Georgia earlier this month.
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GAMETRACKER: Ole Miss at Kentucky, 11 a.m., Saturday. TV/Radio: ESPN, UK Radio Network
5 Responses
Moreno play has surprise me how composer he is on the floor. This kid will be fan favorite if he sticks around long enough. I love to watch him play he's getting better and better just scratch the surface what he can do.
Here we are at half-time. We took a step forward against Texas and take 2 steps back against Ole Miss…the nightmare continues! Pope does not have a clue!
If you told me Oweh and Aberdeen would only combine for 7 points in the first half I would think we would be down by at least 10. Us being a second half team we should win this game by at least 10 points. We should run away from Mississippi with about 9-10 mins to play in the second half. Ole Miss is 10 deep so I doubt we tire them out but the longer we keep this game close the more of a chance ole miss has to knock us off at home. This will be the easiest game out of the next 5 games so we need to win and at least split the next 2 away games. We just don't have any shooters that can get open. Ole Miss has great defense and we struggle on offense but there is no way we should lose this game or it even be close enough to lose.
Moreno and Johnson if they both stick around a couple of years will be rockstars in Lexington. Throw in Noah and Potter and we have 4 Kentucky kids who will be in the rotation next year. If Noah and Potter both come back as well I can see them being major role players next year. With maybe Noah starting or being the 6th or 7th man. Potter will be the backup 4 or the backup 5. Jelly and Moreno should start. If Mo comes back then Mo will probably start at the 3. With Johnson at the point and Chandler at the 2. We need to offer Josiah Johnson hes a top 50 high school prospect and the #6 PG in high school. Hes from California he would be a perfect backup PG next year with a chance to take over as the starter as a sophomore. We need to get him and the best PG we can get in the portal. Even if Lowe comes back. We don't know if this injury will be a career decider for Lowe. So I would get two PGs and see if Lowe is ready next year. I would get my future PG as a freshman and then get a junior or senior in the portal.
Our bigs are really challenged offensively most of the time. Moreno has to finish more efficiently at the rim. Garrison and Moreno 0 field goals today and we still won?? Jelavic has to look for a shot more and be more physical. Now we hear that Hawthorn not healthy with calf problem??
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