Every offseason, Kentucky fans are flooded with questions. How good is this roster? Can the new pieces mesh? And most importantly, does this group have the toughness to win big games when it matters most?
Those questions aren’t gone just yet, but after the latest round of practice footage leaked out, the doubts are starting to fade.
What stood out wasn’t a single highlight dunk or flashy play — though there were plenty of those. Instead, it was the way this Kentucky team moved, communicated, and competed with an edge that hasn’t been seen in Lexington in quite some time.
The first thing you notice is the frontcourt. Malachi Moreno looked like a player ready to take on a starring role, controlling the paint with his size and footwork. Alongside him, Jayden Quaintance showed off flashes of dominance — an 18-year-old playing with the poise and physicality of a seasoned veteran. The duo gives Kentucky a one-two interior punch that feels built for March.
On the perimeter, Denzel Aberdeen continues to be one of the breakout stories of the summer. His energy, quickness, and shot-making ability turned heads again, with coaches noting how he constantly pushes the tempo and pressures defenses. Pair him with the steadying hand of Otega Oweh and the offensive creativity of Trent Noah, and suddenly Kentucky’s backcourt looks far deeper than expected.
Even the so-called role players are making their case. Mo Dioubate hustled for rebounds and loose balls, bringing toughness that coaches rave about. Reece Potter and Braydon Hawthorne showed growth, knocking down open shots and competing hard against the starters. Add in new faces like Kam Williams and Andrija Jelavic, who are both still finding their footing but already flashing versatility, and you start to see just how many different ways this roster can hurt opponents.
One insider at the practice described it this way: “This group doesn’t just play hard, they play connected. It feels like they’ve been together a lot longer than they actually have.”
For a program that has faced criticism in recent years for relying too much on raw talent and not enough on cohesion, this shift is massive. It’s the kind of development that could define Kentucky’s season.
Of course, it’s still early October. Practice isn’t the same as a showdown in March. But if you were one of the fans wondering whether this team has the pieces to truly compete at the highest level, one look at this practice should calm your nerves.
The talent is there. The depth is real. And for the first time in a while, Kentucky basketball looks ready to prove it.
