Kentucky’s Most Improved Player? Coaches Point to What Happened Right After Georgetown

After Kentucky’s rough night against Georgetown, one player quietly flipped the script. Malachi Moreno — the in-state freshman many fans thought would need time — showed up to the next practice like a man on a mission. Coaches are raving about his transformation, and insiders say this could change Kentucky’s rotation plans fast. Let’s dive in and see what’s really happening.

When Kentucky fell 84–70 to Georgetown, questions swirled around the team’s toughness in the paint. The Wildcats were outmuscled, out-rebounded, and looked passive at times. But the next morning, the tone shifted — and it started with Malachi Moreno.

Sources say the freshman center from Georgetown, Kentucky, walked into practice determined to prove a point. Moreno, who played limited minutes in the exhibition, reportedly dominated early drills — blocking shots, running the floor hard, and finishing through contact. One coach described it simply:

> “He looked like a different player overnight.”

It wasn’t just the numbers — it was the attitude. Moreno was vocal, competitive, and unafraid to go at veterans like Brandon Garrison and Mo Dioubate. At one point, he reportedly yelled “Let’s go!” after a putback dunk that sent the gym into a frenzy.

Teammates took notice. Otega Oweh praised Moreno’s energy, saying it lifted everyone around him. “You could feel it,” one player added. “He wasn’t playing like a freshman anymore.”

Insiders believe that practice might have fast-tracked Moreno’s path to meaningful minutes. His combination of length, timing, and confidence has always intrigued the coaching staff — but now, it’s translating into real on-court presence.

Mark Pope has emphasized that spots in his rotation will be earned, not given, and Moreno’s effort sent a clear message: he’s ready to compete.