It’s not that Malachi Moreno was ever overlooked.
The Kentucky basketball freshman center arrived in Lexington as a McDonald’s All-American, Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball, and the backbone of Great Crossing High School’s first state championship team. Expectations were already high.
What’s becoming clear, though, is that Moreno isn’t just meeting them — he’s starting to exceed them when it matters most.
Saturday night’s 74-71 comeback win over Tennessee was the latest and clearest example.
In a game where Kentucky trailed by 14 points at halftime and desperately needed steadiness in the paint, Moreno delivered one of his most impactful performances of the season. He finished with 10 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two blocks, numbers that only tell part of the story.
Moreno was a major reason the Wildcats were able to flip the game in the second half.
As Tennessee tried to protect its lead by attacking the interior, Moreno responded with disciplined defense, timely rim protection, and smart decisions with the ball. His presence helped Kentucky stabilize defensively while generating momentum on the other end.
One of the turning points came midway through the second half when Moreno threaded a perfect assist to Otega Oweh for a dunk, cutting Tennessee’s lead to 57-55. The play forced a Volunteers timeout and ignited the Rupp Arena crowd — a sequence that shifted the tone of the game.
From there, Kentucky never looked rattled.
Moreno continued to make winning plays without forcing the issue. He set hard screens, battled on the glass, and stayed composed as the pressure mounted. In the final seconds, with the game hanging in the balance, the freshman stepped to the line and knocked down a critical free throw to help seal the victory.
That poise stood out.
Freshman centers don’t usually close tight rivalry games in February. Moreno did — calmly, confidently, and without hesitation.
“He doesn’t play like a freshman,” head coach Mark Pope said after the win. “He understands timing, spacing, and how to affect the game even when the ball isn’t in his hands.”
That understanding has been building steadily throughout the season, but the Tennessee game felt like a milestone. Against one of the SEC’s most physical teams, Moreno didn’t just survive — he mattered.
Teammates have noticed the growth.
“He’s always ready,” Oweh said. “You trust him. He’s in the right spots, he talks on defense, and he plays hard every possession.”
Moreno’s increased responsibility has given Kentucky added flexibility in its rotations, especially late in games. His ability to defend without fouling and contribute offensively without disrupting flow has become invaluable as the Wildcats push deeper into conference play.
For Moreno, the focus remains simple.
“I just try to do what the team needs,” he said. “Rebound, defend, make the right pass. If I do that, everything else comes.
That mindset — paired with his rapid development — is why Kentucky fans are starting to view him as more than just a promising freshman. Performances like the one against Tennessee suggest Moreno is becoming a reliable piece in moments that decide seasons.
And if Saturday night was any indication, Malachi Moreno’s rise is only getting started.
