There’s something in the air in Lexington.
You can feel it watching practice.
You can hear it in the way players talk.
You can see it in every rep, every rotation, every drill.
And if you’re old enough to remember Kentucky’s historic 2012 championship run… this team might be giving you flashbacks.
This group isn’t just talented — they’re hungry. They’re physical. And they’re not wasting a single minute of summer.
Returnees like Otega Oweh, Brandon Garrison, and Trent Noah have leveled up — not just in their game, but in their presence. They’re bringing leadership, vocal energy, and a sense of purpose that feels eerily familiar to the veteran-led tone of 2012.
Meanwhile, the new faces? Not playing like newcomers.
Jayden Quaintance — all 18 years of him — is looking like a future lottery pick.
Denzel Aberdeen has wasted no time getting comfortable, and Malachi Moreno is blocking everything in sight.
Kam Williams and Braydon Hawthorne are bringing a fearless edge, while Andrija Jelavic and Reece Potter are showing they’re ready to battle in the paint.
Even practice footage tells a story:
Defensive drills look like war.
The pace is insane.
Everyone’s vocal.
No plays off.
And according to one assistant coach:
> “This is the best summer we’ve had in terms of chemistry, competition, and commitment. You can just feel it.”
That “feel” is what made 2012 special — that perfect storm of young stars and experienced leaders, all buying into a system. And while nobody’s handing out banners in August, this group’s mentality is starting to echo something Kentucky fans haven’t felt in a long time:
A team that plays for each other.
A team that plays hard.
A team that might have “it.”
Mark Pope isn’t promising anything yet. But the players?
They’re acting like they’ve got something to prove.
And if this summer is any indication… they might just be on to something big.
