Kentucky’s comeback win at LSU will be remembered for its thrilling finish, but the most important storyline unfolded well before the final shot.
The Wildcats erased an 18-point second-half deficit in Baton Rouge, stealing a 75–74 victory on Malachi Moreno’s buzzer-beater. It was chaotic, dramatic, and exactly the kind of win Kentucky needed. Yet the true takeaway isn’t just the last-second heroics—it’s what happened when Kentucky faced life without its primary point guard, Jaland Lowe.
With Lowe out for the season, Kentucky needed someone to steady the ship. Enter Denzel Aberdeen. The freshman guard delivered his most meaningful performance of the year, finishing with 17 points, four assists, three steals, and just one turnover in 34 minutes. Remarkably, all 17 points came in the second half—precisely when Kentucky needed a spark to stop the bleeding.
Aberdeen’s impact went beyond scoring. He dictated the pace, pushing when the team had momentum and slowing things down when LSU’s defense forced tough decisions. Crucially, he didn’t force bad shots, overdribble, or make costly turnovers. One turnover in that situation is massive, and Aberdeen’s poise gave Kentucky structure and confidence.
Other players felt the impact of Lowe’s absence as well. Jasper Johnson, asked to take on additional minutes, played just eight minutes and struggled to find rhythm—going scoreless on four shot attempts with a -8 plus/minus. In contrast, Aberdeen logged all 20 minutes at point guard in the second half, showing that Kentucky can survive—and even thrive—without Lowe leading the way.
While Moreno’s buzzer-beater will dominate the highlight reels, the long-term story is clear: Denzel Aberdeen has shown what Kentucky basketball can look like without Jaland Lowe. It may not always be perfect, and it may not always be pretty, but controlled, competitive, and clutch? Absolutely.
