On Friday, March 28, the Kentucky Wildcats’ season ended after the Tennesee Volunteers routed them by double-digits in the Sweet Sixteen.

One of the main reasons the Wildcats lost that game was due to their poor rebounding, more specifically, their offensive rebounding. 

The Vols grabbed 14 offensive rebounds, doubling the amount Kentucky had. 

Although Amari Williams did his part on the boards all year, averaging 8.5 rebounds per game, Kentucky will have to replace the center with another glass cleaner, who can also chip in offensively.

Lucky for Big Blue Nation, he’s already been replaced. 

Malachi Moreno, the 6-foot-11 center from Georgetown, Kentucky, committed to Head Coach Mark Pope and the University of Kentucky on Aug. 16, 2024. Ranking as the top player in the state for the class of 2025, and as a top three overall center in the country, Moreno showcased why he’s so highly regarded in this year’s KHSAA Sweet Sixteen tournament. 

He averaged 15.5 rebounds in Great Crossing’s four state tournament games this past week, to go along with 21 points per game and 4.3 blocks per game.

Moreno helped Great Crossing win its first ever KHSAA Kentucky High School State Championship on March 29, where he tallied another double-double with 24 points and 15 rebounds. He won the MVP award for the entire tournament.

With a true sign of character, he jumped into his school’s student section to celebrate a historical championship win in Lexington. 

The very next morning, he immediately jumped on a plane to attend the McDonald’s All-American Game alongside fellow Kentucky signee Jasper Johnson in Brooklyn, New York.

The big man followed up Travis Perry as the second straight UK signee to be named Kentucky Mr. Basketball and to win the state title before they touch the court as a Wildcat the following year.

The young star was sought after by a number of schools, choosing the Wildcats over Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Louisville, North Carolina, Notre Dame and Ohio State. 

When he committed to the Wildcats, he was quoted comparing himself to Kentucky’s finest.

”I would probably compare myself to Anthony Davis or Karl Anthony-Towns,” said Moreno. “Those are some of the guys I try to model my game after.” 

Pope spoke highly of Moreno, and told UK Athletics why he fits the mold of a Kentucky superstar.

”He has a ferocity around the rim in terms of ball protection and he is willing to engage physically,” said Pope. “He is going to grow into an elite-level shooter, and, more important than all of those incredible things, is that he gets a little teary-eyed when he walks into Rupp Arena because he knows what this place is.” 

Moreno later added on what it means to be a Wildcat.

“Growing up in Kentucky, you always wanted to put on that Kentucky uniform,” said Moreno. “Just being able to go there and wear ‘Kentucky’ across my chest means the world to me.”

When one door opens, another closes. Moreno, Great Crossing Head Coach Billy Hicks, and his team were forced to reflect on the journey they’ve experienced.

”I mean, my goodness, six years of our program, to be able to celebrate a state title is absolutely an unbelievable accomplishment,” said Hicks. ”When I got this job, I was at Scott County Middle School before and both Malachi and Gage played for me when they were sixth graders.”

Moreno was asked about playing on Rupp Arena’s court once again, and if he had given any thought about being in a Wildcat jersey sooner, rather than later.

“It’s definitely a surreal moment,” said Moreno. “I wanted to end my high school career on this floor holding a big ole trophy. I know it wasn’t my last time on this floor, but it was my last time in a Great Crossing uniform.”

Quoting Kentucky’s Andrew Carr with a smile, Moreno jokingly said “Coach, you’re gonna have a hard time getting this jersey from me.”

His high school career was nothing short of spectacular, breaking numerous school records such as most points in a single game and winning the school’s first ever championship.

Now, with his glory days behind him, Moreno will set foot inside of Rupp Arena very soon, but this time, as a Kentucky Wildcat. 

The first domino of the Kentucky basketball offseason has fallen, as Kerr Kriisa has entered the transfer portal after receiving a medical redshirt.

Kriisa was an early fan favorite due to his energetic style of play and outgoing personality, but he appeared in just nine games for Kentucky this season after suffering a Jones fracture, which ultimately ended his season. He averaged 4.4 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.4 rebounds.

Kriisa has released a statement:

“To Coach Pope and the UK Coaching staff – It has been an absolute dream to play for the University of Kentucky. Thank you for your continued support.

To my teammates – I am so thankful for the relationships we’ve formed during my time at Kentucky, and I will keep those friendships for a lifetime.

To BBN – Your unending support of me and my team has been amazing. Playing at Rupp Arena in front of huge crowds has been a dream come true. I will always cherish my time in the Bluegrass state, and I wish Kentucky basketball all the best in the future.”

His last moment in a Kentucky uniform, was him getting back to play defense with that Jones fracture, and that says a lot about who Kerr Kriisa is.

Following the Wildcats’ Sweet Sixteen loss to Tennessee, he was in tears when talking to KY Insider.

“We brought the joy back to Kentucky,” Kriisa said. “To watch a group play, that plays for each other. That would take a bullet for each other. I’m just so sad.”

Krissa loved this team and he gave it all for the Cats when he was on the court this season.

Kriisa enters the portal with one year of eligibility remaining.

While it was the senior-heavy roster that dominated headlines throughout the year for Kentucky basketball, in their leave, there are still a collection of players who have the opportunity to return to Kentucky come November.

Starting with Travis Perry, he was the one player to give a definite answer, telling reporters, “Yeah, certainly,” that he would be back next season.

Fellow Kentucky native, Trent Noah, did not give a yes or no, but suggested that he would be back. “Just playing as hard as I can, that’s the main thing,” he said, answering what he would bring to the team next season. “Doing whatever I can to help the team win. It’s a privilege to wear this jersey, so whatever I am asked.”

Collin Chandler admitted that he hasn’t “thought about that whatsoever,” elaborating, “…we’ve been focused on what we’re doing and being present with this group.”

Chandler, who originally committed to BYU before following Mark Pope to Kentucky, had one of the most prominent arcs of improvement of any player on the team this year. ‘Cats fans would be happy to have him back if he so chooses. His fiancee recently shared an update on social media that she plans to move with Chandler to Kentucky this off-season.

Otega Oweh, who has one year of eligibility remaining, gave a similar answer: “I haven’t thought about none of that.”

Brandon Garrison kept it simple: “I’m going to go talk to Coach Pope and the staff and see what’s next for me.”

Time to Process

It’s fair for these players, regardless of where they stand as far as the transfer portal goes, to take the time to deal with a tournament loss before even considering such a question in the first place. Even so, Travis Perry delivered the clearest answer of the night, responding to the question of a return with an unequivocal “certainly.”

Regarding the rest of the roster, Brandon Garrison said that he’d talk to Coach Pope and his staff in order to determine his future, and beyond that, it’ll all come down to speculation. With the season officially over, Kentucky fans have entered the dreaded waiting game in regard to who’s coming, who’s leaving, and who’s staying.

But no matter what, every player on this year’s team deserves a hats off for their contributions to one of the most entertaining, memorable squads to ever roll through Rupp Arena. And at the end of the day, if Mark Pope has proven anything, it’s that he understands the transfer portal. Kentucky will be okay, along with whoever decides to stay.