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Georgetown Today
By the People, for the People
Kentucky Freshmen Lean on Veteran Leadership Ahead of March Madness
Wildcats' young stars look to experienced players to guide them through NCAA Tournament
Mar. 20, 2026 at 5:22am
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As Kentucky's men's basketball team prepares for the 2026 NCAA Tournament, the roster features a mix of freshmen making their March Madness debuts and veteran players who have been there before. The young stars like Malachi Moreno, Jasper Johnson and Andrija Jelavic are leaning on experienced teammates like Otega Oweh, Trent Noah, Collin Chandler, Brandon Garrison, Denzel Aberdeen and Mouhamed Dioubate to help them navigate the pressure and excitement of the Big Dance.
Why it matters
Kentucky is always expected to make deep runs in the NCAA Tournament, but this year's squad has a unique blend of youth and experience. The freshmen will be playing in the tournament for the first time, so the veteran leadership will be crucial in keeping the team grounded and focused amid the March Madness hype.
The details
While newcomers like Moreno, Johnson and Jelavic have never played in the NCAA Tournament, veterans like Oweh, Noah, Chandler and Garrison were on the team that made the Sweet Sixteen last year. Aberdeen is a former national champion at Florida, and Dioubate has Final Four experience from his time at Alabama. This mix of youthful energy and seasoned leadership will be key for the Wildcats as they try to make a deep tournament run.
- The 2026 NCAA Tournament is set to tip off on March 20, 2026.
The players
Malachi Moreno
A freshman guard for Kentucky who is making his NCAA Tournament debut.
Jasper Johnson
A freshman forward for Kentucky who is also playing in the NCAA Tournament for the first time.
Otega Oweh
A sophomore forward and star player for Kentucky who is entering his second NCAA Tournament.
Denzel Aberdeen
A graduate transfer guard who won a national championship with Florida in 2025 and is now playing for Kentucky.
Jaland Lowe
A Kentucky player who won't be suiting up for the tournament but is still providing leadership and advice to the younger players.
What they’re saying
“It's very beneficial because they know what it takes. Mo's been to the Final Four, Denzel won a national championship, Otega and BG have years of experience. I think just having those guys around has really helped us grow as a team, especially being freshmen, I didn't really know what to expect. They've kind of just put in the back of my mind, it's win or go home now and you got to leave all your cards on the table.”
— Malachi Moreno
“He's a guy who's been in my footsteps before. An older guy who's had a lot of experience in the college game. He's definitely trying to give me a few tips and pointers. He's really funny as well. He tries to keep me mentally stable when I'm mad or something's not going right. He's been a good leader, for sure.”
— Jasper Johnson
“Have fun and embrace the moment. It's something everyone wants to be a part of. Something you dream of as a kid. So take it in, have fun and play hard whenever your position is called or your name is called. Really embracing the moment.”
— Denzel Aberdeen
“I would say the message is the sense of urgency has to be at an all-time high. It is win or go home. So the details and the urgency we have to have is going to be on another level. In these types of situations you are getting every team's best. No one is trying to go home. We have to come out there and have the utmost energy and be really sharp. We don't want to finish the game and say, 'Oh, we should have done this or should have done that.' The urgency has to be super sharp.”
— Otega Oweh
What’s next
The Wildcats will face off against Santa Clara in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 21, 2026.
The takeaway
Kentucky's blend of talented freshmen and experienced veterans will be put to the test in the high-stakes environment of the NCAA Tournament. The young stars are leaning on their veteran teammates to help them navigate the pressure and excitement, which should give the Wildcats a well-rounded approach as they aim to make a deep tournament run.
