Denzel Aberdeen is stepping up in a big way-and just in time for Kentucky.
With starting point guard Jaland Lowe sidelined, the Wildcats needed someone to take the reins. Aberdeen didn’t just fill in-he’s been driving the bus during Kentucky’s current three-game win streak. Over that stretch, he’s been steady, explosive, and, most importantly, clutch.
“He’s been really big,” head coach Mark Pope said Tuesday. “He took a giant step last week.”
That might be underselling it. Aberdeen dropped 22 points in Kentucky’s gritty 80-78 road win over Tennessee, then followed that up with 17 in a nail-biter at LSU that ended 75-74. And let’s not forget the 16-point outing in a 92-68 comeback win over Mississippi State, where he looked completely in control running the offense.
Pope was effusive in his praise-and with good reason.
“His decision making was elite, his ball protection was elite, his shot making was elite,” Pope said. “I don’t know who in our league probably had a better week than him. I thought he was incredible under duress.”
Aberdeen’s composure has been a revelation. He’s not just making plays-he’s making the right plays.
Whether it’s reading the defense, protecting the ball, or knocking down key shots, he’s showing a level of maturity that’s rare in a young guard thrust into a starting role. And Pope believes there’s still plenty of room to grow.
“I think he’s still got a huge upside,” Pope said. “I think he did a really good job of taking what was there. I thought his reads were elite.”
Now sitting at 12-6 overall and 3-2 in SEC play, Kentucky is heading back to Rupp Arena with momentum and a budding star in the backcourt. But the road doesn’t get any easier. Next up: Texas.
The Longhorns come in at 11-7 (2-3 SEC) and are fresh off a tight 74-70 loss to Texas A&M. But don’t let the record fool you-this is a team that can score, and score in bunches. They’ve already picked up league wins over Vanderbilt (80-64) and Alabama (92-88), and they bring a versatile, physical offense to Lexington.
“This Texas team … they are potent offensively,” Pope said. “They just have weapons everywhere.”
And he’s not exaggerating. Texas is among the nation’s best at getting to the free throw line, and they’ve got the top individual free-throw rate guy in the country. That’s not just about drawing contact-it’s about putting pressure on defenses every possession.
“They’re one of the top teams in the country on the offensive glass,” Pope added. “They can hurt you in isolation.
They hurt you off handoffs and off screens. They can hurt you in transition, and they do it from all five spots.”
In other words, this is a full-court test for Kentucky-a chance to see just how far this team has come during its recent run, and how much further it can go. With Aberdeen playing the way he is, the Wildcats have found a spark. Now it’s about keeping that fire burning against a Texas team that’s capable of lighting it up from anywhere.
“We’ll have all the challenge we can possibly stand coming to us,” Pope said. “And we can’t wait to get to it.”