Kentucky analyst backs Malachi Moreno to eclipse Bidunga in breakout campaign
The University of Kentucky’s decision to retain Malachi Moreno over the NBA draft is drawing early praise from analysts who see a trajectory that could surpass that of Kansas transfer Flory Bidunga.
Kentucky basketball analyst Rob Dauster has publicly committed to the proposition that centre Malachi Moreno will deliver a breakout performance in the upcoming season, potentially outperforming Kansas transfer Flory Bidunga. Speaking on the 'Field of 68' podcast, Dauster stated, “I’m gonna plant my flag on Moreno island and say he’ll be better this season than Flory Bidunga. I’m betting on a Malachi Moreno breakout season.”
The prediction follows Moreno’s decision to return to the University of Kentucky after initially considering entering the NBA draft. As a freshman, Moreno averaged 7.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game on 58.2 per cent shooting, playing 22.6 minutes per contest. Dauster notes that while these figures were modest, they were achieved under circumstances where key players Jayden Quaintance and Brandon Garrison were impacted by injuries or ineffectiveness, thereby increasing Moreno’s workload.
Dauster attributes Moreno’s projected growth to significant physical development, specifically pointing to a weight reduction from 250 pounds to 242 pounds at the NBA Combine. Rather than viewing the loss as a deficit, Dauster interprets the eight-pound drop as evidence of fat loss and concurrent muscle gain, a common outcome of collegiate strength and conditioning programs. This improved conditioning is expected to address the physicality struggles Moreno faced against opposing centres during his debut season.
Beyond physical metrics, the analyst highlights technical improvements in ball handling and passing as critical factors. Moreno struggled with catching passes and ball security as a freshman, recording 1.3 turnovers per game. However, Dauster suggests that enhancements in these areas, particularly if Moreno can average around 3.5 assists per game, would significantly benefit the team. This skill set is vital within head coach Mark Pope’s system, which utilises an inverted centre role requiring the big man to facilitate from the top of the key.
The comparison to Flory Bidunga, who averaged 13.3 points and 9.0 rebounds in his freshman year at Louisville, is contextualised by Bidunga’s earlier production at Kansas, where he averaged just 5.9 points and 5.4 rebounds. Dauster argues that Moreno’s potential to distribute the ball to multiple shooters, including Kam Williams, Justin McBride, Milan Momcilovic, and Jerone Morton, could elevate the team’s offensive efficiency. If Moreno can replicate the passing impact of players like Amari Williams, the analysis suggests a substantial upgrade for the Kentucky programme.
