We ready to be honest about Malachi?

Feb 22, 2026
114
362
63
He’s been a thoroughly average center this year. Only 1 double-double against power conference opponents. Only scored in double figures 6 times against power conference opponents. Only came up with 17 points and 12 rebounds in 65 total minutes across 3 SEC tournament games.

Still think he’s a nice long term piece but Pope has gotta go find an upgrade at that position in the portal for next season. I’m not with the fans penciling him in as a starter next season.
 

Smeegs

All-Conference
Nov 19, 2025
509
1,393
93
When the season began, he was being projected as our third string center riding the bench behind JQ and Garrison. Instead, he ended up being a starter and made the SEC all freshman team. So I’m quite pleased with his freshman season, he showed me more than I expected from him this season.

But I know some of y’all must always find something to ***** and complain about…
 
Feb 22, 2026
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362
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He’s still a teenager and wasn’t expected to carry the load that he has this season. We’re still probably two years away from seeing him as a fully realized player.
I’ll give you that for sure. With JQ hurt and BG not stepping up he played a crucial role for us this year. I just haven’t seen the production or skill that pope likes in his bigs to pencil him in as a starter next year. I’m grateful we had him this year don’t get me wrong. Just think Pope is gonna need to find 5 new starters in the portal.
 
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seccats04

Heisman
Dec 6, 2004
14,392
23,039
113
He’s an underdeveloped freshman, I’ll give him that. But how many of our upperclassmen look underdeveloped? Oweh, Aberdeen and Dioubate look like the only guys who have ever lifted a weight and that’s probably because they were developed at another program.
 

Cats192

Heisman
Apr 22, 2011
14,840
17,647
93
His Freshmen numbers are roughly double that of Sophomore Nick Richards. The following season, Jr. Nick Richards became a 1st team All-SEC player.

I didn't expect anything out of Moreno. He's been one of a few good surprises this season.

I'm all for getting "someone better" in the portal. Get the best players we can.
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
44,724
80,525
113
When the season began, he was being projected as our third string center riding the bench behind JQ and Garrison. Instead, he ended up being a starter and made the SEC all freshman team. So I’m quite pleased with his freshman season, he showed me more than I expected from him this season.

But I know some of y’all must always find something to ***** and complain about…
Definitely a good player we need to keep but he just isn’t at the level we need and that is sad right now.
 

Wildcat_in_DC

Senior
Nov 25, 2025
658
898
93
last 10 games....

21min - 6pts
32min - 7pts
12min - 4pts
27min - 6pts
22min - 5pts
27min - 11pts
27min - 8pts
24min - 7pts
29min - 6pts
21min - 11pts

he is good for 3 baskets a game because of his size but thats about it. sadly you can move on from him because he was on the all SEC freshman team. but its hard to see him really improving.
 

Skyhigh0324

Sophomore
Mar 3, 2026
86
117
18
He’s been a thoroughly average center this year. Only 1 double-double against power conference opponents. Only scored in double figures 6 times against power conference opponents. Only came up with 17 points and 12 rebounds in 65 total minutes across 3 SEC tournament games.

Still think he’s a nice long term piece but Pope has gotta go find an upgrade at that position in the portal for next season. I’m not with the fans penciling him in as a starter next season.
Unconditioned, Respectively! Sooooooo #Soft tho
 
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JASUN74

All-Conference
May 22, 2008
3,135
4,476
73
He’s been a thoroughly average center this year. Only 1 double-double against power conference opponents. Only scored in double figures 6 times against power conference opponents. Only came up with 17 points and 12 rebounds in 65 total minutes across 3 SEC tournament games.

Still think he’s a nice long term piece but Pope has gotta go find an upgrade at that position in the portal for next season. I’m not with the fans penciling him in as a starter next season.
Honestly, he wasn’t supposed to be playing this much this season but here we are. He’s got more than most people thought at this point and will be a good player the next few seasons. The kid only has upside from now on so can’t ask for more.
 

UK4Life#9

All-Conference
Jul 3, 2025
541
1,039
93
I’m all for getting the best players possible but I must be in the minority because I absolutely love Moreno and if he sticks around, he could be a lottery pick in another year or 2.

He wasn’t even thought of in terms of contribution in the preseason, by the way.
 
Feb 22, 2026
114
362
63
His Freshmen numbers are roughly double that of Sophomore Nick Richards. The following season, Jr. Nick Richards became a 1st team All-SEC player.

I didn't expect anything out of Moreno. He's been one of a few good surprises this season.

I'm all for getting "someone better" in the portal. Get the best players we can.
Fair, but Nick was much more athletic and a much more naturally gifted shot blocker.
 

Cats192

Heisman
Apr 22, 2011
14,840
17,647
93
last 10 games....

21min - 6pts
32min - 7pts
12min - 4pts
27min - 6pts
22min - 5pts
27min - 11pts
27min - 8pts
24min - 7pts
29min - 6pts
21min - 11pts

he is good for 3 baskets a game because of his size but thats about it. sadly you can move on from him because he was on the all SEC freshman team. but its hard to see him really improving.
lol. Why is it hard to see a freshmen improving?

I posted earlier. Sophomore Nick Richards averaged 4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. He became an All-SEC center the next season as a Junior.

Moreno averages 8 points and 6.4 rebounds. So virtually double what Richards did as a sophomore. If Richards could improve after a worse sophomore season--there's really no reason to think Moreno can't improve.
 
Feb 22, 2026
114
362
63
I’m all for getting the best players possible but I must be in the minority because I absolutely love Moreno and if he sticks around, he could be a lottery pick in another year or 2.

He wasn’t even thought of in terms of contribution in the preseason, by the way.
A lot of people are saying this but it’s not accurate. I started hearing hype of him beating out Garrison for minutes in the summer. Jack Pilgrim talked about it a lot. There was some preseason hype for him for sure
 

Wildcat_in_DC

Senior
Nov 25, 2025
658
898
93
lol. Why is it hard to see a freshmen improving?

I posted earlier. Sophomore Nick Richards averaged 4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. He became an All-SEC center the next season as a Junior.

Moreno averages 8 points and 6.4 rebounds. So virtually double what Richards did as a sophomore. If Richards could improve after a worse sophomore season--there's really no reason to think Moreno can't improve.
because you talent to improve.
 

ScWildcat3

Senior
Sep 27, 2005
363
533
93
Y’all do realize Floridas bigs all took 2-3 years to get better. Moreno has the potential. Get stronger and more confident with a mid range shot in the off season. Some of you say pope don’t develop anyone but who has he been able to develop so far? Chandler who has gotten better. Oweh who got way better than at Oklahoma. Can’t boot everyone freshman immediately then say he needs to develop guys.
 

sefus12

Heisman
Dec 22, 2007
7,091
18,895
103
Just another player not developed by Pope.

might have noticed a pattern?
What did you expect from him this year? He’s gotten better for sure, but he’s weak in a conference full of grown-*** men at his position.

Blame Pope for lots of things, but acting like he failed on MM is simply wrong and shows that some on here just want to complain about the coach and not talk ball.
 

co_dee

Redshirt
Dec 14, 2015
56
36
18
He’s been a thoroughly average center this year. Only 1 double-double against power conference opponents. Only scored in double figures 6 times against power conference opponents. Only came up with 17 points and 12 rebounds in 65 total minutes across 3 SEC tournament games.

Still think he’s a nice long term piece but Pope has gotta go find an upgrade at that position in the portal for next season. I’m not with the fans penciling him in as a starter next season.
He is a decent freshman.

You can’t run off Cal and then expect to continue to get guys who are ready to contribute right out of the gate on a college campus. If only you fools had thought about this beforehand.