Kentucky coach Mark Pope took a chance last offseason by claiming 6-foot-10 forward Brandon Garrison from the transfer portal to toughen up the Wildcats’ frontcourt. During the 2024-25 season, Garrison played well, appearing in 35 games and averaging 5.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks in 17.3 minutes per contest.
The strong performance earned the Oklahoma City native a starting role. However, Garrison has struggled in the first five games of the season, averaging 6.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. Consequently, fans pressured Pope on social media to reconsider starting Garrison in the frontcourt.
What Do Fans Say About Mark Pope’s Continued Faith in Brandon Garrison?
In Kentucky’s 83-66 defeat to Michigan State on Tuesday, Garrison was limited to two points, four rebounds, and two assists. He was mostly ineffective on the court, forcing Pope to deploy freshman Malachi Moreno to counter the Spartans’ speedy bigs.
Moreno came up with nine points, four rebounds, three assists, and one block in 20 minutes. He was more assertive on the paint compared to Garrison, making seven of eight free throws.
Fans have expressed concern about Pope’s constant deployment of Brandon Garrison to the starting five, despite the forward being exposed in the Wildcats’ 17-point loss to Michigan State. The Kentucky coach was burned with the decision, as they were outrebounded by the scrappy Spartans team.
One fan questioned Pope’s desire to win, tweeting: “If Pope is serious about winning he’ll bench Brandon Garrison?”
Another user called on the Kentucky coach to stop forcing Garrison to play for a longer period, writing: “Before I’m off this. Brandon Garrison is not good. They need to stop forcing his minutes. I thought it was just my tv screen. But in person he’s worse than your local YMCA hooper.”
Another fan urged the coaching staff to give Malachi Moreno more minutes and test the youngster as early as possible. He wrote: “There’s no reason to start Brandon Garrison. There’s no downside to making this move. There’s no worrying about him checking out, being upset, etc. He’s not good enough to worry about any of that. Moreno is better and has a real future in the program anyway.”
Another college basketball enthusiast further dwelled on the suggestion that Mouhamed Dioubate should get more touches from the outside and Moreno should get more minutes over Garrison, writing: “Seems like UK should just fast-forward through the part of the season where Pope lets Mo D have a green light from deep. Also, Malachi Moreno needs more of Garrison’s minutes.”
Seems like UK should just fast-forward through the part of the season where Pope lets Mo D have a green light from deep. Also, Malachi Moreno needs more of Garrison’s minutes.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) November 18, 2025
A Kentucky fan called on Pope to start Moreno over Garrison to avoid slow starts from happening again in the future, posting: “There will never be an occasion that Moreno should play behind Garrison. #bbn”
There will never be an occasion that Moreno should play behind Garrison. #bbn
— Chris Bailey (@Kentuckyweather) November 18, 2025
Another fan demanded the Wildcats’ coaching staff to provide a valid reason for Garrison’s constant deployment to the starting position. He posted: “My final thought of the night: I’d love to hear any sort of reasoning for why Brandon Garrison is a starter on this team, and why he is playing more minutes than Malachi Moreno Malachi is clearly the better player in every way. BG gives us absolutely nothing of value. Move on.”
My final thought of the night:
I’d love to hear any sort of reasoning for why Brandon Garrison is a starter on this team, and why he is playing more minutes than Malachi Moreno
Malachi is clearly the better player in every way. BG gives us absolutely nothing of value.
Move on pic.twitter.com/rO6yWEHALz
— tanin smith #BBN (@TaninSmithKK) November 19, 2025
The lack of frontcourt depth hurt Kentucky in its loss to Michigan State, which ruled the offensive rebounds (10-6) and points in the paint (30-24). Michigan State dominated Kentucky in the game, making 50% of its shots while limiting the Wildcats to 35%.
The Spartans had a 50% 3-point shooting clip while Mark Pope’s team settled for only 23% from deep. The Tom Izzo-coached squad ruled the assists department 25-13 despite committing more turnovers (13-9) and losing the fast break points battle (16-8).
No. 12 Kentucky (3-2) has a chance to bounce back on Nov. 21 when it plays Loyola Maryland (2-4) at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.
