On of the greatest traditions in college basketball will occur again on Saturday when Kentucky hosts its final regular season game of the season (vs. Florida, 4 p.m., ESPN) and honors its senior class. The event that has come to be known as Senior Day is always an emotional time for the players, the coaches and even the fans.
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope has been through Senior Day at Kentucky. Pope is a firm believer in UK and the basketball experience that players get in Lexington.
“I don’t know if anybody has ever left year and thought, man, I wish I could have one more day,” Pope said. “It’s such a unique, incredible basketball experience. There’s no place like it.”
Kentucky will honor a four-man senior class on Saturday – Denzel Aberdeen, Walker Horn, Otega Oweh and Zach Tow.
Oweh is completing his second season in a Kentucky uniform and the New Jersey native has left a mark on this program. Oweh has scored over 1,000 points and has been the leading scorer on consecutive Kentucky teams. Pope knows that Oweh’s imprint on the Kentucky program will be felt for years to come.
“Otega’s interesting because you just keep asking more from him,” Pope said. “His career here, with what he’s contributed to the two teams he’s been a part of is just remarkable.”
Aberdeen joined Kentucky this season after winning a national championship at Florida last year. Pope talked about Aberdeen’s contributions to Kentucky this season.
“His fingerprints are all over everything about this year,” Pope said. “In terms of the real challenges about playing out of position and assuming a role he didn’t expect. He’s just grown so much over the course of the season.”
Horn will be completing his fourth year in a UK uniform and Pope had nothing but praise for him.
“Walker’s been awesome,” Pope said. “He’s born to coach. If that’s the direction he goes, he’s going to be a big-time coach.”
Tow is unique in that he had to earn his walk-on spot on the team. However, Pope knows there are big things ahead for the Madisonville native.
“He’s been going through the law school application process and last week, he got the news that he’s been accepted to UK law school,” Pope said. “The guys were in tears.”
Kentucky will honor the Class of 2026 on Saturday and it will be a special day for the players, the coaches and the fans, as it always has been.
