Kentucky walk-ons get their own March Madness moment: "That's every kid's dream growing up."

It’s always special, but not unique to see walk-ons get some late run in early-season blowouts. Some of those non-conference games get out of hand in a hurry, setting up a fun minute or two as coaches unload the bench. Nothing like a good old fashioned victory formation.

Getting to do it during March Madness? That’s different. Not only are beatdowns harder to come by, chaos is inevitable, no matter the number next to your name. If there is anyone that knows that feeling, it’s Kentucky, especially here recently.

That’s what makes those 42 seconds to close out the Wildcats’ 76-57 win over Troy in the first round of the NCAA Tournament just a little sweeter than the rest. Up by as many as 25 points in the final minutes, Mark Pope was able to get Walker Horn, Grant Darbyshire and Zach Tow all in the game, the walk-ons permanently earning their place in the record books as postseason participants.

Walker Horn, Grant Darbyshire and Zach Tow make their NCAA Tournament debuts

What a night. pic.twitter.com/TPZaFXdUIP

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) March 22, 2025

For the players who see plenty of game action — including the first 39 minutes of the blowout win — they couldn’t have been happier for the guys who have given their all behind the scenes earning the reward of some run on college basketball’s biggest stage.

“I feel great for them, you know? That’s every kid’s dream growing up, to be in a March Madness game,” Amari Williams told KSR. “Just to see them out there with those smiles on their faces, that means a lot.”

“It was awesome. I mean, whenever you can win by enough to get the other guys in, it’s just a great feeling,” Otega Oweh added. “I know it’s probably something they’re going to remember.”

“Man, it’s cool to see that. That’s what we’re here for, to bring joy to everybody,” Lamont Butler said. “I know their families were happy to see them on the court. Hopefully in the tournament we get some more big wins so we can see them in.”

They do have one gripe, though. Why not fire away if you’re gonna get your moment?

“That was awesome. I was hoping Walker would would hit a three,” Trent Noah told KSR. “I mean, he does it on us and scouts team in practice all the time, so hoping he dribble it out and get him one up. But he decided not to.”

“I was hoping there would be at least one possession with a shot so at least one of them could pull it,” Williams added.

Knowing Horn, Butler said he’s got too much in his bag to reveal any of it to the world just yet. He’ll keep that private until the time is right — no showing off too much.

“Nah, nah, nah [laughs]. No showmanship, no showmanship,” he joked. “I’m glad he was able to get the ball, maybe get a good picture in. Seeing him in the tournament, he’s been a big help. I mean, all of the walk-ons have been a big help for us throughout the year.

“Just on scout team, going at us and giving us great looks for the other teams. It’s great to see them rewarded with an on-court moment like that.”

That didn’t stop Collin Chandler from wanting to see some of it.

“We were hoping to see some moves from Walker, see him dance around a little bit. He’s too good of a sport to do that,” he said.

Joking aside, they’re happy for their guys — Horn and Darbyshire for seeing the process through from one coach to the next and Tow for winning the team tryout spot last summer and turning it into an on-court opportunity in March Madness. You couldn’t write up a better story, right?

“That’s another cool thing, especially — I mean, Walker (Horn) and Grant (Darbyshire) have been there. They’ve been there and done that, they understand what this is,” Chandler told KSR. “But to see Zach (Tow) get in for March Madness? We’re so happy for him. He comes and works every day and helps us a lot on the scout team.”

“You love to see it, man. Love to see it,” Koby Brea added. “I know how much it means to them, especially on this stage, to be able to — even though it wasn’t for a long time, just to be out there, that’s got to be a blessing. I’m just happy for them that they were able to get them out there for a little bit. It’ll be cool to see their pictures.”

For those walk-ons, their 42 seconds are locked in as permanent core memories they’ll cherish for the rest of their lives. Dreams became a reality in that moment.

“That’s something that you do out in your driveway. When I’m out in the driveway, when I’m a little kid saying, ‘I’m checking in, playing for Kentucky,’ something like that,” Tow told KSR. “It’s a dream come true that it actually gets to happen. I was definitely feeling really blessed this morning.”

“It was really cool. Any chance to play in this tournament, it’s a great opportunity and I feel super blessed to be able to do that,” Darbyshire added. “It’s funny, my dad sent me a text after the game. He was like, ‘You’re the only person in our family to ever play in the NCAA Tournament.’ He was here, but he redshirted.

“It’s just a really cool experience. To do it with these guys, I think it’s even more special.”

The sweetest part for Tow? He had mom and dad in attendance to witness it after the former missed his debut in Kentucky’s win over LSU on Senior Night — she had a new grandchild to meet.

They got to celebrate his moment this time around in Milwaukee.

“My mom and dad are actually here. I was really excited because the first time that I went in at Rupp (Arena), my mom didn’t get to be there,” he said. “We just had a nephew — my sister had a kid — and she got to be there last night. It was really cool for her, she was ecstatic about it.”