Milan Momcilovic knows past struggles, eyeing deep Kentucky run

· Yahoo Sports

The Kentucky Wildcats had a strong 2024-25 season, but things certainly didn't quite go as planned in Mark Pope's second campaign. He clawed his way into the NCAA Tournament and then struggled when he got there, having barely taken down Utah State just to be destroyed by Iowa State in the Round of 32.

The Cats lost the bulk of their team, either to the draft, graduation or the transfer portal. Several weeks into the transfer portal having been open, the Cats return looked disappointing, although they did add necessary backcourt stars like Washington guard Zoom Diallo and Furman guard Alex Wilkins. The truth is simple: this team just didn't have much firepower, and most thought the additions were done for Pope. That's where you add in Milan Momcilovic, arguably the best shooter in college hoops a season ago.

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Momcilovic tested his luck at the NBA Draft and eventually withdrew and will be returning to collegiate territory, where he chose Kentucky for his last season. He played all three prior with Iowa State. Why did he choose Kentucky? Well, at least part of the matter is that Pope believes he's the perfect player for his system, and that's what Momcilovic recently relayed as well.

Pope wants to run, and he wants to shoot bunches of three pointers this season, like he did with the BYU Cougars. Momcilovic is going to help the Cats do just that, so there's good reason to believe he is the quintessential Pope player. Now, at that stage in the transfer portal, he was really the only elite option that could change the trajectory of this roster, and Pope likely knew that as well.

Momcilovic attempted 7.5 threes per game last season, connecting on 3.7 of those, or 48.7% on the season. He shot 50.6% from the field and averaged 3.6 non-three-point field goal attempts, so he certainly likes to hoist them from deep. Hopefully, for all parties, it is the perfect connection.

This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Milan Momcilovic knows past struggles, eyeing deep Kentucky run

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