Mark Pope isn’t asking Milan Momcilovic to be more accurate from three-point range—he’s actually asking him to shoot more, even if it means his percentage drops. It’s an unconventional approach, but one the Kentucky head coach believes will unlock the full potential of one of college basketball’s most dangerous shooters.
Last season at Iowa State, Momcilovic led the nation among high-volume shooters by knocking down an incredible 48.7 percent of his three-point attempts. He made 136 threes during the season, establishing himself as one of the elite perimeter threats in college basketball.
Now wearing Kentucky blue, Momcilovic says Pope has challenged him to become even more aggressive. The Wildcats coach wants him taking around 10 three-point attempts per game, believing that a slight drop in efficiency would simply reflect a much larger offensive role.
While Pope is willing to sacrifice a few percentage points, there’s one statistic he refuses to see decline: total made three-pointers. After making 136 threes last season, Pope believes Momcilovic has everything needed to challenge Kentucky’s single-season record.
That record currently belongs to Jodie Meeks, who knocked down 117 three-pointers during the 2008-09 season. Other Kentucky stars such as Jamal Murray, Malik Monk, and Travis Ford also rank among the program’s all-time leaders, but Pope believes Momcilovic has a real opportunity to surpass them all.
Momcilovic embraces the challenge. He understands that his value isn’t measured only by shooting percentage but also by the pressure he puts on opposing defenses through volume and confidence. His goal is not only to make history individually but to help Kentucky compete for championships.
He also praised the talent surrounding him, pointing to Kentucky’s experienced guards, standout center Malachi Moreno, and a deep roster filled with returning players and talented newcomers. Those pieces, he believes, will create plenty of opportunities for him to thrive within Pope’s system.
The excitement extends beyond the court. Momcilovic can’t wait to experience Big Blue Madness and play his first game inside Rupp Arena as a Wildcat. Having heard so much about Kentucky’s passionate fan base, he’s eager to finally experience the atmosphere firsthand.
If Pope’s bold strategy works, Big Blue Nation could witness one of the greatest three-point shooting seasons in school history. And if Momcilovic starts filling up the stat sheet the way his coach expects, Kentucky’s record book may soon need a new name at the top.
