When Kentucky landed Milan Momcilovic in the transfer portal, Mark Pope knew he was adding one of the most dangerous shooters in college basketball. After eight weeks of summer workouts, that belief appears to be getting even stronger.
Momcilovic arrived in Lexington following a remarkable season at Iowa State. The 6-foot-8 forward led the nation in three-point shooting at an incredible 48.7 percent while knocking down 136 triples on 7.5 attempts per game. Those numbers helped establish him as one of the premier perimeter threats in the country.
Now, Pope is learning just how comfortable Momcilovic is when the pressure rises.
Pope Tried Everything to Slow Him Down
Rather than allowing Momcilovic to cruise through summer workouts, Pope deliberately placed him in difficult situations. The goal was simple: challenge the sharpshooter and see whether he could maintain his efficiency under pressure.
According to Pope, that strategy has not exactly worked.
“He is so great, and he’s got a little cutting edge to him, too — a little fearless cutting edge to him,” Pope said in an interview with The Field of 68. “I tried so hard to get him off the shooting leaderboard all summer long, talking smack, putting him in weird situations, making him shoot shots that nobody else was shooting.”
Instead of backing down, Momcilovic continued to show the confidence that made Kentucky pursue him so aggressively.
Big Moments Could Be Momcilovic’s Strength
For many players, taking a crucial shot late in a close game can be one of the most stressful moments on the court. Pope believes Momcilovic is different.
The Kentucky coach sees a calmness in the forward that could make him especially dangerous when the stakes are highest.
“He’s got a calmness about the way he approaches competition,” Pope said. “I think competition brings anxiety to all of us — of course, it brings him anxiety also. But you know, the thing that makes most players the most anxious is shooting the ball in big moments in big games.”
Pope compared Momcilovic’s mentality to former Kentucky sharpshooter Koby Brea, noting that the biggest shots may actually be when Momcilovic feels most comfortable.
“It’s just his peaceful place,” Pope said.
Kentucky Could Give Him a Massive Green Light
That mentality could become extremely valuable for Kentucky next season.
Pope has assembled a roster with plenty of size, playmaking and shooting, but Momcilovic gives the Wildcats a weapon who can potentially change a game with just a few possessions. His ability to knock down difficult shots from deep should force opposing defenses to stretch out, creating opportunities for Kentucky’s other offensive weapons.
There is also a major record sitting within reach.
Kentucky’s single-season record for made three-pointers currently belongs to Jodie Meeks, who knocked down 117 triples. After making 136 threes at Iowa State last season, Momcilovic has already demonstrated that he is capable of challenging that mark.
Pope spent the summer trying to make things difficult for him. So far, Momcilovic has responded like a player who is built for exactly those moments.
And if that confidence carries into the regular season, Kentucky may have found one of the most reliable big-shot shooters in the country.
