The wait is finally over for Big Blue Nation.
Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats officially took the court Tuesday for their first fall practice of the 2026-27 season, marking another major step toward the start of a highly anticipated campaign.
With the first games now just weeks away, Kentucky has entered the final stage of preparation. Practices will give Pope and his staff an opportunity to continue building chemistry, establish roles and prepare the Wildcats for the challenges ahead.
One of the biggest storylines surrounding the opening practice was the status of Milan Momcilovic.
The Iowa State transfer has been working his way back after suffering a jammed finger on his shooting hand. Despite the injury, Momcilovic was back on the court Tuesday and getting shots up while wearing a splint.
Kentucky also shared video of the talented shooter knocking down jumpers, providing an encouraging glimpse of his progress as the season approaches.
Momcilovic’s shooting ability is expected to be an important part of Kentucky’s offensive attack, making his return to the practice floor a development worth watching closely.
The Wildcats now have 24 days until their first exhibition matchup against Little Rock on October 16 at Rupp Arena.
Kentucky will then face Texas Tech and UCF in additional exhibition action before officially opening the regular season against Manhattan on November 3.
For Pope and his players, the countdown is officially underway.
The first practice does not answer every question surrounding the Wildcats, but it represents an important milestone. With the roster finally getting meaningful practice time together, Kentucky can now begin turning offseason expectations into on-court preparation.
And for Big Blue Nation, basketball season is officially back in Lexington.
