Milan Momcilovic is beginning to get a firsthand look at what makes Mark Pope’s Kentucky offense so difficult to defend—and one part of sophomore center Malachi Moreno’s game has already caught his attention.
During Kentucky’s Media Day, Momcilovic praised Moreno’s passing ability, admitting that he did not fully realize how effective the young big man could be as a facilitator until they started battling against each other in practice.
That changed quickly.
According to UK Athletics, Moreno has repeatedly shown an ability to find teammates with well-timed passes, including backdoor feeds that have created easy scoring opportunities for Momcilovic.
For a player known primarily for his shooting, those passes could become a major part of Momcilovic’s game in Kentucky’s offense.
Moreno Brings More Than Size
Moreno has already attracted plenty of attention because of his size and ability to operate around the basket. But his passing could add another layer to his offensive game.
His ability to handle the ball and make plays from the top of the key forces defenders to make difficult decisions.
If a defender leaves Momcilovic to help on Moreno, the Kentucky center can potentially find the open shooter. If defenders stay attached to shooters, Moreno can attack the defense or locate a cutter.
That versatility could make Kentucky much harder to guard.
Momcilovic Can Do More Than Stand Behind the Arc
Momcilovic’s elite shooting ability makes him an obvious threat from three-point range, but Kentucky’s offensive system could allow him to have a much larger impact.
Rather than simply waiting in the corner for an open shot, Momcilovic can move constantly through the offense.
He can come off screens, use pin-downs, make backdoor cuts, relocate after passes and attack defenders who close out too aggressively.
That movement becomes even more dangerous when a player like Moreno can recognize those opportunities and deliver the pass.
Kentucky’s Chemistry Is Starting to Show
The developing connection between Moreno and Momcilovic could become one of the most interesting aspects of Kentucky’s offense this season.
Moreno provides size and playmaking from the frontcourt, while Momcilovic gives the Wildcats a dangerous perimeter shooting threat. Their skill sets complement each other naturally.
If defenses focus too much attention on Moreno, Momcilovic could find open looks.
If defenders chase Momcilovic around the perimeter, Moreno could have more room to create.
That type of versatility is exactly what Pope appears to be building.
Kentucky still has plenty to prove once the games begin, but Momcilovic’s early experience with Moreno is already revealing something important: the Wildcats may have far more offensive creativity than simply relying on individual scoring.
And if Moreno keeps finding Momcilovic on those backdoor cuts, Kentucky fans could be seeing that connection quite often this season.
