Mark Pope’s Kentucky Wildcats are heading into the 2026-27 season with plenty of expectations, and the latest player and team rankings provide an interesting look at how outside analysts view the roster.
One of the biggest names in college basketball analytics, Evan Miyakawa of EvanMiya.com, recently released rankings for players and teams across the country. Kentucky’s results offered both plenty of encouragement and a few areas for Pope and his staff to address.
The Wildcats landed at No. 18 nationally in Miyakawa’s team rankings, placing Kentucky firmly among the teams expected to be part of the national conversation this season.
But the individual rankings may be even more revealing.
Kentucky had three players crack the national top 100, led by sophomore center Malachi Moreno, who was ranked No. 11 overall. Milan Momcilovic followed at No. 46, while Zoom Diallo came in at No. 67.
That gives Pope three players ranked inside the top 70 nationally, a strong indication of the talent sitting near the top of Kentucky’s rotation.
Moreno Leads the Way
Moreno’s No. 11 ranking puts him in elite company entering his next season in Lexington.
After choosing to return to Kentucky rather than continue toward the NBA, Moreno enters the season with significant expectations. His size and interior presence give Kentucky an important foundation, but his offensive efficiency will be one of the areas to watch.
If Moreno can take a step forward offensively, his ranking suggests just how valuable he could become for the Wildcats.
Momcilovic Adds Another High-Level Piece
Momcilovic’s return was another major development for Pope.
The former Iowa State standout is ranked No. 46 nationally, giving Kentucky a proven offensive weapon with the ability to stretch the floor.
However, the next step for Momcilovic could involve expanding his overall game. Becoming more involved as a playmaker and contributor in different areas could make his impact even greater.
Diallo Rounds Out Kentucky’s Top Three
Zoom Diallo is ranked No. 67, making him the third Kentucky player inside the national top 100.
His presence gives Pope another high-level piece to work with and creates a clear top tier within the Wildcats’ roster according to the rankings.
There is, however, a noticeable gap after Kentucky’s top three.
Kam Williams is ranked No. 250, while Alex Wilkins is ranked No. 608. That doesn’t necessarily determine how either player will perform during the season, but it does show how heavily the current projections are concentrated around Kentucky’s leading trio.
Now Comes the Difficult Part for Pope
Having talent is one thing. Turning that talent into a cohesive team is another.
That’s the biggest question facing Pope as Kentucky moves closer to the start of the season.
The Wildcats have several players capable of making an impact, but their success will depend on how those individual strengths fit together. Moreno will need to continue developing offensively, while Momcilovic will be asked to expand his all-around influence.
Diallo will also have an important role as Kentucky looks to maximize its top-end talent.
For Pope, the challenge is no longer simply assembling the roster. It’s finding the right combination and getting those pieces to function together.
Kentucky opens the 2026-27 season on November 3 against Manhattan before facing Kansas on November 10.
The rankings have given BBN an early glimpse of what analysts see in this Kentucky team. Now, Pope and his players will have the opportunity to show how accurate those projections are once the games begin.
