Milan Momcilovic Just Showed Why Kentucky’s Offense Could Be Dangerous

Kentucky needed one game to show what Milan Momcilovic can bring to its offense.

The transfer forward scored 24 points and knocked down six three-pointers in Tuesday’s 85–57 victory over Manhattan. He finished 8-for-12 from the floor and 6-for-9 from beyond the arc, giving the Wildcats an immediate scoring threat in his Kentucky debut.

Manhattan will not provide the toughest defensive examination Kentucky faces this season. But the value of a shooter like Momcilovic extends well beyond the quality of the opponent. A defense has to account for him before he touches the ball.

That is where his importance to Mark Pope’s offense begins.

His shooting can change everyone else’s opportunities

A dependable perimeter threat forces choices. Help off Momcilovic to stop a drive, and Kentucky can look for the kickout. Stay attached to him, and the ball handler has more space to attack.

Those possibilities become especially valuable late in possessions. When an initial action fails, an offense still needs somewhere productive to go. Having a shooter who demands close attention can make the next pass or drive easier.

Kentucky should build on that threat through movement. Screening for Momcilovic, relocating him after passes and using him to occupy help defenders can create value even when he never takes the shot.

The next step is watching whether that attention produces efficient opportunities for his teammates. Six made threes are an excellent individual result. An offense that keeps finding good looks after opponents adjust would be a more significant development.

Better defenses will demand more

Kentucky cannot expect Momcilovic to make two-thirds of his three-point attempts every night.

Opponents will try to deny clean catches, crowd his space and force him to put the ball on the floor. Some will switch screening actions; others will chase him toward help.

His response will matter. A quick extra pass can punish an aggressive closeout. A purposeful cut can exploit an overplay. Forcing a contested jumper simply because the previous one went in would help the defense.

Pope also needs productive possessions when Momcilovic sits or has a cold stretch. Shooting can lift an offense, but Kentucky still needs ball security, interior pressure and enough defensive consistency to survive ordinary shooting nights.

Tuesday offered an encouraging starting point. Momcilovic gave Kentucky a clear demonstration of his scoring ability, and the Wildcats now have an opportunity to develop the actions around it.

The most promising possibility is that his shooting helps teammates become harder to guard, too.