The addition of Milan Momcilovic has completely changed the outlook for Kentucky Basketball heading into the upcoming season. After weeks of uncertainty surrounding roster construction, Wildcats fans suddenly have plenty of reasons to be excited.
Momcilovic’s combination of size, shooting, and versatility gives head coach Mark Pope a powerful new weapon and opens the door to several fascinating lineup combinations.
When Kentucky landed Momcilovic, most conversations focused on his elite perimeter shooting. After all, he knocked down an impressive 48 percent of his three-point attempts last season. However, his impact extends far beyond his shooting numbers. His ability to stretch defenses creates opportunities for everyone around him, particularly Kentucky’s guards who thrive attacking the basket.
One of the most exciting possibilities is Kentucky’s potential small-ball lineup. In today’s game, spacing is often king, and few teams may be able to match the shooting Kentucky could put on the floor. By surrounding the court with multiple three-point threats, the Wildcats could force opposing defenses into impossible decisions.
A spacing-heavy lineup could feature Alex Wilkins at point guard, Jerone Morton or Braydon Hawthorne at shooting guard, Kam Williams on the wing, Momcilovic at power forward, and Justin McBride at center. On paper, that group offers shooting at nearly every position and enough offensive firepower to erase deficits in a hurry.
The biggest strength of this lineup would be its ability to play five-out basketball. Defenders would be pulled away from the paint, creating driving lanes for Kentucky’s guards. Opponents would have to choose between helping on penetration or staying attached to shooters who can make them pay from beyond the arc.
Of course, every lineup has weaknesses. While the spacing group could be devastating offensively, it may struggle on the defensive end. Momcilovic is not a traditional interior defender, and Kentucky could face challenges against teams with dominant post players. Rebounding would also become a major concern against bigger and more physical opponents.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Kentucky possesses enough size to roll out one of the tallest lineups in college basketball. Imagine Zoom Diallo at point guard, Kam Williams and Momcilovic on the wings, Ousmane N’Diaye at power forward, and Malachi Moreno anchoring the middle. That lineup would overwhelm many opponents with sheer length.
The advantages of such a massive lineup are obvious. Kentucky could dominate the glass, protect the rim, and create matchup nightmares in the post. Even more impressive, the lineup still contains multiple capable shooters, preventing defenses from simply packing the paint.
However, size often comes with trade-offs. Foot speed could become an issue against quicker teams that rely on pace and ball movement. Opponents might attempt to spread Kentucky out and force their bigger players to defend in space. Whether this lineup becomes a regular option remains to be seen, but it provides Pope with another strategic tool.
Another fascinating possibility is a defensive switching lineup built specifically for closing games. Kentucky struggled at times defending pick-and-roll actions last season, but the new roster may provide a solution. A group featuring Alex Wilkins, Jerone Morton, Braydon Hawthorne, Kam Williams, and Ousmane N’Diaye would give Kentucky exceptional defensive versatility.
In that lineup, nearly every player could guard multiple positions. The Wildcats could switch screens without creating major mismatches, making life difficult for opposing offenses. Teams that rely heavily on isolations or pick-and-rolls could find themselves frustrated by Kentucky’s length and athleticism.
While rebounding responsibilities would need to be shared collectively, the defensive upside is significant. Pope could also utilize aggressive trapping schemes with this group, knowing he has enough mobility and length on the floor to recover and rotate effectively.
Despite all these creative combinations, the most likely outcome is that Kentucky starts with a balanced lineup. A projected starting five of Zoom Diallo, Alex Wilkins, Kam Williams, Milan Momcilovic, and Malachi Moreno offers a strong mix of offense, defense, shooting, and size. It may not be the flashiest lineup, but it provides stability at every position.
For this group to reach its full potential, several players will need to elevate their games. Momcilovic must contribute more on the boards than he did at Iowa State, while Moreno will need to continue developing as a playmaker and decision-maker. If those improvements happen, Kentucky could possess one of the most complete starting units in the country.
Ultimately, the greatest advantage for Mark Pope may be flexibility. Few programs entering the season can match Kentucky’s ability to adjust styles depending on the opponent. Whether the Wildcats want to play small and fast, big and physical, defense-first, or spacing-heavy basketball, the roster now appears equipped for all of it. That versatility could become one of Kentucky’s biggest strengths as they pursue another memorable season in Lexington.
