When Kentucky forward Milan Momcilovic met with reporters on Thursday, one thing became immediately clear: he understands just how dramatically college basketball has changed. While his on-court skills have already earned him respect, his perspective on the evolving landscape of the sport offered another glimpse into why he could become such an important piece for the Wildcats this season.
Asked whether competing in the Big 12 had prepared him for life in the SEC, Momcilovic delivered an answer that perfectly captured the new reality of college basketball in the transfer portal era.
“A couple of years ago, I feel like the conferences were a little different,” Momcilovic explained. “Now, I feel like they’re a lot more similar with everybody transferring. Obviously, the SEC is a little more faster and athletic. I would say just now with all of these transfers, it’s a little more closer together, the Big 12 and SEC. I feel like the transition won’t be too hard.”
His comments reflect how quickly the balance of power across college basketball has evolved. Not long ago, each major conference had a distinct identity. The Big 12 was known for its physical, defensive-minded style. The SEC featured elite athletes and fast-paced play. The ACC emphasized skill and tradition, while the Big Ten built its reputation on size and toughness.
Today, however, those differences are becoming increasingly difficult to identify.
The transfer portal has transformed roster building across the country. Programs are no longer relying solely on recruiting and player development over several years. Instead, coaches can quickly reshape their teams by adding experienced talent from virtually every conference in America. As a result, playing styles, talent levels, and overall competitiveness have become much more balanced from league to league.
Momcilovic has experienced that transformation firsthand.
After spending two seasons at Iowa State Cyclones men’s basketball, he now joins Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball with more than 100 collegiate games already under his belt. Few players entering a new program possess that combination of experience and familiarity with high-level competition.
His career has also spanned one of the most significant periods of change in college athletics. He began playing before the latest wave of conference realignment dramatically reshaped the national landscape and has now witnessed how quickly those changes have affected the game.
That experience could prove invaluable for Kentucky.
The Wildcats are entering another demanding SEC campaign, where nearly every conference game presents an NCAA Tournament-level challenge. Yet Momcilovic doesn’t appear intimidated by what’s ahead because he has already competed in one of the nation’s toughest leagues.
The Big 12 has consistently ranked among college basketball’s premier conferences in recent years. Every week featured nationally ranked opponents, hostile road environments, and little margin for error.
Last season alone demonstrated just how unforgiving the conference could be. Iowa State spent part of the year ranked as high as No. 2 nationally before later entering the Big 12 Tournament as only the No. 5 seed despite still being ranked inside the national top 10. That remarkable scenario illustrated the incredible depth throughout the conference, where even elite teams regularly faced difficult matchups every night.
It’s precisely that environment that has prepared Momcilovic for the weekly grind awaiting him in the SEC.
Rather than viewing the move as a major adjustment, he believes the similarities between today’s Power Four conferences outweigh the differences. While he acknowledged that the SEC still features exceptional athleticism and tempo, he doesn’t expect a steep learning curve because the level of competition has become much more uniform.
His confidence should be encouraging for Kentucky fans.
Experienced players who have succeeded against elite competition often adapt more quickly to new systems and expectations. Momcilovic has already proven he can perform under pressure while facing nationally ranked opponents on a regular basis. That background gives Kentucky another veteran presence capable of handling the intensity that comes with SEC basketball.
His understanding of the modern college game also highlights a broader truth about today’s landscape. Success is no longer determined simply by conference affiliation or historical reputation. With players transferring freely and coaches rebuilding rosters every offseason, talent is distributed more evenly than ever before.
For Kentucky, adding a player like Momcilovic means gaining someone who not only brings proven production but also a mature perspective on where college basketball is headed. He recognizes that adapting quickly, embracing change, and competing against high-level opponents are simply part of today’s game.
If his assessment is correct, Kentucky won’t be adding a player facing a difficult adjustment. Instead, the Wildcats will be welcoming a seasoned veteran who believes the path from the Big 12 to the SEC is far smoother than it would have been just a few years ago—a belief shaped by experience and by the ever-changing world of college basketball.
