When Kentucky landed Iowa State transfer Milan Momcilovic through the transfer portal, it immediately became one of the biggest additions of the offseason. Mark Pope didn’t just add another talented player to his roster—he secured one of the most feared shooters in all of college basketball.
After an outstanding sophomore season with the Cyclones, expectations for Momcilovic have never been higher. Many analysts and fans believe he’s perfectly suited for Pope’s fast-paced, offense-first system, one that has consistently allowed elite shooters to thrive.
That is why many Kentucky fans were stunned when CBS Sports analyst Isaac Trotter released his preseason All-American teams and left Momcilovic completely off the list.
For Big Blue Nation, the omission wasn’t just surprising—it felt like a major oversight.
After everything Momcilovic accomplished last season and considering the opportunity now in front of him at Kentucky, many expected his name to be among the nation’s top 15 players entering the new season.
Instead, he was nowhere to be found.
The decision has sparked debate among Kentucky fans, with many wondering how one of college basketball’s most dangerous offensive weapons could be overlooked before the season has even begun.
One of the Nation’s Elite Shooters
Momcilovic’s numbers from last season speak for themselves.
While playing for Iowa State, he averaged 16.9 points per game, leading the Cyclones in scoring. Even more impressive was his remarkable efficiency from beyond the three-point line.
He connected on 48.7 percent of his three-point attempts while averaging 7.5 shots from deep per game.
Those aren’t simply good numbers.
They’re elite.
Very few players in college basketball can combine that kind of volume with such incredible accuracy.
Every defense that faced Iowa State knew exactly what Momcilovic was capable of doing.
Stopping him was another matter entirely.
Whether spotting up from the perimeter, coming off screens, or knocking down difficult contested jumpers, he consistently proved he was one of the country’s most complete perimeter shooters.
That reputation followed him into the transfer portal.
Mark Pope Found His Perfect Shooter
There may not have been a better fit in the transfer portal than Milan Momcilovic joining Mark Pope’s system.
Throughout his coaching career, Pope has built offenses around spacing, ball movement, and perimeter shooting.
His philosophy creates open looks for players who can consistently punish defenses from long range.
Few players in America fit that description better than Momcilovic.
Kentucky fans have every reason to believe his production could become even more impressive wearing blue and white.
Unlike Iowa State’s more defensive-minded approach, Kentucky is expected to play with pace, move the basketball freely, and emphasize offensive efficiency.
That could allow Momcilovic to become even more dangerous.
Rather than forcing difficult shots late in possessions, he’ll have talented teammates capable of creating opportunities and drawing defensive attention away from him.
For a shooter of his caliber, that could be a frightening combination.
Why Was He Left Off?
Isaac Trotter’s preseason All-American selections certainly surprised Kentucky fans, but there are understandable reasons why he may have chosen other players.
One possible explanation is Kentucky’s tremendous offensive depth.
Unlike last season, when Momcilovic served as Iowa State’s primary scoring option, he’ll now share the floor with several talented offensive players.
Kentucky’s roster is loaded with capable scorers.
That means his individual scoring average could decrease, even if his overall impact becomes even greater.
Sometimes All-American recognition favors players with massive statistical production.
Sharing the spotlight can make those numbers harder to achieve.
Another factor may be the overall balance of Momcilovic’s game.
There’s little debate about his shooting ability.
It’s among the best in college basketball.
However, All-American voters often look beyond scoring alone.
Last season, Momcilovic averaged 3.1 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game.
While those numbers aren’t poor, they don’t necessarily match the complete statistical profiles produced by some of the nation’s most versatile stars.
If he can increase his contributions as a rebounder, defender, and playmaker, his case for postseason honors becomes even stronger.
Numbers Don’t Tell the Whole Story
Basketball has never been only about statistics.
Some players impact winning in ways that don’t always appear in the box score.
Momcilovic is one of those players.
His shooting changes everything.
The moment he steps onto the floor, defenses must account for him.
Opponents can’t afford to leave him open, even for a second.
That kind of gravity creates opportunities for everyone else.
Driving lanes become wider.
Post players receive fewer double teams.
Teammates find themselves with cleaner looks because defenders are reluctant to help off an elite shooter.
Those effects rarely appear beside a player’s name after the game.
But coaches understand how valuable they truly are.
Mark Pope certainly does.
Kentucky Could Unlock Another Level
Perhaps the most exciting part of this story is that many believe Kentucky fans haven’t yet seen the best version of Milan Momcilovic.
Pope’s offensive system has earned praise for maximizing skilled shooters.
Quick ball movement.
Constant spacing.
Multiple scoring threats.
Those principles force defenses into impossible decisions.
Leave Momcilovic open, and he’ll make you pay from three.
Focus too heavily on him, and Kentucky’s other scorers become even more dangerous.
It’s the kind of offensive balance every coach dreams of building.
That’s why so many people believe Lexington could become the perfect stage for Momcilovic’s biggest season yet.
Motivation for a Breakout Year
Great athletes often use perceived slights as motivation.
Whether Momcilovic views his omission as disrespect or simply another preseason prediction, it provides additional fuel entering the season.
Every great shooter carries confidence.
Every elite competitor remembers who doubted them.
Kentucky fans are already hoping this omission becomes one of the biggest motivational tools of the Wildcats’ season.
If Momcilovic performs the way many expect, conversations surrounding postseason awards may look very different by March.
A Historic Opportunity Awaits
There is genuine excitement surrounding what Momcilovic could accomplish in a Kentucky uniform.
Many already believe he has the potential to become one of the program’s greatest three-point shooters in recent memory.
With Pope encouraging aggressive perimeter offense, Rupp Arena could witness an unforgettable display of long-range shooting throughout the season.
Fans can already imagine the roar inside the arena as three-pointer after three-pointer splashes through the net.
It’s one of the biggest reasons expectations remain sky-high for this Kentucky team.
Big Blue Nation Is Ready
Whether national analysts recognize it today or not, Kentucky fans believe they know exactly what kind of player has arrived in Lexington.
They’ve watched the highlights.
They’ve studied the statistics.
They understand how perfectly Momcilovic fits Mark Pope’s vision for the Wildcats.
Preseason lists generate headlines every summer.
But they don’t determine what happens once the games begin.
Those honors are earned on the court.
If Momcilovic continues shooting at the remarkable level he displayed last season while expanding the rest of his game, there’s every reason to believe he’ll force his way into every All-American conversation by season’s end.
For now, though, the preseason omission has only added another layer of anticipation.
Sometimes all a great player needs is a little extra motivation.
And if the national media has truly overlooked one of college basketball’s deadliest shooters, Kentucky’s opponents may soon pay the price.
As the Wildcats prepare for another exciting campaign under Mark Pope, one thing is becoming increasingly clear.
Milan Momcilovic isn’t focused on preseason recognition.
He’s focused on winning.
And if his shooting lights up Rupp Arena the way many expect, the same analysts who left him off their preseason lists may have no choice but to include him when the postseason honors are announced.
For Big Blue Nation, that’s exactly how they hope this story ends.
