Milan Momcilovic proved why Kentucky shelled out a reported $6 million for him, absolutely balling out in his Wildcats debut with a 24-point, 6-of-9 from deep performance against Manhattan on Tuesday night. This wasn’t just some casual showing either, it was a statement that immediately makes that “huge price” look like money incredibly well spent for the No. 20 team in the nation.
The Big Money Shooter Delivers Big Time
The 6-foot-9 forward didn’t waste any time getting comfortable in the blue and white. In Kentucky’s dominant 85-57 victory, Momcilovic took 12 shots, sinking eight of them to go with his five rebounds. But let’s be real, it was the three-point barrage that blew everyone away. He went 6-of-9 from beyond the arc, a stark reminder that he just might be the best pure shooter in college basketball. We already knew he was legit from his three years at Iowa State, where he shot an insane 48.7% from three on 7.5 attempts per game last season, helping them make their second Sweet 16 appearance in a three-year span. Kentucky coach Mark Pope is already dreaming big, saying after his third straight season-opening win, “I would like him to take 15 [3-pointers per game], if we can get him there.” You can bet everyone’s ready to see if Momcilovic can hit that wild goal.
Wildcats Look Strong in a Stacked SEC
Kentucky currently sits at No. 20 in Wednesday morning’s updated CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 daily rankings, a position they’ll be looking to climb with Momcilovic’s firepower. His consistency is undeniable, now shooting a blistering 49.3% from three-point range over his past 38 contests, which covers 37 games at Iowa State and his electrifying debut with Kentucky. The SEC, in general, looks like a beast of a conference, boasting eight schools in the Top 25 And 1. That’s more than any other conference out there. We’re talking No. 1 Florida, No. 6 Texas, No. 10 Arkansas, No. 16 Tennessee, No. 21 Alabama, No. 23 Missouri, and No. 25 Vanderbilt all battling it out alongside Kentucky. It’s going to be a slugfest!
Watching Momcilovic try to hit that double-digit number of three-point attempts per game is going to be something else. If Tuesday night was just a taste of what’s to come, then Kentucky fans have a truly special season ahead, pushing hard in one of the toughest conferences in the nation.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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