Kentucky Predicted by Analyst to Follow John Calipari Model After Milan Momcilovic Capture

June 12, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

Feb 8, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope talks with guard Otega Oweh (00) during the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. © Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

Kentucky are looking like a formidable team as the new college basketball season comes closer, with the addition of Milan Momcilovic in particular seeming like the best bit of business the Wildcats have done in a few years.

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Momcilovic will add some much needed size and shooting ability, with his scoring numbers from last season proof that Kentucky won’t be lacking in that department this time around.

And a Kentucky analyst has now made the comment that the addition of players like Momcilovic should make Mark Pope’s side look a lot like some of their competitors in the NCAA first division.

“Kentucky should fly up and down the floor. They should spread teams out,” Lance Dawe said on Locked on Kentucky.

“They should look more like an Alabama and Arkansas or a Florida in terms of their pace and their aggression and they should score a lot of points. Plus they just got the best shooter in the nation (Milan Momcilovic) who has the best gravity in the country.”

“It’s going to make things a bit easier for everybody else. This on paper works. It makes a ton of sense.”

John Calipari’s Arkansas Razorbacks are known for just what Dawe just mentioned, and while Pope wouldn’t want to outright copy his style of play, there cannot help but be some similarities with the players coming to Kentucky.

What’s Next for Mark Pope’s Men?

Milan Momcilovic’s addition is bound to make a huge difference, but the return of Malachi Moreno after his withdrawal from the NBA draft means just as much.

And it seems like that might not be all the business Pope has planned for the off season, as there is enough indication that a player more could be joining the team. Ryan Hampton was the latest to be recruited, and an assistant coach could be joining the fray soon too.

It’s a busy time in Lexington, and it might even be a winning time if things go according to plan for the Kentucky Wildcats.