Milan Momcilovic’s Next Move
Milan Momcilovic, the Iowa State standout who topped the NCAA with 136 three‑point makes last season, announced that he is pulling his name from the NBA Draft and remaining in the transfer portal.
Over his three‑year Cyclones career he posted a 13.2‑point average and shot 42.8 percent from beyond the arc, but his breakout campaign in 2025‑26 saw him hit 48.7 percent from three and average 16.9 points while draining 136 treys in 37 games.
Kentucky’s Pursuit
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope finds himself in a recruiting duel with Louisville and the former St. John’s mentor Rick Pitino, though recent developments have effectively removed St. John’s from the equation, narrowing the field to Kentucky, Arizona and Louisville.
The Wildcats lost seven players to the transfer portal last season, creating a clear need for a proven shooter who can stretch defenses and create spacing for their interior game.
Implications for March Madness
Analysts suggest that Momcilovic’s arrival could push the Wildcats deeper into the NCAA tournament, recalling the 2026 second‑round upset where Iowa State eliminated Kentucky before the Wildcats fell to Tennessee in the Sweet 16.
If the sharpshooter commits, his ability to hit contested threes could prove decisive in close games, potentially altering the Wildcats’ tournament trajectory and giving them a stronger chance at a championship run.
Industry insiders say the decision may be revealed as early as this weekend, with Kentucky currently positioned as the frontrunner in the race.