Kentucky forward Milan Momcilovic scores 24 points in debut against Manhattan
The six-foot-nine shooter converted eight of 12 shots in an 85-57 win, joining a Wildcats squad that now holds the No. 20 spot in national rankings.
By Noor Morgan ·
Milan Momcilovic scored 24 points and grabbed five rebounds in his first game for Kentucky, helping the Wildcats defeat Manhattan 85-57 on Tuesday. The performance marked an immediate adjustment for the former Iowa State forward, who took 12 shots and made eight of them in the contest.
Momcilovic signed a contract worth approximately $6 million during the offseason. Kentucky pursued the 2026 All-Big 12 performer while operating under head coach Mark Pope, who is in his third year leading the program. The financial commitment reflects the current compensation structure in college athletics, which allows for substantial player earnings.
The forward demonstrated high efficiency from beyond the arc, making six of his nine three-point attempts. Last season at Iowa State, he shot 48.7 percent from long range while averaging 7.5 attempts per game. That shooting helped Iowa State reach the Sweet 16 for the second time in three years.
Mark Pope stated he wants Momcilovic to take 15 three-point shots per game if the team can create that volume. The coach noted that the target is realistic given the player's recent history. Following Tuesday's game, Momcilovic is shooting 49.3 percent from three-point range over his last 38 contests. This figure includes 37 games from his final season at Iowa State and his single game at Kentucky.
The victory secured Kentucky's third consecutive season-opening win. As of Wednesday morning, the Wildcats hold the No. 20 position in the CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 daily college basketball rankings. The result places the team among eight SEC schools currently listed in the Top 25 And 1.
Other SEC representatives in the rankings include No. 1 Florida, No. 6 Texas, No. 10 Arkansas, No. 16 Tennessee, No. 21 Alabama, No. 23 Missouri, and No. 25 Vanderbilt. No other conference has more than six teams in the rankings.
The win extended Kentucky's positive start to the season. The team will look to maintain its momentum as it continues its schedule in the SEC.
Source: CBS Sports
More Sports · National news · Report a business · Got a Story?
