Milan Momcilovic is going to be a difference maker for whoever he decides to play for. When you've got 6-foot-8 forward that shoots over 45% from deep, you've got a perennial matchup nightmare. But it's not clear at this time where the star transfer will go, as Kentucky, Louisville, and Arizona seem to be the top choices as of this moment and actively battling things out.
So, what kind of options does Mark Pope have regardless of what Momcilovic does? Well, BBN, things should be fine either way, even if his addition would raise this team's ceiling to an undeniable degree.
Being unable to play different styles was a real weakness of Kentucky's last season; a lot of the team's success came when Otega Oweh and Denzel Aberdeen bullied their way into the paint and, if they were lucky, got to the line.
But when that method was taken away, the Cats' offense became completely blunt, just as we all saw when Iowa State held them to 63 points even without star Joshua Jefferson in March Madness.
Kentucky Has a Scary Roster
Still, taking a look at the updated roster, far more shot creators are readily available than there were last season. The best lineup (in my mind) if Momcilovic decides to go elsewhere is still scary:
PG: Zoom Diallo
SG: Alex Wilkins
SF: Braydon Hawthorne
PF: Kam Williams
C: Malachi Moreno
Both Diallo and Wilkins shoot it under 33% from deep, but each excel at getting downhill and finishing. If Wilkins' outside shot develops even a little (a likely possibility), it'd open up a ton of space for Diallo to work his midrange magic. That man's floater is nearly automatic on film.
Hawthorne, additionally, redshirted last season and is now ready to remind folks of his former top-35 status. Willians is coming back after an injury derailed his season last year, bearing the potential to be a 40%+ shooter from range and, while Moreno has to develop physically, his potential as an SEC double-double machine is what made him a dangerous name in the NBA Draft pool.
The bench, then, would consist of Ousmane N’Diaye, Jerone Morton, Justin McBride, and Franck Kepnang, with Trent Noah and Reece Potter spelling supposedly last-ditch minutes.
That's a fairly solid rotation with the ability to go to a three-guard lineup or play big with Hawthorne at the two, Williams at the three, McBride at the four, and N'Diaye at the five. It's just a versatile group already.
The Big-Time Alternative
But Momcilovic does in fact come to Kentucky (fingers crossed), that'd move Hawthorne or Williams to the bench to be the sixth man, unless N'Diaye starts at the four.
PG: Zoom Diallo
SG: Alex Wilkins
SF: Kam Williams
PF: Milan Momcilovic
C: Malachi Moreno
The one issue with this lineup, to me, would be rebounding. Momcilovic averaged just three boards per game as a Cyclone; if he was slotted in at the four, that number would likely have to creep up. Although again, that isn't his only designation.
A lot would depend on Moreno either way, who is already expected to see a bump on the glass. But with this bunch, Kentucky benefits from two 40%+ long range shooters sitting in the corners with Wilkins and Diallo slamming into the paint. Scoring options all around in Lexington, this way.
Kentucky plainly has a bevy of potential ways to play, and after last season, that's a welcome change of pace. All eyes are now on Milan Momcilovic, whose decision may come before the weekend is over and spell the Cats' fate in one of these two directions.
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