The Milan Momcilovic recruitment is quickly becoming a saga in Lexington, at least as far as the attention of the Big Blue Nation is concerned. Since Kentucky was confirmed to make contact via Zoom, Momcilovic has had his name circled by many as the ultimate, cap-off addition to Kentucky's roster.
The lengthy wing sharpshooter appears to be the perfect candidate to jump into the spot in the lineup that Tyran Stokes was originally meant to. Yet, if he does come back to the collegiate level from NBA Draft consideration, Kentucky won't be along in his pursuit.
In fact, the recruitment could come down to a rivalry-fueled duel in the ever-bitter bluegrass. According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, who spoke with Momcilovic:
"...the quest for Momcilovic — the top-ranked player still left in the portal — could very well come down to Kentucky vs. Louisville." Talk about an absolute must-win for Mark Pope.
A Must-Win For Mark Pope
Coach Pope has hardly gone head-to-head on the recruiting trail with Pat Kelsey and Louisville thus far. The only example that I can recall was when, earlier this offseason, the two programs both pursued depth forward De'Shayne Montgomery.
Louisville landed the wing, and the Cats pivoted. Not a huge deal, but a notable one nonetheless.
With, again per the Herald-Leader, "some at the Combine actually viewing the Cards as the most likely landing spot for Momcilovic," Kentucky may already have a little ground to make up. But Kentucky is far from out of the picture in this one.
Not only did Momcilovic note the Wildcats as a "good fit," for him, but he described Pope's prior offense at BYU as one that he really likes. "I feel like I’d be a great player for him, and he’d be a good coach for me," Momcilovic said of Pope.
Truly Going All-In
From my perspective, to land a cornerstone shooter over your biggest rival - in the midst of an offseason in which that rival has landed some of the nation's biggest names - is about as crucial as any recruitment can get.
Whatever Kentucky has left over in NIL funds from the aforementioned Stokes' fallout should be tied up and thrown at Momcilovic's hotel doorstep at the NBA Draft Combine. If he leaves there, the blue and white have to make themselves known right out of the gate.
Victory in this particular battle would represent perhaps Pope's first big win in such a scenario. His recruiting strategy has seemed a little more "sneak in, slip out" than it has head-to-head fighting for a guy.
Again, now is the time to break that mold. Momcilovic has the potential to put this Kentucky roster over the top, and if this thing truly comes down to the blue and red, Coach Pope may have to push all his chips to the center of the table to keep this fanbase sane, among much else.
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