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John Calipari to Emphasize Defense the Rest of the Season, “It Will Be 70% of What We Work On”

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2 years ago

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Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari reacts during the first half against the Marshall Thundering Herd at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center.
© Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky has struggled mightily on defense this season. After having a rough two-week stretch losing to South Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee, the main focus is now improving defensively. That is something that John Calipari said will be the focus from here on out.

“The emphasis for the rest of the year…. 70% of it will be defense,” Calipari said on Tuesday night after Kentucky’s win at Vanderbilt. On his weekly radio show on Wednesday, Calipari stressed that focus even more. “If you’re hurting us defensively, you can’t be in,” adding that players have been holding each other accountable.

A big issue on the defensive end has been defending the perimeter, as the Wildcats have given up ten or more three-pointers in four of their last five games, which include three losses. “We gotta guard the three-ball better,” Calipari said. “We shoot it so well, that should be our advantage. We can’t be even.”

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Kentucky being the top three-point shooting team in the country, shooting better than 41 percent on the season, they should have a significant advantage in that area for most games. With a little more discipline on defense, they can.

Another focus of Calipari’s will be winning the 50/50 balls. “If you’re not diving on that floor, I’m taking you out,” he said to his team before the Vanderbilt game. Of their six losses, the Wildcats have led or were within one score at the end of the game. While it’s easy to blame poor late-game execution, you could also point to lost possessions. Extra possessions can certainly win or lose close games, and as good as Kentucky is on offense, they can capitalize on extra possessions as well as anyone in the country.

Given Kentucky’s defensive struggles, Calipari’s acknowledgment and comments are promising to hear. With an elite offense, ranked 5th in KenPom efficiency, the defense doesn’t have to be at that level, but it has to be much better than 104th. As Calipari said it’s about getting “8-10% better every and going from there.

If Kentucky can figure the defense out, it could even improve their already great offense. A big part of why Rob Dillingham has played really well of late is his defense. “The biggest thing that’s helped him, is he’s defending better. He’s taken on pride of defending,” Calipari said. As much as this team likes to get out in transition, getting stops and rebounding, can create even more of those opportunities.

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Men's Basketball

Star Forward Milan Momcilovic Chooses Kentucky Over Louisville and Arizona

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1 day ago

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June 1, 2026

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Photo via AOL

The wait is over BBN!

Milan Momcilovic has officially announced that he will be playing his senior year of college basketball at Kentucky, suiting up in the blue and white for Mark Pope and the Wildcats!

The 6-foot-8 wing averaged 16.9 points per game in the 2025-26 season, leading the nation in 3-pointers made (136) and percentage from deep (48.7%).

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Momcilovic is mostly ranked as No. 2 in most portal rankings, but ESPN has the former Cyclone as the No. 1 overall player. With that being said, this technically serves as Pope’s first No. 1 transfer during his tenure at Kentucky.

Pulling his name out of the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday, May 27, Kentucky was seemingly the favorite to land the wing during the entire sweepstakes due to positional need, scheme fit and money available to spend. He could even play another year with the Kentucky Wildcats if the “5-in-5” rule is passed and he forgoes the draft again.

Putting Pat Kelsey in a locker and outbidding him on a recruit is always great for morale, but this fills the much-needed star spot for next year’s roster. Pope and his staff have shaped the team with plenty of skilled players, but Momcilovic adds that extra layer of shooting and will serve as the go-to guy when a game may be on the line.

This will be the final player added to the 2026-27 team, with an insert at the starting small forward position in Momcilovic’s future. Pope and the Big Blue Nation have their guy, and soon enough, we’ll see the Pewaukee, Wisconsin native on Rupp Arena’s court.

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Men's Basketball

National Reporter Matt Norlander Chooses Kentucky as Landing Spot for Star Forward Milan Momcilovic

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6 days ago

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May 28, 2026

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Photo via Imagn Images

The Milan Momcilovic sweepstakes is underway, with multiple teams involved in the No. 2 overall transfer player’s recruitment. It is believed that Kentucky and Louisville are the top candidates after his decision to pull out from the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday, May 27.

Along with the in-state rivals, Arizona and St. John’s are both very well still in the mix, but the Red Storm are slowly falling out of contention after landing Baylor’s Tounde Yessoufou.

On May 28, national reporter Matt Norlander cleared the air on CBS Sports’ Eye On College Basketball podcast, stating that he believes Kentucky will land Momcilovic by the end of the weekend or Monday.

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“My prediction right now is that Milan Momcilovic will go to Kentucky,” Norlander said. “My understanding is that decision is going to come in the next one, two, three days, four days max.”

He would go on to talk about the other top programs involved, stating why he thinks they will be working in an uphill battle in this bidding war.

“My forecast is that it’s Kentucky, but you know, we’ll see if Louisville can get in there,” he continued. “Arizona I don’t think has the money to contend, like I think Kentucky and Louisville just have more money to play with.”

For the worried members of the Big Blue Nation, this is certainly good news to be put out by one of the most trusted college basketball reporters at the national level.

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Going by this report and Adam Zagoria’s from NYT Sports, it shouldn’t be long until a commitment decision for Momcilovic is announced publicly.

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Men's Basketball

BREAKING: No. 2 Ranked Transfer Milan Momcilovic Removes Name From 2026 NBA Draft

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6 days ago

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May 27, 2026

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Kamil Krzaczynski | Imagn Images

Milan Momcilovic has officially removed his named from the 2026 NBA Draft and will return to college for his senior season.

Kentucky leads in his recruitment, followed closely by St. John’s, Louisville and Arizona. A backdoor to Iowa State is also still open.

The No. 2 ranked transfer would be a huge addition to Kentucky’s 2026-27 roster if he committed, averaging 16.9 points per game on 50.6/48.7/87.8 shooting splits last year. Funny enough, in the current world of college athletics that we live in, Momcilovic was responsible for eliminating the Wildcats from the NCAA Tournament, dropping 20 points in the Round of 32.

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He would go on to lose to Tennessee in the Sweet 16 with Iowa State, so at least we know that there’s some inner-hatred for a long-standing rival if he ends up a Wildcat.

He made the most three-point shots in Division I basketball and is a versatile 6-foot-8 wing, which would fit perfectly into Mark Pope’s offensive system. He completed workouts with the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves during the draft process.

Now, the bidding war for the top dog begins, with some of the most prestigious programs in the sport placing their bets on the star forward.

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