On Monday, Milan Momcliovic spoke out at Kentucky’s media day about how he, the staff and his teammates have helped work towards improving defensively before the start of the season.

He began with focus, which was shaped by the feedback he received after the NBA Draft process this past summer.

“A lot of it was defense-focused,” said Momcilovic. “I think they kind of know what I am gonna get from offensive perspective. I’m a shooter.”

The six-foot-nine forward wants to prove he offers more than just shooting – that he can build confidence and prioritize defense this season. His goals extend beyond Kentucky however, as he later emphasized the need for consistency against elite players at this level.

“Whoever the superstar is, that is the next step,” he continued. “I have to guard the superstars, and I am gonna do it.”

Criticism during the draft process has pushed Momcliovic to have a greater defensive intensity when he’s not able to impact the game offensively, with these preseason reps allowing him to do the necessary preparation and be ready once conference season hits.

With Momcliovic and Kentucky’s other powerhouse shooters, the question remains whether Mark Pope will risk his offense outweighing his defense.

“I think something about this team is: can we defend?,” asked the star transfer. “Obviously, we got a lot of really good shooters and scorers, but we need to play defense, so I think I take a lot of pride in that side of the court too.”

Pope’s team has worked behind the scenes, preparing for a well- rounded upcoming season that can show they won’t be one-sided yet again.

Momcliovic’s rotation connections on both sides of the game can give Kentucky an edge that Lexington missed in previous seasons. Although his past demonstrates experience in high-pressure shooting, there is more in his bag of tricks to be unlocked.

“I am hoping this year I can get some easy twos at the rim, I think thats gonna open my game up a lot more,” he added. “I can make it easier for myself…make it so I average a couple more points and just open up a little bit of everything.”

The small plays at the rim could build momentum during offensive possessions, especially when a defense is instantly look to guard the three. Seeking for new scoring opportunities in his senior year will open a gateway to new strategies for the entire team, increasing versatility.

A player of this caliber, known for his shooting, will look to focus on defense and doing the little things that lead to more wins for UK. Sounds like a plan!

During Kentucky’s media day, KY Insider asked Malachi Moreno and Franck Kepnang what makes this year’s team so special and how well they have bonded this summer. In response, they both exclaimed how fun and connected this year’s team feels.

“I haven’t been a part of a team this connected in a long time,” said Moreno. “We have fun every single day. I think that’s quite a difference-maker from a lot of the teams I’ve been on.”

“On the court, that helps us a lot,” he continued. “You gotta trust each other, trust your teammate and trust that he has your back. I think all of us know in the back of our minds that we have each other’s back,”

Kepnang had some insight to share as well, defending Moreno’s case.

“I believe the connectivity that we have as a team at this stage is very high-level’” he said. “That’s the type of connectivity and chemistry that’s going to help us during the toughest time during the toughest game.”

“Especially defensively, being able to play in a style that each of us have each other’s six so nobody is ever alone on an island,” Kepnang continued. “Defense wins games and defense wins championships, so that’s something definitely going to help us to go as far as we can.”

With a new season approaching, the connection Moreno and Kepnang described could become one of the defining qualities of this Kentucky team, with fans desperate to see a chemistry-abundant product on the floor.

Kentucky’s Franck Kepnang took part in his first media day as Wildcat on Monday, where KY Insider was able to ask the transfer big what his “why” behind basketball is and why he brings the kind of effort he does.

“I really started playing when I was 14. From there on, I started loving the game…I love the grind,” said Kepnang. “[It’s] not just the accolades, not just what comes with the game, but just coming here, getting better, grinding, spending hours in this building just trying to get better and win. I’m a competitor.”

He continued on, showing us an early look at that fire for winning at Kentucky.

“You start to become addicted to winning…I want to do everything I possibly can to always be on that winning side.”

His personal side unlocked, revealing his purpose in the grand scheme of his basketball life.

“My why is my mother. Seeing everything she’s been through, and I’m seeing that she’s the hardest worker out of anybody else I know,” said Kepnang. “Seeing what she has done for me to be able to create a future for us both…that’s better than what she has experienced or what was even in the book for me is my why.”

“It’s not only because I love the game, but also because I know there’s just so much opportunity,” he continued. “I have really a chance to create that life-changing trajectory for my family and my legacy.”

As Kepnang starts his journey at Kentucky, his “why” will remain at the center of the effort and energy he brings each and every time he steps on the court. From humble beginnings to getting another shot to play basketball, this is a proving-ground season for our new big man.