Mark Pope’s success in recruiting Milan Momcilovic to the Kentucky Wildcats cannot be overstated, but the buck doesn’t stop there. With Momcilovic now adding strength, size and scoring to the Kentucky ranks, they will be expected to push on and fight for the SEC title in the upcoming season.
While Momcilovic’s addition and Malachi Moreno’s return will add some much-needed impetus to scoring, an expert highlighted an area that still needs to be addressed if Mark Pope and co are serious about their title ambitions.
Rob Dauster of the Field of 68 suggested that the Kentucky coaching staff needs to figure out how to strengthen its defense, or it might end up struggling despite its success in the transfer portal.
“The single biggest concern is that when you look at what teams are trying to be in college basketball right now, it’s big and it’s physical and it’s winning the battle of the paint and the glass and while I think Malachi Moreno has the size to be able to do that if you look at what Kentucky has at the three and four right now, it’s very much we have a bunch of guys that can shoot and are tall and it’s not like you have big, physical, burly defenders that are going to be able to deal with it.
“If they can guard well enough, they can win 25-26 games and finish at the top of the SEC.”
Sky is the Limit if Mark Pope Gets it Right
Recent reports have also suggested that Jamal Crawford could be interested in joining the Kentucky coaching staff, and if he does, defense is what he needs to get right.
Either way, Mark Pope would be smart to address this issue before they begin their new NCAA campaign and push for a major title.
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