Big Blue Madness gave Kentucky fans their first real look at the 2026-27 team Friday night, and while the event was light on actual basketball, it still delivered a few clear takeaways.
The loudest reaction of the night belonged to Karl-Anthony Towns.
After every player had been introduced, Mark Pope stepped to the microphone and seemed ready to deliver a familiar program address. Instead, he stopped short and brought out one more Wildcat: 2026 NBA champion Karl-Anthony Towns.
Towns got the biggest ovation in Rupp Arena after a highlight reel rolled featuring his Kentucky and New York Knicks moments from last season. Once he was on the court, he greeted each current player as the team gathered around him.
Former players showing up at Big Blue Madness is nothing new, but this one carried extra weight. The night served as another reminder that some of John Calipari’s former stars still seem to align more closely with Calipari than with Kentucky. Several have shown that by backing Arkansas in last year’s NCAA Tournament.
John Wall has been the most outspoken of those players when it comes to his Kentucky loyalty, and he appeared at Big Blue Madness last year. Towns sent the same message Friday.
There was also a surprise in the 3-point contest.
On paper, Iowa State transfer Milan Momcilovic looked like the clear favorite. He became the first player in NCAA history to lead the country in both made 3s, with 136, and 3-point percentage, at 48.7, last season. Kentucky is expecting him to be its top scorer this season, and he has a shot at the program record for made 3-pointers.
But Friday’s contest did not go his way. Momcilovic finished fifth among six participants with 22 points.
Furman transfer Alex Wilkins took the title, scoring 31 points in the first round and 21 in the second. Senegalese 7-footer Ousmane N’Diaye finished second.
Momcilovic’s showing is not a reason for alarm, though. He has been dealing with a finger injury on his shooting hand this summer, and he is expected to be cleared to practice without a splint next week.
Another notable moment came during the player introductions, where junior forward Trent Noah found a way to put his hometown back in the spotlight.
Two years after being introduced while Kentucky native and former “The Voice” winner Jordan Smith sang “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive,” Noah brought the song back Friday. This time, the AcoUstiKats performed it while the UK Symphony Orchestra played along on the Rupp Arena court.
An orchestra on the floor was not exactly the standard Big Blue Madness formula, but Noah at least made the night feel a little different.
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