With the 2026-27 college basketball season now just days away, preseason lists are starting to stack up, and CBS Sports has added its own to the pile. This time, the network’s analysts put together a top 101 player ranking, and Kentucky landed two names inside it.
For Mark Pope’s third year in Lexington, the Wildcats’ representation comes from two players carrying plenty of the load: Milan Momcilovic and Malachi Moreno. Kentucky is one of 30 teams with at least two players on the list, though 14 programs placed more players than the Wildcats.
Momcilovic checks in at No. 17 overall, making him one of 38 seniors included in the rankings. The Iowa State transfer arrived after being one of the most sought-after names in the portal, and CBS pointed to both his offensive fit and his impact potential in Kentucky’s system.
“The 6-9 stretch forward made 48.6% of his 280 3-point attempts last season with the Cyclones. He’ll step into Rupp Arena with a green light and the potential to be among the biggest shot-takers in college hoops.
The lack of defensive prowess is what kept Momcilovic outside of our top 15. If he’s in the range of 17 points per game again, like last season, he’ll probably be Kentucky’s best player in a crucial third season for Mark Pope,” Matt Norlander said.
Moreno lands at No. 49, just inside the top 50, and enters the season with real momentum after what could become a major sophomore jump. His freshman year turned out differently than expected.
He came in prepared for a smaller role behind Brandon Garrison and Jayden Quaintance, but the rotation shifted. Quaintance appeared in only four games, and Garrison didn’t make the expected leap, opening the door for Moreno to step into a much bigger job.
Now he’s back for year two after pulling his name out of the 2026 NBA Draft, and the offseason progress has already shown up. He looks stronger, healthier and set up for a larger role.
“Moreno has serious breakout potential this season. The Kentucky big man averaged 7.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game while starting 30 of 36 games last season. Getting Moreno back was one of Mark Pope’s top priorities this offseason, as he is Kentucky’s most experienced returning player,” Cameron Salerno shared.
For now, those are the only two Wildcats on CBS Sports’ preseason list. Whether more Kentucky players force their way onto a future version remains to be seen, but heading into the season, the analysts have only Momcilovic and Moreno among the sport’s top 101.
In Other News...
Kentucky's Latest Win Delivered A Reward Few Wildcats Ever Get
Brennan Ward got a rare moment in the spotlight against Vanderbilt, going from fourth-string quarterback to live game action and into the end zone for a touchdown. For a program that lives on competition at every level, it was the kind of reward that can only come after weeks of work away from the cameras, and head coach Will Stein made it clear the opportunity was earned long before the snap.
Kentuckys staff has built a practice environment where scout team players are not just filling space, but pushing for real chances when they prove they belong. Wards appearance served as a reminder that the Wildcats will keep evaluating everyone in the building, and that even deep down the depth chart, there is still a path to playing time for players who keep showing up and doing the work. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Fans Just Got A Tough Otega Oweh Reality Check
Otega Owehs NBA path hit a jolt before it could really begin. The former Kentucky standout was taken by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 41st overall pick in the draft, and after flashing some promise in preseason, he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon before the regular season began.
The injury alone would have been a tough break, but the bigger concern for Kentucky fans is how quickly the situation changed after that. Oklahoma City moved on by waiving him, leaving Oweh facing a major recovery and an uncertain next step just as he was trying to turn his draft-night opportunity into a foothold at the pro level. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Made A Real Impression On A Top DL Target
Jahyden Whites visit to Kentucky during a game day made a clear impression on one of the most sought-after defensive linemen in the country. The Florence, Alabama standout already has more than 20 scholarship offers, but he said the Wildcats are among his top choices after spending time on campus and seeing the program up close.
White is still in the middle of his season, so his recruiting process will take a little more time to unfold. He plans to release his top schools once the season ends, with a commitment targeted for April, which means Kentucky will have to keep making its case as the race tightens. [Read more 🡒]