No. 23 Kentucky opened its season Tuesday night with an 85-57 win over Manhattan, and the biggest takeaway was easy to spot: the Wildcats finally found their groove from deep.
After a sluggish start, Kentucky’s offense settled in and started to move the ball with purpose. That was especially encouraging for Mark Pope, who has made it clear he wants this team firing away from 3-point range. His target has been 30 to 35 attempts a night, and the Wildcats hit that mark in the opener.
Kentucky took 31 3-pointers and knocked down 12 of them, a 38.7% clip that gave the offense a much cleaner look than it had early on.
The night belonged to Milan Momcilovic. The 3-point specialist went 6-for-9 from beyond the arc, good for 66.7%, and tied Antonio Reeves for the most 3-pointers made by a Wildcat in his regular-season debut. For a first game in Kentucky blue, that’s a loud introduction.
Alex Wilkins was the only other Kentucky player to hit multiple threes, finishing 3-for-6 from long range. He shot 50% and gave the Wildcats another steady option on the perimeter.
For Kentucky, the next step is obvious: keep this going. A more reliable 3-point attack would be a major change from last season, and the Wildcats will also want more players joining the party instead of leaning so heavily on Momcilovic and Wilkins.
Still, as season openers go, this was a strong one. If the offense keeps humming like it did against Manhattan, Kentucky has a chance to be a real problem from the outside.
In Other News...
Kentucky Heads Into Tennessee With One Big Availability Concern
The SEC Availability Report for Kentuckys trip to Tennessee has been updated, and it gives the Wildcats a clearer picture of who will and wont be available heading into a rivalry game that already carries plenty of weight. Kentucky did get one player moved up to probable, which is at least a small sign of progress as the team continues to work through a list of long-term injuries that have thinned the roster.
Tennessees report brings its own set of concerns, with multiple long-term injuries and several starters already ruled out for the season. For Kentucky, the bigger question is how much the latest availability shift changes the rotation and whether the Wildcats can absorb the absences well enough to stay competitive in a game where depth and health may matter as much as anything else. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Gets One More Clue About Mark Pope Before Bigger Tests
Preston Spradlins return to Lexington adds a little extra texture to a game Kentucky is expected to handle comfortably. The former Wildcats assistant now leads James Madison, a program that has established itself as one of the stronger teams in the Sun Belt, so this is not just a nostalgia visit for an old staff hand. It is also another early look at how Mark Popes group is settling in before the schedule gets tougher.
Pope has already made one notable roster decision by ending recruiting efforts with two five-star prospects after adding a new center, a sign the front office is focused on the pieces already in place. For Kentucky, the bigger picture is less about one December-like matchup and more about how the coach balances evaluation, development and the realities of a roster that may be largely set. Games like this can still offer a useful read, even if the betting line suggests the Wildcats should be in control. [Read more 🡒]
Lance Heard Is Giving Kentucky Fans One More Reason To Watch Tennessee
Lance Heard has given Kentucky fans a fresh reason to keep an eye on Tennessee, even with the rivalry game still ahead. The Wildcats offensive lineman was named one of 12 semifinalists for the 2026 Lombardi Award and is also on the Outland Trophy watch list, recognition that reflects just how steady he has been this season.
Heard has logged 461 snaps and drawn praise for both his performance and the way he has carried himself inside the program. Coach Will Stein has singled out Heards leadership and overall impact heading into Kentuckys matchup with Tennessee, adding another layer to a game that already carries plenty of weight for the Wildcats. [Read more 🡒]