Mark Pope has most of Kentucky’s 2026-27 starting five penciled in already, but one spot is shaping up to be the real puzzle.
Zoom Diallo, Alex Wilkins, Milan Momcilovic and Malachi Moreno are viewed as locked-in starters. That leaves the final opening, and the path Pope takes there could change the look of the lineup in a few different ways.
One possibility is sliding Momcilovic to the three and pairing him with either Ousmane N’Diaye or Justin McBride at the four. If Kentucky goes that direction, N’Diaye looks like the better fit to start.
McBride’s defense is a concern, and at 6’8, it would be hard for him to be elite in that role from the jump. N’Diaye brings more upside, and if he wins the job, that should be a pretty exciting sign for Big Blue Nation.
There’s also the option of putting Kam Williams at the three once he’s healthy and moving Momcilovic to the four. The issue there is that Momcilovic seems better suited on the wing.
He’s not an elite defender, and Kentucky fans probably don’t want to see him spending too much time down low. He can work in the post with his fadeaway, but his three-point shooting is what really stands out in college basketball.
The N’Diaye-McBride battle is the one to watch. Both players have a case, but the best outcome for Kentucky would be N’Diaye earning the starting nod, because that would suggest he’s reached the level of a real difference-maker. If McBride starts instead, that doesn’t mean N’Diaye has fallen flat; it may just mean he’s a little behind.
For Pope, the encouraging part is that there aren’t many major lineup decisions left. The core of the group appears settled, and the biggest question is how he wants to sort out the three and the four. That fifth starter may become easier to identify once summer practice gives everyone a clearer picture.
Either way, Pope has choices, and they’re good ones. For Kentucky, that’s a pretty solid place to be.
In Other News...
Kentuckys Final Roster Spot Just Became A Real Calipari Debate
A federal ruling out of Colorado has added a fresh wrinkle to Kentuckys offseason roster planning, and it comes with a familiar name attached. Judge Charlotte Sweeney granted a class-wide preliminary injunction for players who graduated high school in 2022 and used all four years of college eligibility, opening the door for an extra season that had been in question as the calendar turned toward summer. Former Wildcat Denzel Aberdeen is taking advantage of it and heading back to Florida for his final year, a move that underscores just how much this decision is already rippling through the sport.
For Kentucky, the timing matters because John Calipari had already left one roster spot open while waiting for exactly this kind of clarity. Now the staff can keep weighing whether to fill it based on team needs and player health, which makes the last scholarship less of a formality than it once seemed. What happens next will depend on how Calipari balances depth, flexibility and the realities of the roster he has in front of him, with one more decision still hanging over the summer. [Read more 🡒]
Bombshell NCAA Ruling Could Reopen A Door Kentucky Thought Closed
A fresh NCAA court ruling has created an unexpected wrinkle for college basketball rosters across the country, and Kentucky is among the programs now watching closely. Judge Charlotte Sweeney of the U.S. District Court of Colorado granted a class-wide preliminary injunction that requires the NCAA to declare eligible all high school class of 2022 athletes who exhausted four seasons of eligibility this spring, opening the door for another year of college play if they want it.
For Kentucky, the practical impact could go beyond simple eligibility. Those players are also allowed to enter the transfer portal, which gives them another layer of flexibility as rosters and lineups continue to shift. The ruling may also touch some athletes who already signed professional contracts, though how it applies in those cases is still unclear, leaving plenty of room for programs to sort through the fallout. [Read more 🡒]
Jerone Morton Gives Kentucky A Backcourt Presence Fans Will Appreciate
Jerone Morton arrives at Kentucky with the kind of background that tends to resonate in Lexington. A senior guard from Winchester, he is expected to provide depth behind the Wildcats starting backcourt of Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins, and he brings plenty of experience with him after appearing in 92 career games and making 51 starts. For a team that always values backcourt steadiness, Morton looks like a useful piece who already understands what it means to wear the jersey.
Morton has also made it clear he is comfortable embracing whatever role Kentucky needs from him, whether that comes on defense or offense. There is a natural appeal in the fact that he grew up supporting the program, because the opportunity is not just another stop for him, it is a chance to contribute to the team he followed as a kid. That combination of local roots, experience and willingness to help could make him one of the more appreciated additions to the rotation. [Read more 🡒]