<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0kafh7_1GirH3J200" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0kafh7_1GirH3J200" width="1000" height="563" ></figure>Malachi Moreno and Milan Momcilovic developed a bond almost immediately over the summer and it showed during Kentucky’s three exhibition games.Once he arrived on campus, Momcilovic quickly bonded with Moreno. In wins over Arkansas Little Rock, Texas Tech and Central Florida during the preseason, the “M&amp;M Boys” carried most of the load for the No. 23 Wildcats who open the season against Manhattan tonight.“We have really good chemistry,” Momcilovic said. “I think it started when he was recruiting me here. I think that’s when it really started. When I got here, summer and fall, we put a lot of reps into this. Having a five-man who can pass and kind of do it all is really key.”Moreno, who just missed a triple-double with 16 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists in a 90-76 win over Central Florida last week, has enjoyed playing alongside Momcilovic and said the team’s offense is “a lot of fun.”“This is the type of offense a big would want to play in,” Moreno said. “You want to play for a guy like coach (Mark) Pope who puts a lot of trust in his vibes and it’s a lot of fun. Being able to throw that backdoor pass, get a bucket, get the crowd going — we have fun with it.”During the three preseason contests, Momcilovic led the team in scoring with 16.7 points per game, followed by freshman guard Mason Williams at 14 ppg. Moreno scored 12.3 points per game and Alex Wilkins poured in 12 ppg.Pope said the “upside for those two working together is really good,” given the chemistry the pair have developed so far this season.“Anytime you have an elite-level shooter, you think about using him as a space guy, as a downhill guy, as a screener, and him and Malachi will continue to grow as a terrific tandem.“Malachi on the offensive end, our team being able to manufacture and him being able to finish baskets around the rim is really important to the make of this team and he’s going to do it. Milan’s shown great acumen for us early in the season, about being able to go to work in the post, which is a nice little riff for us.”As Kentucky dives into the regular season this week, Momcilovic knows the Wildcats have room to grow, especially when it comes to taking care of the basketball.“Obviously in the first game, I think we had 19 turnovers,” he said. “We’ve cut it down a pretty good amount, but we still have more room to grow. … we would like to keep it in the single digits for turnovers.”Moreno and Momcilovic averaged more than 30 minutes per game in three preseason games, with Momcilovic at 34.5 minutes and Moreno logged 32.5 per game. Pope said Moreno has “the capacity to do that in a game.”“That’s probably the most impressive area of growth that he’s shown among all the other numbers that were so impressive,” Pope said. “We won’t keep him there consistently, but just to see that he’s put himself in a position where he can go compete for that long is a great sign for us, and it’s a tribute to him and his discipline.”As for Momcilovic, Pope said he’s pretty self-sustaining.”“It’s fun to have a guy that you kind of just stay out of his way more than anything else,” Pope said. “We’re continuing to try and I’d love to get him more shots. That’s where we’re living. … he’s shown great signs on the defensive side. I’ve been really proud of him there, and we’re going to continue to incorporate him more and more in different ways into what we do in terms of play calling.”Moreno wants the Wildcats to continue to follow the same trend when the season officially begins tonight.“I just had to set the standard from day one, and now that we’re in the season, just keep reiterating that same standard,” he said. “We do this every single day. This is nothing new to us and it’s time to go.”* * *NEXT GAME: Manhattan at Kentucky, 7 p.m., Tuesday. TV/Radio: SECN+ and UK Radio Network.</div></body>

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Malachi Moreno and Milan Momcilovic developed a bond almost immediately over the summer and it showed during Kentucky’s three exhibition games. Once he arrived on campus, Momcilovic quickly bonded with Moreno. In wins over Arkansas Little Rock, Texas Tech and Central Florida during the preseason, the “M&M Boys” carried most of the load for the No. 23 Wildcats who open the season against Manhattan tonight.

Moreno, Momcilovic Give Kentucky Two Elite Weapons

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Malachi Moreno and Milan Momcilovic developed a bond almost immediately over the summer and it showed during Kentucky’s three exhibition games. Once he arr

Moreno, Momcilovic Give Kentucky Two Elite Weapons

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