BIRMINGHAM, AL — Mark Pope claims the 2026-27 version of Kentucky basketball is "probably the best shooting team I've ever had."
Ears should perk up at that assertion.
If there's one thing Pope knows, it's offense. Specifically, sweet-shooting squads. His first UK team, in 2024-25, led the SEC in 3-point percentage. During the coronavirus-shortened 2019-20 campaign, Pope's BYU bunch ranked first in Division I in 3-point accuracy. The Cougars connected on 42.2% of their 3-point attempts; they were the only Division I team even above 40% that season.
So, Pope saying theseWildcats are a better all-around unit than those two teams? That's saying a lot.
It should surprise no one Pope's opinion on the matter coincides with Kentucky adding the undisputed best shooter in college basketball in 2025-26. Sniper Milan Momcilovic led Division I not only in 3-point makes (136) but also in 3-point percentage (48.7%) last season at Iowa State.
"Clearly he had one of the most prolific shooting seasons in the history of college basketball last year," Pope said Oct. 14 at the conference's annual media day event. "So his gravity is immense. He's actually very, very skilled and capable in the post. I think we'll be able to buy space for him to work in the post."
The jury's still out on how well the rest of the team will shoot when the stakes are the highest.
But having Momcilovic as the fulcrum?
That's a stout place to start.
Here are other takeaways from Day 2 of SEC basketball media days:
Is 'lambatarian' a word? You be the judge
During the UK men's team's turn on the set of SEC Now, guard Zoom Diallo caused a stir when he declared himself "a lambatarian."
What is it? Let him explain.
"I only cook lamb. Lamb chops," Diallo said. "When I go home, I be eating lamb."
And how did he discover his favorite food?
"When you get into college, and you're living by yourself and you're on your own, you want to experiment with new things," he said. "So I decided to cook lamb chops, which was pretty quick for me. Lamb chops and some mashed potatoes and some French fries. And call it a night."
Zoom Diallo: "I'm a lambatarian right now ... I only eat lamb."
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 14, 2026
Mark Pope: "That is not a real word." 😂 pic.twitter.com/CljUc6TDX1
When Pope expressed his disbelief that "lambatarian" is a word, Diallo told his coach to "look it up." Then Diallo went a step further: He guaranteed it's a word. For what it's worth, "lambatarian" is not listed on Merriam-Webster's online dictionary. It does, however, show up on Urban Dictionary.
The first definition provided on Urban Dictionary states that it is "a person who only and solemnly eats lamb not any other meat based or meat products." Whether it's a word or not, Pope is sure of one thing.
"If it's not a word, it is now," he said. "This will forever be in the Kentucky lexicon. It's in there for sure now. 'Lambatarian.' Every person walking around Rupp will be like, 'You know Zoom’s a Lambatarian.'"
Milan Momcilovic pokes fun at Mark Pope's 3-point prowess (or lack thereof
As previously noted, the player with the top 3-point percentage and the most 3-point makes in Division I last season is the same person: Momcilovic. Asked for a breakdown of Pope's game, Momcilovic joked if the coach suited up for this season's team, the Wildcats' rebounding numbers would rise. Considerably.
"We've all gotta go crash the glass when (Pope shoots 3s)," Momcilovic said with a smile.
Pope had a zinger of his own.
"Milan doesn't pass," Pope said, "so he doesn't actually know about that part of it."
That Momcilovic is so at ease (playfully) jabbing Pope — publicly, no less — shows the coach and one of his best players already have formed a tight bond just months after the ex-Iowa State star stepped foot in Lexington.
Wait for the back and forth between Milan Momcilovic and Mark Pope 😂 @KentuckyMBBpic.twitter.com/mzDEq1ORjO
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 14, 2026
John Calipari likes Arkansas his team. But ...
In typical John Calipari fashion, he noted numerous areas of his Arkansas team during his opening statement Oct. 14. Entering his third year with the Razorbacks, Calipari said he likes what he's seen from his team during summer workouts and preseason practice.
He just has no clue what that actually means.
"For anybody to predict this team? You're crazy," Calipari said. "I don't have an idea. Will we be good? Will we be real good? Will we be bad? I don't know yet.
"When you're talking 17-, 18-, some 19-year-olds, how are they going to react when they get punched in the mouth? Don't know yet. How do they react if they're not playing the minutes they want to play? I don't know yet."
For what it's worth, media members have high expectations for Calipari's club. Arkansas is picked to finish fourth in the conference in 2026-27.
Kentucky women's hoops 'equipped' to keep rising; coach Kenny Brooks says roster as talented as any he's ever had
Kenny Brooks has led Kentucky women's basketball to the NCAA Tournament each of his two seasons at the helm. The Wildcats reached the Sweet 16; it marked the first time they advanced out of the first weekend of March Madness in a decade.
The challenge, of course, is to continue elevating. In arguably the fiercest league in the land.
But Brooks is confident.
"I think you have to continue to go out and great players," he said. "You have to get great players that fit what you want to do. This league is tough. Every night, regardless of what the standings say where the teams are, it's going to be a fight. We understand that."
UK has no Final Four appearances. It has advanced to the Elite Eight four times. The last trip: 2013.
Brooks sees no reason it can't happen this season.
"We've got a great group. They work extremely hard," he said. "We have a lot of talent — probably as much talent as I've had on my teams in my 24 years. We're looking forward to what we can do."
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: What we learned from Kentucky's Mark Pope, Kenny Brooks at SEC media days