Iowa State Cyclones forward Milan Momcilovic (22) takes a three-point shot against Kansas City during the first half of the NCAA men’s basketball game at Hilton Coliseum on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. © Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
AMES — Less than 30 seconds after recording his first steal, Iowa State’s Milan Momcilovic nearly scraped off his second.
10:25 remained in the No. 7 Cyclones’ 82-56 win Monday over Summit League favorite Kansas City, and the sophomore forward poked a pass away, hoping he could chase it down for a fastbreak basket, but instead, it bounded off the court.
“Could have broke it for a dunk there,” the 6-7 sharpshooter said, smiling. “But it went out of bounds.”
That play exemplified how Momcilovic has worked to diversify his game. He’s hunting the 3-point shot more. He’s looking for opportunities off the dribble. He’s committed to playing better defense, and soar for more rebounds in an effort to become a complete player.
“He’s improved immensely,” ISU head coach T. J. Otzelberger said of Momcilovic, who scored 16 points and drilled his first four 3-point attempts. “His activity level’s great. Anticipation is better. He’s ‘jump walling’ at the rim. He has more of a commitment on the glass. Finishing possessions — it’s so important for us, so proud to see him make those plays.”
Curtis Jones led the Cyclones (2-0) with 20 points off the bench. He scored 16 of those points in the second half and went 7-for-11 from the field. Transfer forward Dishon Jackson added 13 points and six rebounds, and Keshon Gilbert dished out a game-high 10 assists while turning the ball over just once.
“I love how he played for his teammates and the shots that he got guys,” Otzelberger said of Gilbert, his leading scorer from last season. “He really got us some great looks out there.”
The visiting Roos (2-1) started fast, hitting their first three shots while taking an 11-9 lead. The Cyclones eventually responded with a 14-3 run fueled by two of Momcilovic’s 3-pointers to move in front, 29-16, with 2:52 remaining in the first half. ISU — which led by as many as 31 points — would maintain a double-digit edge the rest of the game as Kansas City shot 33.3 percent from the field and committed 16 turnovers to the Cyclones’ seven. Jackson scored eight of his team’s first 13 points to establish his presence early.
“I’m just trying to do whatever for the team to have success,” the 6-11 senior said. “I just want to win, so whatever I’ve got to do, I’m gonna do it.”
Momcilovic — who also grabbed five rebounds — started on Monday after coming off the bench in ISU’s season-opening rout of Mississippi Valley State. Otzelberger also tightened his rotation to eight players because of the problems the Roos could present. He said the Cyclones’ starting lineup — and how deep they delve into their bench — will hinge on matchups moving forward, but he remains comfortable with playing up to 10 guys on a given night.
“We’re just trying to get everybody to play to their strengths and the best of their abilities,” Otzelberger said. “I think at times with that first lineup with Curt (starting), we like him playing more like a facilitator (and) playmaker; a guy with the ball, keeping it on the move. You see (Monday), he had five assists and no turnovers. I think when he comes right in, that mindset is natural for him and then we need Milan outing right away. So it worked well for us.”
As for Momcilovic’s missed opportunity for a dunk? More will arise as the season shifts into high gear. But what type of dunk would he have delivered if that second near-steal had turned out as planned?
“Just a rim grazer,” he joked.
