Trent Noah hit a 3 against South Carolina but also had five rebounds. (Vicky Graff Photo)
He took a step back in Kentucky’s loss at Ole Miss — but just about every player on the team did.
However, freshman Trent Noah bounced back in an impressive way on Saturday in UK’s 80-57 win over South Carolina — the team the Harlan County star originally signed with before Mark Pope arrived at UK and he had a change of heart.
Noah scored on a follow-up shot and also hit a 3-pointer late in the game to account for his five points in 13 minutes, 21 seconds of action. However, he also pulled off five defensive rebounds — the same number center Amari Williams did — and also had an assist. He also had the courage to take five shots and did not hesitate on any of them.
It was a big change from the Ole Miss game when he played 13 points in the one-sided loss and his stat line has nothing but zeroes in his 13 minutes of play.
While Carr scored his points late, he had four rebounds and his one assist in the first half when he gave the Cats a jolt of needed energy again.
“I thought Trent was really solid tonight,” Pope said after the game. “I thought he was really, really solid. His energy never wavers. And that’s a real gift as a coach trying to piece together a game, to know that you know exactly what you’re going to get when you put Trent on the floor, and that includes some young mistakes, and includes some places where he’s uncomfortable.
“His first possession against the 1-3-1 (zone), he kind of froze up a little bit. That’s what young guys do, right? But his energy is always the same, and it’s always the same every day in practice, and his focus is always the same, and he’s been a real gift.”
That energy level Noah has made many wonder why Pope did not play him in UK’s disappointing loss to Arkansas when the Cats desperately needed something. Noah didn’t put when that happened and he didn’t pout when he did not play well at Ole Miss. Instead, he was ready for his chance.
Noah had an amazing high school career but didn’t get all the notoriety he should have because of bad timing. Noah’s junior year was Reed Sheppard’s senior season at North Laurel, another 13th Region school. Sheppard was a McDonald’s All-American, was named Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball and signed with UK.
Noah’s senior season current UK teammate Travis Lyon became the state’s all-time leading scorer, led his team to the state championship and was named Mr. Basketball.
Noah finished his prep career as the state’s fifth all-time leading scorer with 3,707 points. Two of the five ahead of him were Perry and Sheppard, who had 3,727 points. Noah also lost to Perry in the 2024 state championship game even though he averaged 32.3 points per game in state play and set the state tourney record by making 19 3-pointers.
Former Kentucky coach John Calipari did not offer Noah a scholarship. When Pope did, many still wondered why. The more Noah gets to play, the more he shows he’s a physical player who can shoot and plays with intensity that leads to hustle plays.
“He’s going to be a terrific player. He adds so much to our team. I’m really proud of him. He’s a big difference maker for us and his contribution tonight was really important,” Pope said on his postgame radio show Saturday.
South Carolina coach Lamont Paris was asked if he had any “hard feelings” over Noah switching from South Carolina to Kentucky. He seemed insulted that he was even asked.
“Hard feelings? Would someone actually do that? You think someone would have hard feelings? This is 2025. I’ve done this a long time. There are no hard feelings. It’s life. Certainly, no hard feelings,” the South Carolina coach said.
He really made that clear when discussing South Carolina going to a zone defense in the second half.
“Late in the game, we threw a zone out there, which can be a good tool for us and we’re coaching,” Paris said. “Guys have got to get better. We’ve gotta play more games. I really was focused on what we were doing. Sorry to disappoint you in my answer but I really wasn’t focused centrally on Trent Noah.”
7 Responses
No games are exciting as they are all pros the games were much more enjoyable when they were college games and not pros.
Noah’s effort when he goes against bigger players reminds me of Chuck Hayes. Hayes never quit and you can see that desire in Noah. He is not as athletic as Hayes, but effort makes up for a lot, just ask Larry Bird.
Excellent point & comparison, OldFan!
I personally think that if Noah & Perry had been getting 15 (or more) minutes per game since game, they would both be 2 of the 3 beleaguered hitting 3’s and elevated UK above the lethargic play by SOME players resulting in unnecessary losses.
Nothing like a Kentcky born player who is exceptional and can shoot a high % from 3.
If I had a chance to speak with Pope, it’s the only thing I see that I have it agreed with at nearly 100%. Pope & his staff have done a marvelous job coaching and the TEAM 1st play to start the season is proof. Unfortunately, SOME players are not 100% sold on Coach Pope’s TEAM 1st play to all & do just enough to mostly disguise their selfishness – those who disagree should check the assists game by game.
Perry won the state championship, but Noah has a brighter future as a Wildcat. Perry needs to get in better shape, spend time in the weight room, and toughen up some. Noah just needs more PT. I am hoping that next year will be a breakout year for both. I hope Chandler stays for next year and finds his game by then. The 3 freshmen may be the only returnees for next season if they don’t give up on playing here.
If those 3 had played at least 15 minutes per gwme since the beginning of the season, they would all be key contributors and filling the stat sheet with better than 45% from 3. If given as many mulligans as some other players, they would have spared UK some unnecessary losses.
No one adjust to the college game – especially thug fest SEC BALL – without a LOT of minutes on the court.
Travis Ford always had a BIG screen (Rodney Dent a lot of times) giving him just enough daylight and time to hit 50.% from 3. SOME UK players quit passing the ball, moving without the ball and choosing to shoot a bad shot instead of passing or setting screens. Williams shows how team ball is played – those 10 assists recently should have woken up some players to pass the ball the ball.
UK has NEVER won a National Title unless at least on Kentucky born player played major minutes & co tributes to the team success. The absence of enough minutes for KY natives is a heavy price today.
Noah and Perry are getting better every game. I’m proud of them. They will be in the rotation more next year. I don’t see them starting with who we have coming in but they will play a ton next year. As juniors and seniors they will lead this team and we will be very good. I think we will be better next year. We will have better athletes and shooters on the team. Whatever happens this year happens I just enjoy watching them play. If they win 25 games ill be happy. I predicted 25 wins to start the season and they are on track to get about that many. I think by the fans booing Arkansas and the former players elevated there play. Its the best game they played all year. Plus we were without Butler. With Butler we would habe won because they wouldn’t have gotten all them open 3 pointers. But it is what it is. I thought Noah would play before Perry because he has the body to bang more. The sec is physical.
With Robinson out, he should get more PT tonight.