Noah, Perry Ready if Needed Again Against Tennessee

Travis Perry, left, and Trent Noah, right, had to grow up on the court due to injuries the team suffered. (Vicky Graff Photo)

Kentucky freshmen Trent Noah and Travis Perry both grew up dreaming of playing for Kentucky and got a taste of what they could be like when Lyon County and Perry beat Harlan County and Noah in the 2024 state title game at Rupp Arena.

Now they both will be ready if needed Friday night in Indianapolis when Kentucky tries to beat Tennessee for a third straight time this season.

In a 78-73 win at Knoxville, Noah went 2-for-2 from the field and had five points and one rebound in nine minutes. Perry played five minutes and did not score.

Two weeks later, in Rupp Arena when the Cats won 75-64, Noah played 19 minutes and was 3-for-4 from 3-point range and had 11 points, two rebounds and one assist. Perry played 12 minutes and went 3-for-4 from the field, including 2-for-3 from 3, and finished with eight points and one turnover.

Because of injuries to guards Jaxson Robinson, Kerr Kriisa, and Lamont Butler, all have played bigger roles than anticipated when the season started, and could again Friday night.

“It’s definitely been a growing-up experience for sure, but I think coach (Mark) Pope has made it really easy for us,” Noah said. “He’s always instilled us with confidence, even when things weren’t going well.

“Jaxson would die to be out there playing with us, but he was super encouraging. And that’s what makes this really special. I feel like we’re such a close family, and whenever you go out there, you can trust the brother beside you, and it makes it easy for young guys like me, TP, and Collin (Chandler).”

Perry had the more difficult role of running the team at point guard and had some issues, especially on defense. However, he grew more and more into his role.

“I think our team and coaching staff have done a great job all throughout the season in the moments where we needed us to kind of step or they’ve said a lot that we’re just kind of being thrown into the fire,” Perry said.

“We know we’ve got 15 guys there to back us up, 15 guys that believe in us, and that makes it really easy to go out there and play free and play for each other really in that moment.”

Perry had a bandage on his right wrist during UK’s open practice in Milwaukee, but did play briefly against Troy in the first-round win. He did not play against Illinois Sunday, but Pope did not seem overly worried.

“Travis Perry is still nursing this wrist,” Pope told Tom Leach on his postgame radio show. “But he’s gonna be huge for us next weekend.”