Pitt transfer Jaland Lowe, above, believes Trent Noah is the best shooter he's seen. (Vicky Graff Photo)
New Kentucky point guard Jaland Lowe had his first media opportunity with UK media members Monday and certainly earned an A-plus for his performance.
He has a contagious smile that UK fans will love and not only did he say all the right things, but he sounded genuine whether he was praising a teammate, UK coaches or Kentucky fans. He consistently downplayed his own ability even though many think he could be the biggest key to Kentucky making a serious national championship run in 2026.
However, what will probably endear him the most to Kentucky fans was his praise of sophomore guard Trent Noah, an eastern Kentucky native and UK fan favorite.
Lowe played with Blake Hinson two years ago at Pitt when Hinson shot 42.1 percent from 3-point range. However, Lowe is now driving the Trent Noah bandwagon.
“Trent Noah might be the best shooter I’ve ever seen,” Lowe said when asked if there was a teammate he didn’t know a lot about who has impressed him.“I played with a really good shooter in Blake Hinson, but Trent Noah? Gosh, he can shoot the living ??!! out of the ball. He can really shoot it. I love TN.”
Noah averaged 1.5 3-point shots per game as a freshman and hit 33 percent from 3 — well under his high school average when he scored 3,707 points for Harlan County, the fifth best total in state history. Noah’s shooting was a big reason UK swept regular-season games against Tennessee last season.
Kentucky coach Mark Pope said earlier this spring that Noah is “made different” and had a chance to eventually be a “Kentucky legend” before his career ended.
“I’m so happy for him because there’s some part of him that can see it and feel it and taste it and care about it, and it’s going to be really special. I love that kid so much,” Pope said.
5 Responses
Hopefully Pope will give early minutes to Noah at the 2 spot and 3 spot if needed there. If Noah plays good defense, rebounds, and takes and makes 3s that come his way he will be able to cement his role as first man off the bench to backup Oweh. Johnson’s turn will come in the 26/27 season if he stays for it. With NIL and the portal being what they are, freshmen are not going to see much playing time with more experienced, seasoned players ahead of them. Noah is in control of his destiny if Pope gives him the opportunity to siege that control.
If it’s shooting you want then it’s shooting you will get. If we needed a 3 late in the game you could use a starting 5 of Johnson/Chandler/Noah/Williams/Jelavic would be a deadly combination of shooters. This would even be. Top 25 starting 5. Noah might lead Kentucky in 3 point % this year. I think it will be between 3 guys who leads Kentucky in 3 point % I would say Noah Williams and Chandler are probably the 3 best shooters on the team. In the front court we have Mo-D Garrison Jelavic and Potter who can all knock down 3s at the 5 and 4 positions. I actually think we will be a even better 3 point shooting team this year compared to last year. With much better defense and better athletes.
Mr. Know it All – ice response to anyone who complains about your comments – that’s letting the whiners know that their comments fall on deaf ears.
In what I’ve read Noah has turn heads at the summer workouts. He has made vast improvements to his game compare what he had last year. It’s going to be hard for Pope have him sitting on the pine for long period.
Last year set the precedent for what to expect when great shooters Perry & Noah mostly rode the bench during those early cupcake games when they could have made major adjustments & been ready for the tougher part of the schedule. Of the transfer portal traveling players who have zero links to Kentucky &/or UK get all the early minutes, the opportunity to make a Title run will not happen. The bench has to be used for players with very low ANE values because that proves they are not TEAM FIRST players. Only GENUINE TEAM FIRST players can blend in to produce #9. Oweh can be a real key IF he plays TEAM FIRST this season in stead of not sharing the ball like a real star would do. Last season he & Jaxson had the 2 lowest ANE values of the 8 or 9 players who got the most minutes. There were both near or below 0.00 most of the season whereas Carr was over 0.400 most of the season. Williams & Butler were near 0.300 most of the season.
National Championships are won by TEAMS with an average ANE well above 0.300, which requires all the players to blend together & leave any personal goals on the shelf.
The first 5 or 6 games last season presented a National Championship contender, but after 10 games, too many players who felt they were locked in as starters began to go solo on far too many possessions. It will happen again unless players like Noah are given at least15 to 20 minutes every game during the first 10 or 12 games so the real potential can be out on display.
UK gave up so many points in a lot of games last season, it was a joke to read about “defense” – Oweh wqs a bulldog on defense and will be an All-American candidate IF he plays FOR the TEAM and dishes out assists as well as scoring, and does not shoot 3’s unless he has improved his shot between seasons.
Pure shooters need at least 5 shots to get into a rhythm. Noah will be amazing if he gets to play a couple of 10 to 12 minute uninterrupted stretches. Noah & Perry both would have done it last season if given the chance in those early games.
To beat the SEC thuggery, set screens and let the great shoots get a clear view for a 1/2 second. UK will lose inside battles because bias SEC refs will always call fouls on UK but seldom call a foul for the same type of play by an opponent.
Pope will eventually lead UK to #9 and more! But he will have to bench the transfers when they go solo after those early games.
Check the old stats & see how UK had fewer assists and more turnovers when UK lost.