The Kentucky Wildcats snapped their three-game losing streak Tuesday night with a hard-fought win over South Carolina, but much of the conversation afterward centered on Trent Noah and his ongoing shooting struggles.
The freshman forward has hit a rough patch at the worst possible time. Noah hasn’t made a field goal since January 31, a six-game stretch in which he’s gone 0-for-9 from the floor and 0-for-7 from beyond the arc. While he’s still shooting 36.4% overall and 34.1% from three on the season, the recent drought has been difficult to ignore.
Some coaches might shorten the rotation or quietly move on during a slump like this. Instead, Mark Pope made it clear he’s not backing away from Noah. The Kentucky head coach continued to give the 6-foot-6 wing opportunities, including six minutes against the Gamecocks, reinforcing his belief in the young forward.
Pope’s message was simple but powerful: he trusts Noah. That public show of confidence can mean everything for a freshman navigating SEC competition. Rather than focusing solely on missed shots, Pope has emphasized Noah’s work ethic, preparation, and the other ways he can impact the game.
A Harlan County native, Noah arrived in Lexington as a three-star prospect and the second-ranked player in Kentucky’s 2024 class, trailing only Travis Perry. Known for his size and ability to stretch the floor, Noah has the tools to be a key contributor — especially with Kam Williams sidelined and minutes opening up on the wing.
Kentucky will need Noah to rediscover his rhythm as the regular season winds down. The Wildcats return to action Saturday at home against Vanderbilt, with tipoff set for 2 p.m. ET. If Pope’s confidence proves contagious, Noah’s breakout moment could come sooner rather than later — and it might arrive at exactly the right time for the Cats.
