Freshman Trent Noah had his big March Madness moment in Kentucky’s first-round win over Troy. With the Wildcats struggling early from three, hitting just one of their first eight attempts, Noah drained a crucial corner three off a pass from Amari Williams. His shot ignited a 10-0 Kentucky run, helping the Wildcats take an eight-point halftime lead and gain control of the game.
Head coach Mark Pope highlighted Noah’s shot as one of the game’s biggest moments, calling his impact “huge” on both ends of the floor. Williams agreed, noting the momentum shift when Noah’s shot fell. Even Collin Chandler, Kentucky’s second-half hero, was surprised Troy gave Noah that look, calling him a “sniper” and predicting their coaching staff wasn’t happy about the defensive lapse.
Noah’s final stat line—three points, one rebound in eight minutes—doesn’t tell the full story. He secured a memory he’ll cherish forever, a personal March Madness moment that felt like a dream come true. Growing up in Harlan, he used to mimic Kentucky greats like Malik Monk, shooting on his mini hoop at halftime. Now, he’s making real shots in real tournament games.
Despite struggling from three in recent weeks, Noah credited his confidence to teammates like Jaxson Robinson and assistant coach Mark Fox, who encouraged him to keep shooting. His willingness to step up in the moment was key for Kentucky, which now advances to the Round of 32.
For Noah, playing in March for Kentucky means everything. He understands what postseason success means to the Wildcats’ fanbase and is proud to contribute, even in a small but impactful way. “It’s incredible,” he said. “Getting to the Round of 32, doing it for the state—it means so much.”