Kentucky Basketball Turns to Unexpected Heroes for Energy in Win Over Colgate
Kentucky secured a 78-67 victory over Colgate in a game where they were expected to win by 30 points, but it wasn’t as easy as predicted.
The Wildcats began the game without their primary point guard, Lamont Butler, and backup point guard, Kerr Kriisa. Instead, Jaxson Robinson filled in at point guard, and Kentucky surged ahead with a 17-0 lead. However, as the bench players rotated in, Kentucky’s energy seemed to fade. Despite their early dominance, the Wildcats appeared lethargic, and Colgate took advantage, narrowing the gap to just two points at halftime.
Coach Mark Pope later acknowledged that Kentucky faced an “energy deficit” at one point, and it became clear that the team was struggling to stay motivated. Coming off a big win against Gonzaga, traveling across time zones, and missing key players, the Wildcats were in danger of falling into a “trap game.” Despite the challenges, they managed to pull through, thanks to two unexpected sources of energy.
Trent Noah, one of Kentucky’s true freshmen, emerged as a surprising spark. Despite the shaky performances of some freshmen, Noah’s relentless hustle and strong rebounding brought much-needed energy to the game. His 11 minutes of play energized the team and helped shift the momentum.
Another crucial energy boost came from Kentucky’s passionate fans. As the game grew tense, a thrilling alley-oop from Otega Oweh to Amari Williams ignited Big Blue Nation, who began cheering with intensity. The crowd’s support fueled the Wildcats, who went on a decisive 17-2 run, pulling away from Colgate and securing the win.
After the game, Pope expressed gratitude toward the fans, praising their ability to lift the team during a challenging moment. “BBN is just unbelievable,” he said. “They carried us through.”
Ultimately, the contributions of Noah and the support from the fans were key to Kentucky’s victory, highlighting the importance of sustaining energy, especially in future games and on the road.
