With 6:13 left to play, Kentucky found themselves down three, 58-55, short Jaxson Robinson, Lamont Butler, and Kerr Kriisa to the Tennessee Volunteers. Orange had all the momentum. Until…

The Mountain Mamba

Trent Noah checks in for good. Kentucky closes the game out on a 20-6 run from that point forward, ultimately logging a double-digit home SEC win, 75-64, as a result. Noah, or the “Mountain Mamba,” as he’s been lovingly dubbed in recent weeks, tallied career highs across the board, highlighted by a meteoric 75% clip (3/4) from long range.

He wasn’t the only guy to make a difference down the stretch, far from it; Koby Brea made the two plays that will likely be looked back on as proverbial daggers when it’s all said and done, including a no-look lob to Otega Oweh to stretch the ‘Cats lead to 8 with just over one minute left to play.

But Noah’s breakout was a long time coming in lieu of the flashes he showed throughout Kentucky’s recent stretch of injury-riddled games. Mark Pope was sure to give the kid from Harlan County his flowers in the post game, crediting Noah’s community and upbringing for who he is.

Built Different

“I give all the credit to Trent Noah’s family, and his community, where he grew up, because this is what he is,” he said.

“He comes every single day, and he gets no love from us. He’s not a featured guy in practice, he’s not getting the media attention, he’s not gifted anything… he comes every single day and competes with full intensity and incredible physicality.”

Pope continued, “He’s just built different, man. He’s a really special player.”

Not to mention the energy Noah, as well as his fellow Kentuckian Travis Perry, brings to Rupp Arena. He can so much as get a rebound and the roof caves in. An invaluable asset in more ways than one, and whether or not their injuries persist, a guy that Kentucky wants on the floor going forward.

The “Holler Baller” is the latest in a long line of Wildcat reserves to find his footing in the rotation. Kentucky Basketball is deeper than the holler, stronger than the river… well, you get the picture.

Tuesday night, the Cats secured a big win against the 5th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers, but it came with some unfortunate news.

Jaxson Robinson was ruled out before the game due to a right wrist injury. He was seen on the bench wearing a brace on his wrist, but that didn’t stop him from cheering on his teammates and enjoying the action.

Sadly, it looks like Robinson might remain on the bench for the upcoming games as well. Head coach Mark Pope provided an update during his postgame press conference, and it doesn’t sound promising.

“I’m not sure we’re going to get him back anytime soon, but I’m hoping, I’m praying that we get him back sooner.”

Pope did note that Robinson did not make the injury worse vs South Carolina, but that he wanted to “gut it out.”

Robinson has been a key player for Kentucky, averaging 13.3 points per game, shooting 43.2% from the field and 38.1% from deep, all while playing 28.7 minutes per game. He will be crucial for the Wildcats’ hopes come March and during a deep tournament run.

While Robinson’s injury is concerning for Kentucky fans, the worst news came shortly after. Starting point guard Lamont Butler, who had been sidelined with a left shoulder injury, finally returned to the starting lineup. He came out strong, stealing the ball on Tennessee’s first possession and converting it into a layup. Butler played excellent defense against Tennessee’s Zakai Zeigler, collecting three steals, four assists, three rebounds, and six points.

Unfortunately, his performance was cut short. While diving for another steal, Butler landed awkwardly, reaggravating the shoulder injury that had kept him out. Coach Pope shared his concern about the injury.

“Lamont’s was super scary, it was right in front of me. He went down, and the second he went down, you could kind of see as he extended out that it just torqued his shoulder a little bit. Exactly what we didn’t want to do… We’ll patchwork it together, keep figuring it out. I think he was brilliant tonight.”

“It was not great,” Pope said on Thursday with another update. “We’re still going day-by-day, we’re trying some different treatments. We’re going to piece it together. They’re both complicated situations.”

Despite the injuries, Kentucky’s season continues. The team will head to Austin to face a Texas squad that has had its own struggles, including a recent 103-80 loss to #2 Alabama. With that in mind, the Longhorns will be looking to spoil the Wildcats’ momentum, so Kentucky will need everyone to step up once again.

At this point, what is Kentucky Basketball without an unpredictable, and most often unfortunate, injury report?

The latest iteration of the update ahead of the Wildcats’ home matchup with Tennessee has Lamont Butler listed as “Probable,” with Jaxson Robinson slated decisively as “OUT.” Of course, Kerr Kriisa also remains sidelined, for now.

Robinson suffered a wrist injury in practice before the team’s win against South Carolina on Saturday, one that clearly bothered him throughout the game that followed despite his solid performance.

While Robinson’s scoring (13.3 PPG) will be dearly missed against the defensively expert Volunteers, Butler returning to the lineup for a second straight game should give Kentucky fans reason to remain optimistic.

Koby Brea will likely see extended minutes and a start in Robinson’s wake as well. A big game from #4 would go a long way for the Wildcats.

Overcoming Obstacles

Just last month, Kentucky managed to beat Tennessee on the road without Lamont Butler and (mostly) without Andrew Carr. The 78-73 victory was the lone exception during the team’s worst stretch of the season so far.

Up to this point, Kentucky has made a valiant effort in SEC play in the face of their inability to stay consistently healthy. 

But at 5-5 in the conference and 16-7 overall (placing them in the middle of the SEC, and national, pack) Kentucky will have to find a way to string together a couple of wins as the season winds down, lest they sacrifice a competitive seed in March.

That starts with taking care of business at home, no matter the circumstances. To that point, Mark Pope and the boys in blue will face one of their most telling tests of the season tonight in Rupp Arena.

You can tune in and catch the staggered ‘Cats as they attempt to sweep the season series with Tennessee at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN.