Life has a funny way of working out. 2 years ago, Trent Noah was headed to South Carolina. Why? Because John Calipari, the head coach of Kentucky at the time, didn't feel the Harlan County native fit into his "vision" for the program.
Calipari didn't think Noah was a Kentucky-level player.
So, when Calipari left for Arkansas and Noah decommitted from the Gamecocks to live out his childhood dream in Lexington with Mark Pope, the narrative followed him.
"He's too slow."
"He belongs at EKU."
"He can't guard in the SEC."
We have heard the "EKU" jokes from our own fanbase all season.
Well, on Saturday night in Fayetteville, the kid who "wasn't good enough" walked into John Calipari's gym and beat him.
Trent Noah gets the ultimate vindication
Noah didn't just participate in Kentucky's win over Arkansas; he was essential to it. In a game where every possession felt like a war, Noah finished with 9 points and 7 rebounds.
But the box score doesn't measure heart, or the rotations on defense he does to help his team. When Kentucky needed someone to battle down low against SEC athletes? Noah was there.
When the defense needed help-side rotation? Noah was there. He did all the dirty work that Calipari seemingly thought he couldn't do.
The Brazile incident
The most telling moment came at the very end. As the clock was winding down and Kentucky had the game in hand, Arkansas forward Trevon Brazile, clearly frustrated, decided to grab Noah and fling him around in a cheap shot. It was called a flagrant 1.
It was a moment where the mountain mamba could have retaliated or lashed out. He could have gotten a technical, and it would have been justified.
Instead, Noah didn't even flinch. He ignored the "rage bait." He stepped to the free-throw line, cool as the other side of the pillow, and buried 3 of 4 free throws to empty Bud Walton.
It was the ultimate "scoreboard" moment. Brazile lost his cool; Noah won the game.
A Win That Lasts Forever
You can't take this away from him. Trent Noah went from being the recruit John Calipari passed on to the player who helped hand Calipari a loss at home for the first time over a calendar year. That isn't just a win; that is poetic justice.
The Cats now have four Quad 1 wins and will head home to face Oklahoma on Wednesday.
But for tonight, raise a glass to the kid from Harlan. He proved he belongs. And he proved it to the one man who doubted him the most.