Kentucky's rookies have graduated from the 'Freshman Cup' to the 'Sophomore Cup'

Kentucky’s three freshmen were expected to take a back seat in Mark Pope‘s first year as head coach, but deep into SEC play, they’re riding shotgun alongside a group of seasoned veterans.

Travis Perry, Trent Noah, and Collin Chandler were the “project pieces” — guys who would fill in the gaps when necessary early in the season, maybe get some real run in late during blowout wins. That was mostly the case against nonconference foes. But injuries up and down the roster have led to opportunities for the college rookies. All three have jumped on the moments at different times, none more impressive than Tuesday night’s win over Tennessee.

Perry and Noah combined for 19 points on five made three-pointers in a 75-64 win over the No. 5 Volunteers. Chandler was mixed into the action for a few minutes as well, dishing out a beautiful no-look assist to Brandon Garrison for a dunk in the first half. For them to play at a high level against a Top 5 opponent isn’t normal.

“A lot of freshmen in the country can’t do what they’re doing,” Senior wing Ansley Almonor said following the Tennessee win. “When I was a freshman, I was not taking those shots.”

Now 24 games into the season, Noah, Perry, and Chandler are no longer freshmen. They’re important pieces to the rotation. It’s a product of the way they all helped each other improve from the offseason to now.

“We had a thing called the Freshman Cup, but Coach (Mark) Fox changed it to the Sophomore Cup because he says we’re sophomores now,” Noah said. “We’ve grown up. All the time after practice, we always do a little shooting game. You’re gonna have to ask them who won today at shootaround. That was me. It’s really fun. We just get to get extra shots together and be competitive at the same time. It’s fun to do with them.”

That iron-sharpening-iron tactic is paying off deep into the season. Noah and Perry — the two in-state players — are playing more minutes against SEC opponents than they were against nonconference teams. Noah, in particular, went from not seeing the floor at all to playing at least nine minutes in five of Kentucky’s last six games. Chandler’s playing time has gone up and down, but he averaged 16 minutes in back-to-back games against Tennessee (the first matchup) and Arkansas a couple of weeks ago.

You never really know when one or two or all three are going to pop off. Every second on the hardwood is important for both the immediate and long-term futures. The work they’ve put in behind the scenes is allowing them to shine in ways the Big Blue Nation couldn’t be prouder of.

“I walked into the Joe Craft Center last night at 10:15,” Pope said. “And it’s the night before a game. So most of my guys are resting like they should be doing. And I look down from my office and I look onto the court, I hear a ball bouncing. Sure enough, Travis Perry is in the gym at 10:15 last night getting shots like he does every single day.”

Injuries are going to continue plaguing Kentucky, likely for the rest of the regular season at minimum. Pope’s decision to give his freshmen a long leash throughout the season is paying off. He’ll need them the rest of the way.

 “We have a really good freshman group,” Pope said.

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