How Noah Waterman Saved Louisville’s Season: A Promise Kept
In the unpredictable world of college basketball, the highs and lows of a season can swing wildly from one game to the next. For Louisville’s men’s basketball team, the 2023-2024 season was one that seemed to be teetering on the edge of irrelevance. With so much uncertainty and inconsistency early on, fans, coaches, and players alike were left questioning what would become of a team that had shown flashes of potential but struggled to find their rhythm. However, in the midst of this uncertainty, a player who had flown somewhat under the radar was quietly becoming the catalyst for a much-needed turnaround.
That player was Noah Waterman, a versatile forward who, after a narrow win over Eastern Kentucky (EKU) in late December, had his place in Louisville’s resurgence cemented. I made a promise on the radio that night: If Louisville managed to make the NCAA Tournament, I would write a 2,000-word post titled “How Noah Waterman Saved the Season.” Well, as the season reached its apex and Louisville made the much-coveted NCAA Tournament berth, I’m here to deliver on that promise. In this article, we’ll explore just how Noah Waterman became the unlikely hero of the Cardinals’ season, and why his contributions played such a pivotal role in their late-season surge.
A Season Hanging by a Thread
Before Waterman became the focal point of Louisville’s late-season success, the Cardinals were on the brink of disaster. After a strong start to the season, they had hit a massive roadblock. The win over EKU came at a time when the team was struggling with consistency, and their place in the postseason was in serious jeopardy. Louisville was looking for something, anything, to ignite a spark and turn their season around.
In that narrow victory against EKU, the Cardinals were far from dominant. It was a game that many would look back on as a narrow escape, a sign that something wasn’t clicking. For Louisville to make the NCAA Tournament, a dramatic improvement would be required. And that’s where Noah Waterman, a player who had flown under the radar for much of the season, stepped up in ways no one could have predicted.
The Arrival of Noah Waterman
When Noah Waterman transferred to Louisville, he was known as a stretch forward, capable of shooting from long range, with the ability to spread the floor. His skill set offered something different for the Cardinals, but whether he could make a significant impact was up for debate. Early in the season, he showed promise but didn’t always find his footing. Despite flashes of brilliance, Waterman’s consistency remained in question. However, during the back half of the season, particularly after that EKU win, Waterman emerged as the player the team desperately needed.
One of the biggest questions surrounding Louisville’s team in the early part of the season was their scoring depth. The Cardinals had talented players, but they struggled to find consistent scoring outside of their key contributors. Waterman, a former Horizon League standout, was tasked with finding his role and contributing to a team that needed his scoring ability. When he finally found his rhythm, his impact was immediate and undeniable.
How Noah Waterman Turned the Season Around
What made Noah Waterman the linchpin of Louisville’s turnaround wasn’t just his offensive contributions—though those were certainly vital—but his ability to affect the game in a variety of ways. Waterman brought a unique skill set that filled a critical gap for the Cardinals. His shooting range opened up Louisville’s offense, stretching defenses and providing more space for his teammates to operate.
In the second half of the season, Waterman became Louisville’s most consistent shooter. He was no longer just an afterthought but a focal point in the offensive game plan. Waterman’s shooting percentage from beyond the arc steadily increased, and he quickly became a threat teams had to account for on every possession. His ability to stretch the floor with deep shots was crucial in helping the Cardinals open up lanes for their inside players, creating better looks both inside and out.
But Waterman wasn’t just a shooter—he was a player who understood the flow of the game. He became a stabilizing force for Louisville, especially during crunch time. His poise in tight games, ability to hit clutch shots, and strong defensive positioning made him invaluable as the Cardinals fought their way back into the tournament conversation.
Perhaps most importantly, Waterman’s growth and development helped Louisville in the areas where they had struggled most. His improvement came at a time when the team needed leadership, consistency, and someone who could step up and take control. As the season progressed, Waterman’s confidence grew, and with it, the team’s success. What began as a rocky season had turned into a red-hot finish that saw Louisville clinch a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
The Statistics That Tell the Story
While basketball is a team sport, statistics often tell a clear story about an individual’s impact. Noah Waterman’s statistical contributions in the back half of the season were key in Louisville’s success. Over the final stretch of the season, Waterman averaged over 12 points per game, with shooting splits that reflected his efficiency and growth as a player. His three-point shooting percentage jumped significantly, often hitting critical shots that allowed Louisville to pull away in tight games.
In addition to his offensive prowess, Waterman provided solid defense and rebounding, areas where Louisville had often struggled earlier in the year. His presence on both ends of the floor made him an all-around player that Louisville could rely on during their critical stretch run.
One of Waterman’s standout performances came in a key victory against a top-ranked opponent in the conference. He put up a season-high 24 points, hitting several three-pointers down the stretch and locking down defensively when it mattered most. That game was a turning point in the Cardinals’ quest for the NCAA Tournament, and it was Waterman who helped carry them to victory.
Why Waterman’s Role Was So Crucial
In many ways, Noah Waterman’s journey mirrored that of Louisville’s season. Both began with uncertainty, but by the end of the year, they had found their stride at exactly the right time. Waterman was the x-factor for a team that needed a spark, and his ability to provide scoring, leadership, and versatility gave the Cardinals the necessary tools to secure their place in the postseason.
For Louisville, Waterman’s improvement was the difference between a disappointing season and one that ended with the promise of March Madness. The Cardinals’ late surge and eventual NCAA Tournament berth would not have been possible without his contributions. His development as a player was a catalyst for the team’s success and solidified his place as one of the unsung heroes of the 2023-2024 season.
Promises Made, Promises Kept
Back in December, after Louisville’s close win over EKU, I made a promise on the radio: If the Cardinals managed to make the NCAA Tournament, I would write a 2,000-word post about how Noah Waterman saved the season. As we now look back on a season that saw Louisville’s turnaround, it’s clear that Waterman was the player who made it all happen.
Through his growth and development, Waterman became more than just a contributor—he was the player who, when the pressure was on, stepped up and delivered. Louisville’s season was defined by moments of adversity, but in Noah Waterman, they found a player who was able to rise above the challenges and carry the team when it mattered most.
And with that, promises made, promises kept.