It’s fair to say that Kentucky basketball sorely missed point guard Lamont Butler in their loss to the Clemson Tigers on Tuesday. He picked up two early fouls and missed much of the first half, then injured his ankle in the second half.
His toughness and defensive prowess were needed, and the Wildcats came up just short in their first loss. Now, they have to avoid losing a second straight game against one of the nation’s best teams in Gonzaga, and Butler might not be healthy.
Related: Center Clara Strack is a rising star
Coach Mark Pope said Butler’s ankle is “a little bit of an issue” but that he’s hopeful that he’ll be ready to go. Gonzaga has quality guards, and Butler missing the game would put Kentucky in a bad spot.
It’s likely that Butler will play, but his minutes could be limited, depending on how he’s feeling on Saturday. It’s something fans will monitor, and something that could have a huge impact on the results of the game.