Tag: Lamont Butler

Kentucky will face Tennessee without one of their key starters

Andrew Carr could play against Tennessee, but they’ll be without another key player.

Heading into their game against the Tennessee Volunteers, Kentucky basketball already has plenty to deal with. The Vols are a top ten team, the Cats are trying to avoid three straight losses, and now, injuries are stacking up, including with point guard Lamont Butler.

Butler has been dealing with physical issues for a few weeks, particularly a noticeable shoulder problem. Now, he has been ruled “out” for the Wildcats game in Knoxville.

Related: A Kentucky recruit is a McDonald’s All-American

It’s a big blow to Kentucky’s chances. They will be without both Butler and Kerr Kriisa, who continues to recover from his own injury. Butler has been one of the Wildcats’ most important players this season, averaging 13 points and nearly 5 assists per game.

Freshman Travis Perry is certain to get more playing time with Butler out, and Jaxson Robinson could see some time at the point guard spot.

With Andrew Carr still questionable as well, it will take a complete team effort to take down the Volunteers.

Two more Wildcats dealing with injuries heading into the game with Alabama

Three Kentucky basketball players are now on the availability report.

Injuries are something nearly every team has to deal with, and Kentucky basketball is no different. Kerr Kriisa is missing extended time with a foot injury already, and Andrew Carr is playing though a back injury. Now, the night before they play Alabama, a couple of players are on the availability report.

Carr is listed as probable as he continues to deal with the issue with his back. Meanwhile, Lamont Butler also shows up on the report as questionable. It’s not specified what his injury is, though he was battered in the Texas A&M game.

Related: Kentucky a two seed in ESPN Bracketology

Coach Mark Pope has talked about Carr’s back, and the plan remains for him to work through it. He should play.

Butler’s designation is more concerning. He was knocked to the floor several times against the Aggies, and seemed to be holding his shoulder on more than one occasion.

If Butler can’t go, and Kriisa still out, the Wildcats would be down to just one point guard available in Freshman Travis Perry. That wouldn’t be ideal, especially against a team like the Crimson Tide. Hopefully he’ll be ready by game-time.

Kentucky basketball wins in a slugfest over Texas A&M

Kentucky got another victory over a ranked team by beating Texas A&M on Tuesday.

Point guard Lamont Butler took an elbow to the face late in the fourth quarter against Texas A&M, and it wasn’t even close to the hardest shot he took in the game. The Wildcats and Aggies slugged it out, and Kentucky came out on top 81-69.

The first half was a struggle for the Cats, with the offense failing to get going from three point range. They went over five minutes without a single point, and fell behind by six points.

Jaxson Robinson would heat up, though, and close the first half with a three pointer that put Kentucky up by three at halftime.

Related: Kentucky gains ground in new ESPN Bracketology

In the second half, Kentucky would pull away. Texas A&M went cold from the floor. The Wildcats, however, heated up, and then held off a late push from the Aggies.

Robinson had a second consecutive big game, totaling 22 points and 8 rebounds. Andrew Carr added 13 points, while Otega Oweh scored 11.

Perhaps the most important stat of the game was the rebounding line. Kentucky out-rebounded Texas A&M 40-31 and 12-11 in offensive boards. That’s normally a stat the Aggies dominate.

Overall, it was another good win for the Wildcats, who have now beaten five teams ranked in the top 15. The Alabama Crimson Tide are up next.

Another slow start dooms Kentucky basketball against Georgia

Kentucky struggled in the first half once again in a loss to Georgia on Tuesday.

If Tuesday night’s game against the Georgia Bulldogs seemed familiar to fans, it’s because it was. A slow start and more struggled with physical defense hindered Kentucky basketball, and they lost to the Bulldogs 82 – 69.

It was a close game early on, and the Wildcats led by four halfway through the first half. However, Georgia’s shots began to fall, and they went on a 21 – 13 run that put them in front to stay.

The Bulldogs, like other teams this year, took advantage of Kentucky’s frontcourt deficiencies and got a lot of easy shots. The Cats trailed by 13 at halftime.

Related: Kentucky up to a two-seed in latest Bracketology

Kentucky played better in the second half. They made a run and cut the lead to five, but Georgia went on and 11 – 4 run to put it basically out of reach.

Lamont Butler led the way for Kentucky with 20 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals. Otega Oweh added 12 points and 7 boards. Brandon Garrison had his best game, with 13 points and 5 rebounds.

Overall, it was another ugly statistical night for the Wildcats. They made just 37% of their shots and just 24% from three-point range. They were out-rebounded once again as well, something that has been a consistent problem.

Kentucky won’t have a lot of time to lick their wounds. They’ll take on the 14th ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs on Saturday, January 11th.

Two graduate transfers are leading Kentucky’s basketball teams to early success

The men and women’s Kentucky basketball teams are being led by two graduate students who transferred in this year.

On Sunday, in the closing moments of Kentucky women’s basketball’s win over Vanderbilt, point guard Georgia Amoore put the finishing touches on a 24 point and 9 assist day. It was her sixth consecutive contest with 20 or more points, and eighth of the season.

A day before, Lamont Butler recorded 19 points and 8 assists in a big win over the previously unbeaten Florida Gators. He made shots when he needed to, and, as he has all season, delivered the ball where it needed to be nearly without fail.

The two Kentucky point guards have been big parts of their teams’ starts to the season, and the parallels between the two are numerous.

Related: A top 2025 recruit had some interesting comments

Butler transferred over from San Diego State to join new coach Mark Pope as he rebuilt an empty roster. Amoore followed Kenny Brooks from Virginia Tech to play one final season with the Wildcats, with a plan to build the offense around her.

Both players are graduate students and point guards. Both are leaders on the floor and both are the heart of their team.

More importantly, if either team plans to make a deep NCAA Tournament run in March, both Amoore and Butler will have to be a big part of it. For now, both have been home run additions to the two rosters for Kentucky basketball.

Kentucky opens SEC play with a big win over Florida

Kentucky basketball opened SEC play by beating the sixth ranked Florida Gators.

Kentucky basketball opened SEC play on Saturday, and immediately faced a tough test against an undefeated Florida Gators team. It was the 11th ranked Wildcats who walked out with the victory, though. They rode an offensive explosion to a 106-100 win.

Florida jumped out to an early lead, but as has been the pattern, Kentucky went on a 13-0 to get ahead. They led 52-42 at halftime.

In the second half, it was the Gators who made a run. They closed the gap to a single point a few times, and then to within two with four minutes to play. A Lamont Butler three pointer extended the lead, though, and Florida couldn’t get close again.

Related: Kentucky a three-seed in latest ESPN Bracketology

The Wildcats were paced by Koby Brea, who had 23 points and made 7-of-9 from three-point range. He was one of six who score in double figures for Kentucky. Butler was fantastic once again, adding 19 points and 8 assists. Amari Williams had 15 points and 8 rebounds.

Overall, it was a great team effort, and a big win for Mark Pope and the Wildcats team. Kentucky made nearly 60% of their shots overall and hit almost 50% of their three-pointers.

Up next for the Cats is the Georgia Bulldogs. That game will be on Tuesday and will be Kentucky’s first conference road game of the season.

Lamont Butler was named SEC Co-Player of the Week

Kentucky point guard Lamont Butler was Co-Player of the Week after scoring 33 against Louisville.

It was a grand return to the court for Kentucky basketball point guard Lamont Butler. After missing two games with an injury, he was back on the floor against Louisville, and showed why he is such an important player.

Anything can happen in a rivalry game, and the Cardinals kept things close. However, Butler continually put the Wildcats on his back, making big plays at every big moment. He ended up having a career night.

Related: Best photos from Kentucky’s win over Louisville

Butler attempted 10 shots against Louisville and made all 10 of them, including going 6-of-6 from three point range. He had 33 points to lead the Cats, and added six assists, which also led the team, and three rebounds.

His performance earned him the honor of being named SEC Co-Player of the Week along with Auburn Tigers star Johni Broom. It was a big game for Butler, and in a big game for Kentucky. Congrats to him on his award.

Lamont Butler is Kentucky’s most important player this season

Point guard Lamont Butler is Kentucky’s most important player.

When Mark Pope was hired as the new Kentucky basketball coach in the Spring, he had to completely rebuild the roster. Among some of the flashier players he brought in, like three-time Defensive Player of the Year Amari Wiliams and elite shooter Koby Brea, was point guard Lamont Butler.

Butler played for four seasons at San Diego State and was a key member of the team that made the 2023 Final Four. Now, he’s at Kentucky, and is the Wildcats most important player.

Against Louisville, Butler played his best game, scoring 33 points while shooting 10-for-10 from the floor. However, he’s not just valuable for his scoring.

Related: Best photos from Kentucky’s win over Louisville

One of the reasons Pope recruited Butler was his defense, and he has been excellent in that regard. Opponents are shooting just 27.5% from three point range, and he is a part of that. He’s a terrific on-ball defender, who can lock down opposing guards.

Butler has also been a clutch shooter this season, making 33% of his three-point attempts. He has also been terrific at driving to the basket and getting easy buckets or fouled in the attempt. He’s shooting over 60% from the field as a whole.

Kentucky has a deep, talented, and experienced roster, and any player can take over a game on any give night. However, it’s Butler that makes it go with his defense and passing ability. He’s a leader and plays hard every time down the floor. If the Wildcats make noise in March, he’ll certainly be a huge part of it.

The best photos from Kentucky’s win over Louisville

Here are some of the best images from Kentucky’s win over Louisville on Saturday.

It was another good year for Kentucky basketball fans in terms of their annual rivalry game with the Louisville Cardinals. It was a close game throughout, but the Wildcats held them off for a 93 – 85 victory.

The matchup was an intense one, as always. It not only had the feel of a big game, including a rapt audience that was into every second of it, but it had also had the requisite trash talk, physicality of play, and a near-brawl.

Related: Kentucky women beat Purdue on the road

Lamont Butler led the way for Kentucky with 33 points. He was 6-of-6 from three-point range, and each one seemed to come at an important moment. Andrew Carr also made a number of timely plays, especially on the defensive end.

In the end, it was another win for Kentucky in the series. It was the third straight in the series for the Wildcats, and the sixth of the last seven.

With such an emotional game, the pictures from the game are sure to be good. Here are the best images from the Kentucky win.

Kentucky defeats Louisville behind a career night from Lamont Butler

Kentucky got a huge game from Lamont Butler in a win over Louisville.

The rivalry between Kentucky basketball and Louisville is one of the country’s more intense ones. Kentucky has beaten the Duke Blue Devils and Gonzaga Bulldogs, but beating the Cardinals is an absolute must every year.

On Saturday, the two teams battled in an entertaining game that resulted in a win for the Wildcats by a score of 93 – 85. It was a close game throughout, and Kentucky didn’t get the win easily, but they are now 10 – 1 on the season.

The Cats jumped out early, but Louisville began to hit make some three pointers in timely moments. Kentucky led by six at halftime.

Related: Kentucky women are still 16th in the nation

The second half was more of the same. The Wildcats would make runs, but Louisville would stay in striking distance. In the end, Kentucky made just enough plays on defense to hold on.

Lamont Butler had a career night for Kentucky. He was a perfect 10-of-10 from the field, including 6-of-6 from deep and scored 33 points. He added six assists.

Otega Oweh had 17 points, including some big baskets down the stretch. Andrew Carr also made some huge plays, with some big rebounds and two blocked shots.

Kentucky will play Ohio State next Saturday at Rupp Arena.