Kentucky basketball can reach Final Four. It's because Cats have point guard who knows how
MILWAUKEE — Kentucky basketball’sLamont Butler showed why successful March Madness runs belong to point guards. Why the Wildcats are going to be a tough team to eliminate from the NCAA Tournament. And why it won't be that surprising to see them advance to San Antonio for the Final Four.
Just looking at the box score from UK’s 84-75 second round win over Illinois, it’s hard to tell the kind of impact Butler's 14 points and five assists had on the game. And certainly Koby Brea’s game-high 23 points helped power the Cats through to next week’s Sweet 16 in Indianapolis.
Butler's Final Four pedigree from his time at San Diego State kicked in as he faced the thought of playing in his final collegiate game. It was clear early on that he was not going to let Kentucky lose.
It was especially important in the first half, when UK leading scorer Otega Oweh picked up his second foul with 12:31 remaining. Oweh sat for the rest of half and, largely thanks to Butler, the Cats didn’t really miss him.
There’s no replacing Butler’s experience, just his presence on the floor brings a confidence and reassurance to the rest of the UK lineup.
That’s no knock against freshman Collin Chandler, who coach Mark Pope used primarily as Butler’s replacement when he needed a breather. Or freshman Travis Perry, who has played Butler’s backup most of the time during the regular season.
Butler has a knack of doing what’s needed at the right time.
Illinois was trying to get its partisan crowd at the Fiserv Forum riled up, having chipped a 15-point deficit down to 10. It forced a missed layup from Oweh and started in transition up the floor.
Butler trailed Tomislav Ivisic and looped around him from left to right to steal the ball and make a quick dish to Brandon Garrison for basket and a foul with 4:37 left.
Butler is clearly still ailing from a left shoulder injury that’s has hampered him for most of the past two months. In the Cats’ win over Troy in the first round, he appeared to favor his shoulder so much he tried to avoid contact through drives and while chasing opponents through picks.
He was back running the show in a way not seen since before his injury occurred in late January. With elimination on the line, Butler didn’t wait to get involved in the game. He stayed aggressive with no regard to his injury.
He darted down the lane cradling the ball like a running back to complete one layup in the first half. He stepped outside and drained a 3-pointer then made another on a step-back.
It was the first time he’s made more than one 3 in a game since going 2-for-5 on Jan. 18 against Alabama. His 10 points in the first half marked just the second time Butler reached double figures since Jan. 28, the first game he missed due to his shoulder injury.
This column will be updated.
Reach sports columnist C.L. Brown at clbrown1@gannett.com, follow him on X at @CLBrownHoops and subscribe to his newsletter at profile.courier-journal.com/newsletters/cl-browns-latest to make sure you never miss one of his columns.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky basketball: Lamont Butler can lead Pope's squad to Final Four
Topics
-
Mark Pope needs to shut down Lamont Butler for rest of SEC Tournament to give UK NCAA hope
Mark Pope's Kentucky basketball team dispatched Oklahoma without Lamont Butler. If Pope wants Cats to thrive in NCAA tourney, he needs to rest guard.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Will Lamont Butler return for Kentucky basketball? Injury update during SEC Tournament
Lamont Butler, Kentucky basketball's starting point guard, departed in the middle of the first half Thursday during UK's opening game in Nashville.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Can Tennessee basketball reach Final Four in March Madness bracket? Our prediction
Can Tennessee basketball reach NCAA bracket’s Final Four? Our 2025 March Madness predictions show how Vols can make run in tournament.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17 -
Can Oregon basketball reach Final Four in March Madness bracket? Our prediction
Can Oregon basketball reach NCAA bracket’s Final Four? Our 2025 March Madness predictions show how Ducks can make run in tournament.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17 -
Kentucky relying on newcomers to end its recent history of postseason frustration
Lamont Butler’s Final Four background has earned him a nickname as the former San Diego State guard attempts to end Kentucky’s recent pattern of March sadness. Kentucky (22-11) is the No. 3 seed ...Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Injured Butler wills UK 'underdogs' to Sweet 16
Lamont Butler battled through multiple injuries Sunday to help Kentucky reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2019 and in Mark Pope's first season as coach.ESPN - 1d -
Why Michigan basketball can make March Madness run to the Final Four
Michigan basketball has an unstoppable frontcourt, a backcourt that's peaking and a coach who has been to the Final Four in March Madness.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16 -
Mark Pope's first season with Kentucky basketball will be defined by 1 thing: NCAA success
Mark Pope's first season guiding Kentucky, his alma mater, always will be viewed through the prism of how the Wildcats fare in the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15 -
State champion Albertus Magnus rolls past Middletown to reach girls basketball Final Four
Defending state Class AA champ Albertus Magnus reaches AAA Final Four with dominant win over Middletown in girls basketball regional finalYahoo Sports - Mar. 15
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Swiatek gets extra security after harassment
World number two Iga Swiatek is receiving additional security at the Miami Open after she was harassed by a spectator during her practice.Media reports said that Swiatek was verbally harassed by a ...Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Texas Children's Houston Open 2025: First-round tee times and groupings
Tee times and groupings for the first round of the Texas Children's Houston Open.Yahoo Sports - 12m -
WBB: Bearcats G Abby Holtman enters transfer portal
Brandan Wesson, Wessography/TFON Cincinnati guard Abby Holtman has announced she will enter the transfer portal via IG. Holtman, a Florence Kentucky native spent the last two seasons at Cincinnati ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
3 things to watch for the Sixers in final 10 games of the season
Here are three things to watch for with the Philadelphia 76ers in the final 10 games of the 2024-25 season.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
2025 NFL free agency: Contract details for New York Jets CB Brandon Stephens
2025 NFL free agency: Contract details for Jets CB Brandon Stephens:Yahoo Sports - 16m
More in Sports
-
NWSL condemns alleged abuse of Pride's Banda
The NWSL and NJ/NY Gotham FC are investigating "hateful language" directed from a fan toward Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda during a match on Sunday.ESPN - 9m -
Blatter, Platini cleared in FIFA corruption case
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and France great Michel Platini were both cleared of corruption charges by a Swiss court on Tuesday.ESPN - 9m -
Ronaldo: Penalty miss? Knew Portugal would win
Cristiano Ronaldo had no doubt that Portugal would progress to the UEFA Nations League semifinals even after missing a penalty on Sunday.ESPN - 9m -
Balogun returns with hat trick in Monaco friendly
United States striker Folarin Balogun has played his first match this year following shoulder surgery.ESPN - 9m -
Güler, Szoboszlai continue feud: 'This guy a joke'
Real Madrid star Arda Güler called Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai "a joke" on Monday after the pair clashed in the UEFA Nations League game between Turkey and Hungary.ESPN - 9m