Lamont Butler etched his name into Kentucky basketball lore with a performance for the ages in the Wildcats’ victory over Louisville. Coming into the game under uncertain circumstances after missing a week of practice, Butler delivered a jaw-dropping career-high 33 points in just 32 minutes, making history in the process.
Butler’s flawless shooting night—going 10-for-10 from the field, including 6-for-6 from beyond the arc, while adding six assists and three rebounds—cemented him as the new “Cardinal Killer.” Playing through injury, Butler became only the second SEC player in the last 20 years to score 30-plus points on 100 percent shooting. His brilliance joins a long list of unforgettable moments in the Kentucky-Louisville rivalry, surpassing expectations and earning him instant fan-favorite status.
“This is the best rivalry in college basketball, and somehow Butler jumped to the top of the fan-favorite leaderboard overnight,” Kentucky head coach Mark Pope said. “Lamont just gave us one of the all-time performances in the history of this super special game. The numbers back it up.”
Butler’s 33-point explosion ranks second all-time in scoring for this rivalry, trailing only Derrick Miller’s 34-point outing in 1988. His six three-pointers tied Jeff Brassow’s record for the most made in a single game against Louisville.
Fans have seen legendary moments in this heated rivalry—from Tyler Ulis’ bloodied eye to DeMarcus Cousins’ intensity on the court—but Butler’s performance stands out as one of the most dominant and efficient displays ever.
With this historic outing, Butler solidified his place in Kentucky lore while proving his resilience and clutch ability. His heroics will be remembered for years, adding another chapter to the storied Battle of the Bluegrass.
