In Kentucky’s 93-85 victory over Louisville, there was no question about who deserved the Most Valuable Player title—Lamont Butler. His incredible 33-point performance made him a clear choice for MVP, a decision that has unanimous support from the Big Blue Nation.
Butler’s participation was uncertain heading into the game due to an ankle injury sustained against Clemson, but not only did he play, he dominated. He finished the game a perfect 10-10 from the field, including 6-6 from three-point range, marking a career-high 33 points. Along with his scoring, Butler contributed six assists, three rebounds, and three turnovers in 32 minutes of play. He became only the second SEC player in the past 20 years to score 30+ points with 100% shooting from the floor, according to ESPN.
After missing two games, there was no way Butler was going to sit out this critical rivalry matchup. His flawless performance added him to a long list of Kentucky legends who’ve tormented Louisville, and Pat Kelsey, Louisville’s coach, wasn’t shy about acknowledging Butler’s past excellence. Kelsey recalled facing Butler when he was at San Diego State, where the point guard led his team to victory over Kelsey’s College of Charleston squad in a memorable battle.
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope also praised Butler, noting his mentality was centered on winning, not individual accolades. Pope remarked, “He just wants to win, right? And when you come to this game just wanting to win, you bring a pureness to the game that the game rewards you for.” Pope emphasized that Butler’s commitment to winning has been the cornerstone of his career and his continued growth as a player.
