Mark Pope marvels at 'all-time great performance' from Lamont Butler in win vs. Louisville against all odds

The Kentucky Wildcats earned a massive win over their rival, the Louisville Cardinals on Saturday. It’s a game that head coach Mark Pope knows is largely thanks to the play of guard Lamont Butler.

After the game, Pope praised Butler for having an all-time great performance in the 93-85 win over Louisville. In particular, for the way that Butler was able to perform that way coming off an injury and missing time as he’s dealt with an ankle injury.

“First of all, I was joking with the guys after,” Mark Pope said. “On the way off the floor Lamont’s agent called me and said okay, he’s only playing every 10 days and he’s taking the rest of the time off. Unbelievable credit to him. My goodness, what an incredible, I mean, Lamont Butler just gave us one of the all-time greatest performances in the history of this super special game. Like, all time.” 

In 32 minutes, Lamont Butler was able to score 33 points, which was the most of any individual player in the game. He also had three rebounds and six assists to help lead Kentucky to the win.

“The numbers back it up. The way he came into it backs it up,” Pope said. “And you think about when you go out and you are trying to recruit and our guys, our staff is so good and those guys identify a winner, then this is what you get from him, right? I’m so proud of him and major credit — major credit.”

Mark Pope also emphasized the effort that went into getting Lamont Butler in shape to play for the game, since he hasn’t been able to practice as traditionally as other players while battling his injury.

“I’ve been looking at my performance team side-eyed for the last 10 days. I’m telling you, this Brandon Wells is probably the best in the entire business. He’s incredible. And for Randy to have limited access but to be creative enough to keep Lamont in playing condition without him being able to set foot on his ankle for a week is really remarkable. You know, we weren’t proceeding with caution, we weren’t just holding him out of gameplay because we wanted him to get a bunch of practice under his belt. He really hasn’t done anything. Everything has been auxiliary,” Pope said.

“We are blessed at Kentucky to have two of the best guys in the whole business doing it. It’s a real credit to Lamont. His heart. It’s a real credit to Brandon and Randy. What an unbelievable team they were. So, hats off to those guys.”

From here, non-conference play continues for Kentucky against Ohio State on Saturday, December 21st.