Gonzaga's Nolan Hickman shows love to friend Lamont Butler: 'He's brought a different energy.'

Gonzaga’s Nolan Hickman will be quietly hoping that Lamont Butler‘s ankle isn’t healthy enough for him to play this weekend. Hickman knows exactly what Kentucky’s point guard brings to the table on the defensive end of the floor.

“(Kentucky is) real handsy on defense. Especially Lamont Butler,” Hickman said Wednesday. “He took that tenacity from San Diego (State). I feel like he’s brought a different energy to the Kentucky guards, sitting down and taking pride in playing defense.“

Hickman isn’t wrong either. Kentucky wasn’t expected to roll out a high-level defense, but led by Butler at the point of attack, that’s what we’ve seen through eight games. UK ranks 22nd nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, per KenPom. Butler ranks 28th among all Division I players in EvanMiya’s DBPR stat (Amari Williams is still ranked first, by the way).

Butler’s status for Saturday’s showdown against Gonzaga in Seattle is still uncertain. The fifth-year transfer rolled his ankle early in the second half of the loss to Clemson on Tuesday, although he toughed it out down the stretch and remained in the game. Kentucky head coach Mark Pope said on Thursday that Butler’s ankle is “a little bit of an issue” and he’s hopeful to have him ready for the Bulldogs.

If Butler is ready to go, expect him to see some time defending Hickman (and Ryan Nembhard, who is averaging over 10 assists per game, too). Some fans might remember that Hickman was once committed to UK as a member of the 2021 recruiting class before flipping to Gonzaga. While his overall numbers this season are slightly lower than his junior campaign in 2023-24, he’s still been excellent for head coach Mark Few on a Gonzaga team that might be better than last season.

Hickman is averaging 11.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and one steal in 30.5 minutes per outing. But the Seattle native (the site for Saturday’s game) shooting career-highs from the field (50.7 percent) and from deep (46.2 percent). Hickman dropped 17 points and six rebounds against Baylor, 13 points and three rebounds against West Virginia, and 15 points against Indiana. He’s proven to show up in big games.

On the season, Butler is averaging 12.9 points, 3.9 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 22.5 minutes per game. A two-time MWC Defensive Player of the Year at San Diego State, he stirs the drink on both ends of the floor for the Wildcats. If he’s unable to go against Gonzaga, it’ll be a major blow to Kentucky’s chances. He’s been massively impactful early in the season — Hickman knows that.

“All props to him,” Hickman continued. “That’s my guy as well. Show him love when I can.”