Lamont Butler will reportedly be available for Kentucky's NCAA Tournament run

by:Zack Geoghegan•about 9 hours•

ZGeogheganKSR

Kentucky's injured guards Kerr Kriisa, Lamont Butler, and Jaxson Robinson - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

Take a big deep breath, BBN…

According to CBS Sports insider Jon Rothstein, Mark Pope has told him Kentucky starting point guard Lamont Butler WILL be available for the Wildcats’ upcoming NCAA Tournament run. Butler did not play in UK’s SEC Tournament quarterfinal loss to Alabama on Friday in Nashville after he injured his shoulder during the first half of Kentucky’s win the day prior over Oklahoma.

Through 24 games played this season, Butler is averaging 11.5 points, 4.3 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 25.5 minutes per outing. He’s shooting 49.2 percent overall and 36.2 percent from deep while also serving as the Wildcats’ top perimeter defender. Having him back for the rest of the postseason is a must — and it appears he’ll be back in the fold.

Kentucky's Lamont Butler (shoulder) will be available for the Wildcats' first NCAA Tournament game this week, per Mark Pope.

DNP in last game.

Averages 11.5 PPG and 4.3 APG.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 16, 2025

Most (myself included) assumed the worst when Butler left the Oklahoma win early. He saw just eight minutes of in-game action against the Sooners before being removed from the game and never returning. The issue is still with his left shoulder, something he’s been dealing with for a few months now, but Pope says this is different than before — which is actually a positive in this case.

“It’s a totally different unique injury [than his previous one] and the imaging was perfect so we’re hopeful that he’ll be back in action [for the NCAA Tournament],” Pope said following Friday’s loss.

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As we saw with Kentucky’s 29-point defeat to Alabama, Butler is a necessary part to this team’s success on both ends of the floor. Without him, the ‘Cats simply aren’t as good. Freshman guard Travis Perry did what he could against the Crimson Tide and performed well (11 points, four rebounds), but nothing compares to the impact Butler brings.

Getting him back is a game-changer and immediately puts Kentucky back in the conversation of making a deep NCAA Tournament run. The ‘Cats will learn their path to a Final Four during tonight’s Selection Show.