Lamont Butler sees key similarity in Kentucky compared to his San Diego State team that made Final Four

Lamont Butler knows a thing or two about what it takes to win March.

His buzzer-beater in the 2023 Final Four lifted San Diego State past Florida Atlantic, allowing the Aztecs to reach the national championship for the first time in school history. The veteran point guard has appeared in 11 NCAA Tournament games throughout his five-year college career and will embark on his 12th (and hopefully a few more after that) this Friday against 14-seed Troy.

There are a couple of players on this Kentucky roster with postseason experience aside from Butler. Ansley Almonor was on the 16-seed Fairleigh Dickinson squad that upset top-seeded Purdue in the opening round in 2023. Koby Brea and Dayton made it to the second round in 2024. However, Butler is the only player on the roster who truly knows what it takes to go on a deep run on the biggest stage.

“Just enjoy the moment, honestly,” Butler said Sunday when asked what he’ll tell his teammates about the NCAA Tournament. “March Madness is something that we all dream of. So, you know, not to be in a panic, just enjoy the moment. Play free, play fun, play for each other. And that’s gonna be my main message to everybody, for sure.”

Butler, who is expected to suit up in the postseason despite his shoulder injury, has played some of his best basketball in March. He was a starter in 10 of those previous 11 NCAA Tournament games, posting double-figure scoring marks in four of them. Butler went for 18 points in a win over 6-seed Creighton in 2023. He recorded 15 points, four assists, four steals, and three rebounds in a win over 12-seed UAB in 2024. Against 13-seed Furman in 2023, his stat line consisted of 12 points, six rebounds, six assists, and two steals. His four points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals in 2023 helped upset 1-seed Alabama.

Those San Diego State teams Butler played on were special, in part because of how long they all played together and the chemistry they created along the way. And while this Kentucky team is made up entirely of new players (with constant injuries complicating the situation even more), Butler says the connection they’ve all quickly created rivals what he experienced across four full years at SDSU.

“One thing I’ll say that’s similar is the bond that we have with each other,” Butler said. “I feel like San Diego State that year (in 2023), we had a group so close together. We played for a long time together, but we had a great bond. But, you know, in this short time here at Kentucky, we’re really brothers now, so I think that’s really gonna take us far in this tournament.”

Butler foresees a lengthy run for the Wildcats in the NCAA Tournament. During his Selection Sunday interview with the media after Kentucky claimed a 3-seed, he repeated the phrase “these next six games” multiple times. He’s setting his expectations high, something he’s earned the ability to do given his track record. There might just be another magical March moment on the horizon, too.

“Man, I hope so. I hope so,” he said with a smile. “Let’s find out.”

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