Mark Pope and Lamont Butler shared a special moment following season-ending loss

If you asked Mark Pope to write a book on Lamont Butler, you’d better be prepared for 500 pages of nothing but kind words and plenty of hyperbole.

There’s often a unique bond between head coach and point guard — one that’s slightly different than what a coach shares with the rest of the roster. Kentucky fans got another taste of that this season with Pope and Butler, a duo that helped fuel the Wildcats to its first Sweet 16 since 2019. Kentucky fans also saw a glimpse of how truly special the bond between Pope and Butler was in their one season together.

Shortly after Kentucky’s season came to an end in Indianapolis at the hands of Tennessee, the two were spotted consoling each other in the tunnel on their way back to the locker room.

Mark Pope’s impressive first season comes to an end. pic.twitter.com/n5d0J28tCX

— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) March 29, 2025

Mark Pope consoling Lamont Butler postgame. pic.twitter.com/NPFqmJ2Y5V

— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) March 29, 2025

“I don’t know where you find people like (Butler),” Pope told Tom Leach after the loss. “They’re really rare. And I love him. He is just an incredible, incredible person and leader. He’s playing on one leg and one arm the last two months of the season and still winning huge games and making massive plays. It’s hard to say all the things about him that need to be said.”

That moment captured on video between Pope and Butler was special, but one they never hoped would come. Because it means their time together — not just with each other, but with all of the seniors on this roster — has come to an end. But even if everything went according to plan, the most they would get is another 10 days.

Pope would do anything to have those extra 10 days though.

“This part is hard, it’s really hard,” Pope said. “Because we only get to do this for this short window. We’ve talked about it for the last three months about, for many reasons, dreading the day that this window closes. We get these little windows in our lives to do certain things and be with certain people and be with a special group and it’s brutal when it closes. The only thing that makes it livable is these guys gave everything. They gave everything.”

With respect to his teammates, it’s hard to say anyone gave more than Butler though. He’s been battling a shoulder injury for well over two months now. On multiple occasions, he reinjured it, but every single time, he found a way to will himself back on the hardwood. Through all of that, Butler produced the best individual season of his five-year college career. His final game as a ‘Cat saw him drop 18 points (7-10 FG), six rebounds, and three assists.

Pope prioritized Butler in the transfer portal last offseason for good reason. He was arguably the most impactful player on both ends of the floor all season long as a result. And Pope probably could write a 500-page book about what Butler meant to him and this team in just one season’s worth of basketball.