Head coach Mark Pope provided a little more insight on Lamont Butler and his injury status. Butler injured his ankle playing against Clemson and has yet to return to the lineup. He has been a game-time decision each game since but has yet to get the clearance to play. Kentucky is without both main point guards, Butler and Kerr Kriisa, and will need Butler in the rivalry game against Lousiville.
"“Lamont was on the court a little yesterday. He didn’t do anything with us but he was on the court a little bit yesterday and we’ll kind of see how it goes today. We’ll try to roll him out there and I’d love to have him. He really helps us. I just don’t know if he’s going to be quite ready.”"Mark Pope
This doesn't sound all that optimistic from Pope, but he also had a couple of comments that make many think that it could still go either way. When asked about maybe Otega Oweh getting some reps at the point guard position, he replied, "I'd still like to have Lamont play."
Pope listed Otega Oweh as another option to play some PG Saturday.
— Aaron Gershon (@agershon99) December 13, 2024
"I'd still like Lamont to play."
The last Kentucky game against Colgate did not give fans much optimism for another game without a point guard. While things seemed to go well with Jaxson Robinson helping at the point to start the game, as soon as the lineup was changed for subs, the game got messy and ugly. They let a low-level Colgate team stay in the game. The freshman point guard, Travis Perry, did not seem ready and struggled to set or execute the offense.
It sounds like Mark Pope will make this decision again at game time. They will have to test it again tomorrow before the Louisville game and decide then if he can give it a go. The goal is still that they have Butler for the long-term and not risk a further injury in a one-game decision. While they need him badly for Louisville, the decision needs to be focused on the rest of the season.