Louisville coach Pat Kelsey admits seeing Kentucky star Lamont Butler in his "nightmares" post loss against state rival
Louisville Cardinals coach Pat Kelsey didn’t hold back in praising Lamont Butler’s impact after the Kentucky Wildcats guard was instrumental with 33 points in Kentucky's victory at the Rupp Arena.
The No. 4-ranked Wildcats defeated the Louisville Cardinals 93-85 on Saturday (Dec. 14). Kelsey even admitted that the star guard has haunted him since their past encounters.
Pat Kelsey joined the Louisville Cardinals in March after agreeing to a five-year deal. The Cardinals have a 6-5 record to start their season. Kentucky guard Lamont Butler has averaged 15.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and shot 60.8 percent from the floor this season.
"Lamont Butler was magnificent,” Kelsey said. “I still see that kid in my nightmares because we played against him when I was at College of Charleston, and he was with San Diego State. We had an epic first-round battle in March 2023."
In that 2023 matchup, Butler helped San Diego State secure a defensive 63-57 win by registering seven points (five assists, two rebounds). Against Louisville on Saturday (Dec. 14), the Wildcats star showcased his offensive prowess by scoring an impressive 33 points, dishing out six assists and grabbing three rebounds.
Despite nursing an ankle injury, Butler delivered a stellar performance, much to the frustration of Pat Kelsey and the Cardinals.
“He’s just a warrior, a winner,” Kelsey said. “People were questioning if he’d play because of his injury, but I knew he’d suit up. He’s a stone-cold killer."
"He made six three-pointers tonight, nearly his total for the season. Every time we had momentum, he stopped it with a big shot.”
Lamont Butler’s performance solidified his reputation as one of college basketball’s elite guards. Even under physical duress, his ability to rise to the occasion proved crucial for Kentucky’s victory in this heated rivalry.
The Louisville Cardinals have lost four of their last five games, and their momentum hit another roadblock against their fierce rivals, the Kentucky Wildcats. Lamont Butler's outstanding 33-point performance largely engineered the Wildcats's triumph.
Pat Kelsey says Louisville Cardinals focused on basics during extended layoff
Pat Kelsey took advantage of a rare break in their schedule to reset and refocus. Kelsey believes the extended layoff offered an invaluable opportunity for the team to rediscover its identity amidst roster adjustments and depth challenges.
“When you have an opportunity like this, where you have a longer layoff, you can kind of go back to your basics,” Kelsey said.
“With the way our roster is right now, and our depth is more limited, it’s important to keep our guys fresh this time of year."
The Cardinals have faced hurdles in recent weeks, from lineup changes to grueling games against formidable opponents.
This downtime has allowed Pat Kelsey and the coaching staff to focus on refining fundamentals, ensuring the players are physically and mentally prepared for the critical games ahead.
"These last couple of weeks have been kind of a ‘rediscovery’ of who we are," Kelsey said. "Because of the changes on our roster, and I think our guys have done a really, really good job of that.”
Given the team’s limited depth, Coach Kelsey emphasized conditioning and recovery. The coaching staff has worked diligently to balance intense practice sessions and ensure players remain fresh.
This approach aims to prevent fatigue from becoming a factor during the season's closing stretch.
Looking forward, the Cardinals hope this period of recalibration pays off as they face crucial matchups in the coming weeks. With conference play heating up, every game tests their ability to execute under pressure.