Lamont Butler

[CrimsonCats]

Yep. There are a few dopes that immediately look at shooting stats and nothing else.

This is a fantastic get …but they don’t see it because the only thing they noticed is that he’s not a shooter.

I like Butler. Having a fierce defender at point guard can be greatly disruptive to an opposing offense and it’s been a while since we had a guy like that.

I like him better as a complementary piece than a starter with who else we’re rumored to be getting though. You have to have a good balance and not just be all defense, and if the plan is for him to start and log significant minutes alongside Williams and Osobor, then it becomes a valid concern that our offense could get bogged down from lack of spacing. He also only shot 60% at the line last year, so that’s a concern in late game situations. I’ll feel better about it if we can match him with a good shooting point guard so we can mix and match at the right times.

 

[katwest]

If the staff wanted him, I want him too. You can’t go wrong with defensive players of the year. We have two of them now and had none last year, so that’s a good thing.

 

[DuhVille1]

Good to know the game hasn't changed in 25-30 years.

Ashton hagans couldn't shoot, he shot free throws okay... I mean, do I really need to go through and list all of the UK point gaurds that brought cringes to me face everytime they started to pull up outside of 10 feet?

 

[JAPierce_2]

Well, you might want to spend some time listening to some other folks then, because literally everyone on Twitter is saying he is not only an elite defender, but others have said he is one of the best they have ever seen defending on the perimeter. Including SDSU fans.

Ok…guess we’ll find out together. What metric are we using to determine that? What is the rating or formula that one uses to decide such a thing? Tramon Mark from Houston transferred in last year, “one of the best defenders in the country”, very solid player…not one of the best defenders in the country. Like I said we’ll see how it shakes out, hope he does great.

 

[Stretch98]

Shooting=Scoring.

Anyone pay attention to how today's game in 2024 is played? If goal is winning games in the 60's we are doomed.

San Diego State played "today"s game" well enough in 2023 to make it to the national title game and Lamont Butler was the straw that stirred the drink. These blanket statements that he can't start at UK (in a season when we are building a roster completely from scratch) are flippin' ridiculous. .

 

[RunninRichie]

Ashton hagans couldn't shoot, he shot free throws okay... I mean, do I really need to go through and list all of the UK point gaurds that brought cringes to me face everytime they started to pull up outside of 10 feet?

Which Lamont Butler does not. Look, great bench player, not sold on him as a starter. Need to see him in action at UK.

 

[tomrain]

I think him and Williams are the grown ass men that we always got bullied by. I cant wait to see them D up on Cals scrawny ass freshmen.

 

[Kyhoward]

Loved Cliff Hawkins but I am sure the man he was guarding did not. He was a pest and shadowed his opponent all over the court, a great player. Guards who can pressure the ball handler initiating the offense are unsung heroes. They are the first line of a good defensive team and I cannot remember the last player at UK that filled this role. Also may be a good model for our freshmen guards to learn from and try to emulate.

Very happy with Pope picking up Lamont Butler. I believe his scoring may pick up in the Zoom offense as there is a lot of cutting and screening for players to shoot the highest percentage shot in the game, the simple layup. Butler is strong and quick and should be able to take advantage in this offense. Of course, he is not an efficient 3-point shooter but his other skills should more than make up for this deficiency. Will be nice and different to have a player that can stop a straight-line drive and an eraser, Amari Williams, near the basket.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Seriously, guys - there are worse things than starting with two conference DPOYs.

And nobody here had even mentioned the kid - rendering all the "we're running out of names" talk totally useless. Good thing Pope isn't relying on the anonymous internet UK gossip for potential recruit names.

That's great and we absolutely need defense but our offense needs at least 4 shooters. There are plenty of defensive guys who can also shoot. We just can't seem to get them. At least not yet.

Also fyi anonymous internet people probably weren't concerned about a guy not even close to a coveted get.

Likely not a starter, but there's a reason he drew high major interest. He's a defensive specialist and arguably the best perimeter defender in America. Also hit the game winning shot vs FAU in the Final 4. Good leader & winner. There is no downside here. Good add.

Likely not a starter? Maybe not, but one day before using about half our allotted ovs, our entire staff jumped on a plane and flew out to get this guy. That doesn't seem like a depth piece to me.

He had interest from high major programs? Lol wow. The saddest part is thats legit one of the best things anyone can say about this pickup.

This weekend seems like it will make or break us. Either way, guys' prices probably just went way up. Hope the deep pockets are ready.

 

[SkyPrince1]

Maybe not. So what? Still a very good get.

And he was a starter for a team that reached the national championship game just year before last. So I think we could live with him starting for us.

He'll start unless Perry beats him out.
Seriously, none of theses portal guys are draft picks.
If UK is out with Smith, Butler is probably next best option.

 

[DuhVille1]

100% reality, Lamont Butler on UK last year... dude doesn't hit 7 three pointers on us in the first half, he is a better on ball defender than anyone we had on our team last year. We had shooters, we had free throw shooters, we had shot blockers.... what we lacked was that one guy who could force the other four guys to beat us.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Ashton hagans couldn't shoot, he shot free throws okay... I mean, do I really need to go through and list all of the UK point gaurds that brought cringes to me face everytime they started to pull up outside of 10 feet?

The fact people compare him to Hagans as a selling point speaks volumes.

If this guy is a starter, we're in trouble. It's really that simple.

 

[sosoblue]

We need good players now and this is a nice pickup. Still have several more slots to fill. I like how the roster is coming together. With the new staff coming on board recruiting should aggressively pick up.

 

[UK90]

Respectfully if I’ve learned nothing else in my time here, it’s that this Matt Jones guy is an absolute clown. I hope you all make note that he said there isn’t a better perimeter defender in America. That is a bold statement, and that’s where unrealistic expectations are born. It’s not fair to the coach or the kid, it’s just a weird take that isn’t even necessary. Kid is a solid player, but the hyperbole is unnecessary, some in our media do it too and it burns me up just as much.

Can you name anyone else in the country who is his conference’s reigning DPOY, three time conf First Team All Defense , and attained those honors entirely due to his stellar perimeter defensive skills?

That’s really not that hyperbolic of a statement by Jones. At least I don’t anyone else out there more decorated for being a perimeter defender.

 

[AJG-15]

Welcome Mr Butler! 4 players committed , 9 to go.

 

[DuhVille1]

Which Lamont Butler does not. Look, great bench player, not sold on him as a starter. Need to see him in action at UK.

Cool, we had shooters last year, great ones, we had great free throw shooters.... what we didn't have was anyone on our team that could stop one guy from single handedly sending us home in the round of 64.

 

[davekersey]

Her: I am really hungry. Let's go out to eat
Him: Sure what are you hungry for
Her: Anything I'm starving.
Him: Is there any Restaurant that you would like to go to
Her: I'll go anywhere you decide
Him: Okay let's go to applebee's
Her: Oh god no not there

You've Heard that Before. haven't you?

I'm seeing an exact parallel from some of you about the current state of recruiting players.

 

[RunninRichie]

Cool, we had shooters last year, great ones, we had great free throw shooters.... what we didn't have was anyone on our team that could stop one guy from single handedly sending us home in the round of 64.

You need both. Can't be onesided either way. As we saw last year.

 

[KAB Cats]

That's great and we absolutely need defense but our offense needs at least 4 shooters. There are plenty of defensive guys who can also shoot. We just can't seem to get them. At least not yet.

Also fyi anonymous internet people probably weren't concerned about a guy not even close to a coveted get.



Likely not a starter? Maybe not, but one day before using about half our allotted ovs, our entire staff jumped on a plane and flew out to get this guy. That doesn't seem like a depth piece to me.

He had interest from high major programs? Lol wow. The saddest part is thats legit one of the best things anyone can say about this pickup.

This weekend seems like it will make or break us. Either way, guys' prices probably just went way up. Hope the deep pockets are ready.

I don't call people names on the internet often. Like at all. But you're an idiot.

Yes, you do travel -- even to meet role guys. Secondly, at this point he is our only point guard, which is better than having no point guard. Thirdly, the high majors involved also include schools such as Duke. And the reason they are interested is because he's arguably the best perimeter defender in America.

We have 10 open roster spots, son. Not all of them should or will be All-Americans. That's how you build depth. And that's really ****ing important. Don't quote me again. You either lack awareness or have some other agenda, but this is a good add -- an elite defender with Final 4 experience.

 

[JAPierce_2]

Can you name anyone else in the country who is his conference’s reigning DPOY, three time First Team All Defense, and attained those honors entirely due to his stellar perimeter defensive skills?

That’s really not that hyperbolic of a statement by Jones. At least I doubt there’s anyone else out there more decorated for being a perimeter defender.

No sir I haven’t done the research, but like I said I guess we’ll find out together, it’ll be fun. Hope the best for the kid.

 

[susan2361]

In an offensive world I’m not sure this is a great thing

 

[ib4ky]

Lamont Butler, think of an older, more experienced and better defensive DJ Wagner (stats wise) with a ton of tourney experience!!!

 

[drbubba]

He’s not shooter, but he’s a superb defensive player and solid at everything else. He was an integral part of their 23 final four team.

This is a very good get.

He played in a final 4? I never want to hear any griping about him!

 

[dl51344]

Question for those who don't like this recruit, which freshman with any ranking would you take ahead of him? For me, none.

 

[Kyhoward]

Hey man, I love the pickup, just don't think he should start. Just my opinion which means nothing.

I like players with good Defensive skills and experience in my starting lineup!
Coach Pope will hopefully have several guards with varying skill sets to mix and match against our opponents next season.

 

[1war]

The fact people compare him to Hagans as a selling point speaks volumes.

If this guy is a starter, we're in trouble. It's really that simple.

Butler was the starting PG on a team that went to the National Championship game in 2023, Hagans didn’t do that. He’s already proven that a team can win big with him as the starting point guard.

 

[ib4ky]

Ashton hagans couldn't shoot, he shot free throws okay... I mean, do I really need to go through and list all of the UK point gaurds that brought cringes to me face everytime they started to pull up outside of 10 feet?

Isiah Brickso

 

[BigRedMachineBigBlueNation]

this better be a bench piece or UK Is in trouble

Don’t we have 5 players visiting today?

 

[BigRedMachineBigBlueNation]

Don’t know much about this kid other than the fact that he was in a final four with San Diego State. ? Anybody got info?

 

[SkyPrince1]

The fact people compare him to Hagans as a selling point speaks volumes.

If this guy is a starter, we're in trouble. It's really that simple.

Who's your guy in the portal at PG?
Wasn't aware that the portal was loaded with really good PG's this year.
If you really want to be in trouble start Mahaney at PG.

 

[susan2361]

As far as the whole staff going to Vegas...a flight takes time...to get there, time spent there and coming back. Maybe the reason they all went is because they could use the down time on the flight to PLAN and TALK ABOUT things like they're strategy, etc. After all the coaching staff hasn't been complete for very long and that's valuable time. I try to think of positive things. Maybe they are checking out other possibilities either there or on the way. They could also be PLANNING for the group of recruits coming for visits this weekend. We, as a fanbase, DON'T know everything that Coach Pope is doing. I'm staying calm because the man has been working his butt off and deserves the benefit of the doubt...until he give us a reason to NOT give it to him.

GO BIG BLUE!!!💙💙💙

 

[dl51344]

It is going to be so good having a team of men on the floor next year.

 

[bigblue1971]

Getting some veteran experience is a refreshing change.

 

[MidseasonTweak]

In an offensive world I’m not sure this is a great thing

We were an offensive team last season and didn't win a tourney game.

We need a defender, someone like this who can come off the bench create headaches for opposing teams.

This is a really good pick up, no other way of putting it.

 

[LXWildcat]

Pope could bring in Michael Jordan and some UK fans would find a way to complain. Jesus Christ let Pope build his roster, we wanted to get older and more experienced, and Pope is doing just that

 

[NC Weasel]

We didn't talk to kid, Pope did. I know he wants kids that want to be here and want to win. Maybe the kid convinced Coach he needs to be part of this?

 

[bigblueinsanity]

I don't call people names on the internet often. Like at all. But you're an idiot.

Yes, you do travel -- even to meet role guys. Secondly, at this point he is our only point guard, which is better than having no point guard. Thirdly, the high majors involved also include schools such as Duke. And the reason they are interested is because he's arguably the best perimeter defender in America.

We have 10 open roster spots, son. Not all of them should or will be All-Americans. That's how you build depth. And that's really ****ing important. Don't quote me again. You either lack awareness or have some other agenda, but this is a good add -- an elite defender with Final 4 experience.

I must've missed where Duke and company wanted him. Whos list was he on? He wasn't even on any national analyst radar. He didn't even make a splash on entering.

Butler was the starting PG on a team that went to the National Championship game in 2023, Hagans didn’t do that. He’s already proven that a team can win big with him as the starting point guard.

Oh great. Since he carries the team they must've went back again last year. Right?

Btw I watched them in the yum. Noone on that team had any high level offensive skills. Elite defense though and toughness. That's great but a weird fit for what we're told pope wants to do.

Who's your guy in the portal at PG?
Wasn't aware that the portal was loaded with really good PG's this year.
If you really want to be in trouble start Mahaney at PG.

Yes it was actually. We just aren't getting them. Jones blamed losing Davis to Arkansas on the fans and info leaking. Nothing is that quiet when it comes to high level targets. Then apparently another top target UK wouldn't accept his credits which is ridiculous in this day and age of scholastics especially athletes.

This guy better hire a shooting coach and live in the gym from now till then.

 

[BassProCat]

 

[GoB!gBlue]

The same people complaining about this are the probably the ones who said Reed Sheppard will never make it, can't shoot, too slow, etc...In other words know nothings.

 

[KAB Cats]

I must've missed where Duke and company wanted him. Whos list was he on? He wasn't even on any national analyst radar. He didn't even make a splash on entering.



Oh great. Since he carries the team they must've went back again last year. Right?

Btw I watched them in the yum. Noone on that team had any high level offensive skills. Elite defense though and toughness. That's great but a weird fit for what we're told pope wants to do.



Yes it was actually. We just aren't getting them. Jones blamed losing Davis to Arkansas on the fans and info leaking. Nothing is that quiet when it comes to high level targets. Then apparently another top target UK wouldn't accept his credits which is ridiculous in this day and age of scholastics especially athletes.

This guy better hire a shooting coach and live in the gym from now till then.

Enjoy