On Friday, No. 2 seed Tennessee and No. 3 seed Kentucky will face off in one of the most anticipated games of the Sweet 16 and even the entire NCAA Tournament. Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes praised Wildcats standout Lamont Butler ahead of their match-up.
Earlier this year, when Kentucky went on the road to beat Tennessee, they did so without their star player. However, Barnes knows Butler well and knows what he brings to the table. What did he say about the Kentucky player ahead of the Sweet 16 matchup?
Rick Barnes Praises Kentucky’s Lamont Butler Ahead of Sweet 16 Matchup
This is the third time this season that Kentucky and Tennessee are playing each other, and this time, coincidentally, has the most on the line. Despite all the times these teams have played each other, this is Tennessee’s first time meeting Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament, and a trip to the Elite Eight is on the line.
For Barnes, this could be his one legitimate and real chance to get the Volunteers to the Final Four. However, to do so, he has to go through another one of the top teams in college basketball, Kentucky. The narrative that precedes Barnes in March is certainly not a good one.
To make matters worse, Barnes has to face off with the Kentucky team that Tennessee has played twice already this season and lost both games. Now, Kentucky is healthier with Butler back, and this just adds more pressure to the Vols, who are searching for their first win this year over the Wildcats.
Rick Barnes talks about the difference Lamont Butler makes when he is on the floor pic.twitter.com/jbAmkqhpng
— Dylan Ballard (@DylanBallard_UK) February 12, 2025
“He’s a terrific player. I love the way he plays,” Barnes spoke about Butler. “And he’s obviously been there before. He knows what it’s like this time of year to play basketball. But he brings a really good defensive element to them, and he knows what he’s doing on the offensive end. Physicality. He brings physicality.”
After missing the first time these two teams played in Knoxville, Butler is back and much healthier than he was in the second matchup between Tennessee and Kentucky. This could spell bad news for Tennessee. Kentucky also has only lost once in the last 10 games that Butler has played in.
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Regardless of how the game plays out for Kentucky or Tennessee, it’s expected that Butler will play a big reason in the outcome. Tennessee has a lot to prepare for, especially with their first time coming against a fully healthy Butler.
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