Kentucky Wildcats fans have plenty to cheer about this season. With an 8-1 record and strength on both ends of the court, the team is off to a blazing start. But there’s a potential hiccup on the horizon that could disrupt their rhythm. The backcourt duo of Lamont Butler and Otega Oweh has been a driving force behind Kentucky’s success, but with Butler sidelined recently, things might get a little shaky. 

Sure, they pulled off a gutsy win over Gonzaga without him, but can they keep it up if his absence stretches on? The starting point guard turned his ankle during the team’s loss to Clemson. Coach Mark Pope initially called it “a little bit of an issue” but remained hopeful Butler could suit up against Gonzaga. That didn’t happen. 

Instead, Pope revealed after the game, “The training staff had been working like crazy trying to get him back but just couldn’t quite get him healthy enough to be explosive on the floor.” The 22-year-old’s absence was a blow, but Kentucky rallied for an unforgettable comeback win.

During a recent call-in radio show, the HC shared an update that was equal parts cautious and optimistic. “He’s doing great. He’s dying to get back on the floor,” the new coach said. “Still was not doing anything in practice today, but we’re hoping he’s back soon.” He added Saturday’s game against Colgate feels likely, but it will be ‘sooner rather than later.’

And he must because Butler’s absence means a lot for the team. Kentucky’s backcourt has thrived this season thanks to the incredible chemistry between Butler and Oweh. The duo isn’t just scoring points—they’re dominating on defense and turning steals into fast breaks with ease. 

Oweh leads the team with 15.7 points per game on an efficient 52.1% shooting, while Butler averaging 12.9 points, 3.9 assists, and a blistering 55.1% from the field. So, the senior not being on the court, it’s not just the team-up with Oweh that takes a hit—it’s also his shooting. Not to forget, he has been consistently scoring in double digits in six out of eight games he played.

And Coach Pope has been singing praises all season. He knows that the duo’s defensive energy sets the tone for the entire team. “We get energy out of our defense, and that’s really important for a team that’s offensive-minded,” he said back in November. Without Butler, Kentucky loses a key piece of that identity. While Butler’s return remains crucial for Kentucky’s on-court success, the Wildcats are also grappling with a bit of off-court controversy, namely, the AP Poll rankings. 

Duke ranked higher than Mark Pope’s Kentucky despite losing

Somehow, Duke, a team Kentucky beat earlier this season, is ranked #4 while the Wildcats sit at #5. Kentucky’s resume is nothing to scoff at in this new Mark Pope era. They’ve beaten two top-5 teams—Gonzaga and Duke—and their only loss came against a now-ranked #16 Clemson team.

Meanwhile, Duke’s two losses were to Kansas and Kentucky. So why the higher ranking for Duke? Some fans argue it’s a case of narrative over logic, with voters giving Duke the benefit of the doubt despite the Wildcats’ stronger wins. To be fair, Duke’s schedule hasn’t been a cakewalk. They’ve got solid wins over Arizona, Auburn, and Louisville, but still—it’s hard to justify penalizing Kentucky for their single loss.

Kentucky fans are not fixating on it, though. “Just win, and it won’t matter,” is the prevailing sentiment. The Wildcats have plenty of chances. For now, both teams are standing tall in the top 5, proving they’re contenders for the championship. Let’s see how far they can go!