We once found ourselves in a state of uncertainty regarding Lamont Butler's participation against Louisville. Little did we know, his presence turned out to be a game-changer. The Kentucky point guard showcased extraordinary skills against the Cards, leaving his head coach in awe.

Mark Pope's Praise for Lamont Butler

"Unbelievable credit to him. My goodness what an incredible — Lamont Butler just delivered one of the most remarkable performances in the history of this super special game," Mark Pope exclaimed. "All-time. The numbers speak for themselves. The way he stepped up and performed backs it up… I'm immensely proud of him."

Offensive Prowess of Lamont Butler

Lamont Butler went an astonishing 10-10 from the floor, ranking third on Kentucky's all-time list for most makes without a miss. His six made three-pointers tied a record for a Wildcat in this rivalry against Louisville. His only blemish was a 7-12 performance from the free throw line. Had he made a few more, he would have held the record for the most points by a Wildcat against Louisville. His 33 points were just one shy of the record set by Derrick Miller in 1988.

Defensive Impact of Lamont Butler

Not only was Butler a scoring machine, but he also made significant contributions on the defensive end. His tenacious defense disrupted Louisville's offensive rhythm and forced them into difficult shots. His presence on the court gave Kentucky a much-needed boost on both ends of the floor.

Tyrese Maxey's Performance

In 2019, when Chris Mack took UofL to No. 1 in the AP Poll, the third-ranked Cards faced off against the Wildcats at Rupp Arena. It was a closely contested game that went into overtime. Nick Richards had some big plays down the stretch, and Ashton Hagans ended the game with a powerful dunk. However, it was Tyrese Maxey who emerged as the best player on the floor. The freshman knocked down 4-5 three-point attempts and grabbed seven rebounds, finishing with a 27-point performance in the 78-70 overtime win.

Tyler Ulis' Dominance

During the John Calipari era, Tyler Ulis might be the player who played best against Louisville. In the infamous 'bloody eye' game, he came off the bench and scored a team-high 14 points in the win between top-five foes. The following year, he had 21 points and 8 assists in a two-point win at Rupp Arena. Ulis' ability to control the game and make key plays made him a standout against the Cards.

The 2012 Kentucky Wildcats

While Lamont Butler had an outstanding offensive performance, Anthony Davis clearly holds the record for the best defensive game by a Kentucky Wildcat in this rivalry. In the Final Four in New Orleans, the stakes were at their highest. Davis had 18 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots in the 69-61 win. In the previous matchup that season, he had 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 blocks, but Michael Kidd-Gilchrist stole the show with 24 points and 19 rebounds.

Josh Harrelson's Jorts and Performance

On John Calipari's second team, there was a perceived gap in the middle of the paint when Enes Kanter was declared ineligible by the NCAA. Instead, they had Josh Harrelson, who became infamous for wearing Jorts during his visit to Lexington. In the first rivalry game at the Yum! Center, Jorts was unstoppable. The 6-10 center made 10-12 shots, including a three-pointer, to score 23 points and grab 14 rebounds in a 15-point win over Louisville.

DeMarcus Cousins' Impact

We all remember DeMarcus Cousins' memorable moment when he gave Jared Swopshire a little something-something. But what often gets overlooked is that he had 18 points and 18 rebounds in that win. Eighteen rebounds! His presence in the paint was a force to be reckoned with.

Patrick Sparks' Epic Comeback

The 2004 matchup at Freedom Hall was one of the most memorable Kentucky-Louisville games. Kentucky only scored 16 points in the first half, setting the stage for one of the largest comebacks in school history. Patrick Sparks had 15 of his 25 points in the second half and his final three won the game for the Wildcats. Off an out-of-bounds play, Sparks got Ellis Myles into the air with a pump fake and then drew a foul on a three-point attempt. To this day, Louisville fans still debate whether Sparks walked before the foul. He sank all three free throws to secure a 60-58 victory.

Tony Delk's Contribution

During the historic 1996 National Championship season, Mark Pope and Tony Delk combined to score 32 points in an 89-66 win over the Cards. Delk had 30 of them behind a 10-17 night from the field, including four three-point makes. His scoring ability and clutch plays were crucial in securing the victory.

Rex Chapman's Dunk on Kenny Payne

Muhammad Ali was in the stands to witness Kenny Payne getting put on a poster. That poster now adorns the Kentucky facility, where players often have fun teasing the longtime Kentucky assistant coach. Rex Chapman had 26 points in the blowout victory. The following year, Louisville gave the top-ranked team a run for their money, but Kentucky prevailed by a single point. Chapman had 21 points in that win over the Cards.