"I see that kid in my nightmares": Louisville HC on Kentucky star Lamont Butler after career high performance 

Kentucky Wildcats sophomore guard Lamont Butler had a career-high 33 points in their 95-83 victory over the Louisville Cardinals on Saturday. Louisville coach Pat Kelsey praised Butler’s performance after the game.

Butler, who missed the previous two games due to an ankle injury, came back with a vengeance, shooting 100% from the field and from 3-point range to lead the No. 5 Wildcats to a victory against their in-state rival in the Battle of the Bluegrass.

"Lamont Butler was magnificent," Pat Kelsey said postgame. "I still see that kid in my nightmares because we played against him when I was the head coach of the College of Charleston and he was the point guard at San Diego State ... he was just an absolute warrior. He’s a winner."

"He's been out the last couple of games. People were talking about whether he's going to play or not, I said 'That cat is playing. You can mark that one down.' He is a stone cold killer and a really good player."

Lamont Butler's stats vs. Louisville (Dec. 14)

Before the Kentucky-Louisville game at Rupp Arena, the Wildcats fans were not even sure if Lamont Butler would be available to play due to injury.

The 6-foot-2 guard hurt his ankle in Kentucky's only loss of the season against Clemson in the ACC-SEC challenge and missed the next two games as a result. Despite the injury concerns, Butler made sure to make his presence felt in the rivalry matchup and was named the game's Most Valuable Player.

Butler shot a perfect 10-for-10 from the field, including 6-for-6 from 3-point range, for 33 points. He also added 3 rebounds and 6 assists in the win, which moved Kentucky to 10-1 on the season.

Here is Lamont Butler's full stat line:

• 32 minutes played
• 33 points
• 3 rebounds
• 6 assists
• 0 blocks
• 0 steals
• 3 turnovers
• 10-10 FG
• 6-6 3PT
• 7-12 FT

His 100% field goal accuracy while scoring over 30 points was a rare feat, accomplished by only one other player in the SEC in the past two decades, per ESPN.

Before the game turned out to be quite prescient as Butler stole the show in the Bluegrass rivalry, Kentucky coach Mark Pope's said:

"He’s been that way his whole career. He’s got better and better and better and we’re gonna see some of the some of the beauty,"

Lamont Butler and Kentucky will fly to New York next to face Ohio State on Dec. 21 in the CBS Sports Classic.