Mississippi State Coach Likes the Vibe UK has Going On

Lamont Butler (Vicky Graff Photo)

Going into tonight’s game at Mississippi State, Kentucky point guard Lamont Butler has emerged as one of the Southeastern Conference’s best players.

He’s fourth in the SEC in field goal percentage at 57 percent and fifth in assists at 4.3 per game. While Butler is not known as an elite outside shooter, he’s found a way to get into the planet to score at times but he’s also shown the ability to hit key shots consistently from the outside.

“Out front, they’ve got big strong guards. It starts with Butler as the head of the snake defensively and the experience and the size he brings to the table,” Mississippi State coach Chris Jans said.

Butler led the Wildcats with 20 points, his eighth double-figure game of the season and second game with at least 20, in Tuesday’s loss at Georgia. But he also had a season-high four steals, his third straight game with at least three thefts. He’s tied with Otega Oweh for the team lead in steals with 24.

While Kentucky’s high-scoring offense has gotten much attention this year, Jans has liked what he’s seen from the UK defense.

“They’ve got tremendous size around the basket with great shot-blocking ability as well. Their size all the way around can make up for any technique deficiencies that they may have on a possession or two. They’re obviously a very good basketball team,” Jans said.

The Mississippi State coach says the Wildcats run their offense “with so much confidence and so much pace” that makes them explosive.

“They know they’ve got a great buy-in with their team. They believe in what they’re doing. They play together, and they share the basketball at a high, high level. Obviously, they’re very skilled and talented, but more importantly, they play together,” Jans said.

They also look great when the 3-point shots are falling. In wins over Duke, Florida, and Louisville, UK hit over 40 percent from 3. In losses to Clemson, Ohio State, and Georgia the Cats shot under 26 percent from 3 against physical defensive pressure.

“Koby Brea has got to be one of the top two or three shooters in the country. He does it with size and he can do it off the catch and the bounce. They just got nice pieces that complement one another,” Jans said. “They have got everything you want. They got experience, they got size, they got shooting, they got guys that can get downhill. They seem to like each other, they seem to play for each other.

“They got a new coach, energy, vibe going on. Which sometimes is a spark to everybody and I think that’s kinda what’s going on over there.”