If you weren’t already amped up enough about it being Selection Sunday and finding out where to ‘Cats will be headed for the big dance, you will be now. According to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, Lamont Butler will be available for Kentucky’s first game in the NCAA Tournament.

He put out a tweet early Sunday morning announcing the news, and it hit harder than your coffee ever could.

Kentucky's Lamont Butler (shoulder) will be available for the Wildcats' first NCAA Tournament game this week, per Mark Pope.

DNP in last game.

Averages 11.5 PPG and 4.3 APG.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 16, 2025

After missing Friday night’s game against Oklahoma, you could feel the drop off without his presence in running the offense. So much as to when the team nearly gave up a double-digit lead in the final minutes before Otega Oweh hit another game-winner against the Sooners. Yes, another one. It was magical for a moment. You can see our courtside POV from it right here if you haven’t already.

Once Butler was sidelined for the remainder of the game against Oklahoma, it felt like the mindset around the fanbase was to just hold him out through the rest of their Nashville (SEC Tournament) trip and hope he can come back as some point in the NCAA Tournament. Many didn’t like their chances of beating Alabama with or without a Lamont Butler, so holding him out for when it’s time to win or your season ends (NCAAT) felt right, and that’s what they did.

The point guard has now missed 9 of Kentucky’s 33 games this year.

Coach Pope told @tomleachKY pregame that they got the "best possible news" on Lamont Butler this morning & that the freshman Travis Perry will get the start at guard. Catch the rest of the interview on the UK Sports Network Pregame show! pic.twitter.com/7PRmpPylwe

— UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) March 15, 2025

Thankfully, we now have a coach who gets us injury updates super quick, so on Friday before the Quarterfinals matchup with the Crimson Tide, we were told the staff received great news about Lamont Butler moving forward despite being out that night.

Today we will be headed to cover the team’s watch party for the NCAA Selection Show, finding out when and where this team will be taken for March Madness. Follow along on our social media’s to find out instantaneously once the team finds out themself.

Also, we spoke to the team right after their exit from the SEC Tournament on Friday night, frustrated and turning their eyes towards Selection Sunday.

Did you enjoy this article? If so, you can stay connected with the growing Cats Coverage site by following them on Facebook or X/Twitter to never miss another post!