Gonzaga Basketball: 3 keys to big neutral site matchup with Kentucky Wildcats

1. Take advantage of Kentucky’s PG situation

Gonzaga has to monitor many players, but the most important may be Lamont Butler, the starting point guard and transfer from San Diego State, where he was the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year.

Through eight games, the senior guard is averaging 12.9 ppg and 3.9 apg, shooting 55% from the field. His last five outings were all in double figures, including 16 points against Clemson. However, an ankle injury suffered this week has his status in question for the matchup with Gonzaga.

That’s huge for the Bulldogs because one of the key matchups is Butler and Ryan Nembhard, who leads the nation in passing at nearly 11 apg. Butler is one of the best perimeter defenders in the country, and if he stops Nembhard in his tracks, Gonzaga’s chances of winning will be hurt.

But with Butler not at 100%, the Bulldogs can test his ankle by running screens every play and even having Nembhard look to score more instead of being passive. If he’s unable to go, Kentucky will have to play Kerr Kriisa for extended minutes, and he’s nowhere near the same caliber of defender as Butler. 

It’s the big storyline to watch; this one favors Gonzaga right now.