The 2024 part of the 2024-2025 season is almost over, and so is non-conference play. The question that’s been rolling around lately is, “Who are the most important players to the success of Kentucky basketball?” This is harder than in years past because it is important for this team to play as a team and not just 5-star individuals. Take a player out of the puzzle; the whole thing seems to cave in.

College analytics expert Evan Miyakawa according to his data has list this way but below mine is a bit different:

Ranking the most important pieces to success for the Kentucky Wildcats in 2024-2025

1. Lamont Butler

Butler has proven to be essential in so many ways. Ohio State exposed many things about the Kentucky Wildcats and showed how to disrupt their flow. I felt none bigger than how they could get Butler to switch off Thorton. They screened and screened until Butler was moved out of the way, and then they attacked the basket. Butler is a defensive nightmare for other teams, but he also executes the offense. Without Kriisa, he’s even more valuable because the drop-off after Butler is even more dramatic.

2. Andrew Carr

This may truly be an eye test thing, but the offense works light years better with Carr in the game than when he is not. He is the big one that I trust the most in the game, and he finds ways to score. We’d love to see a little more rim protection from him on the defensive end, and hopefully, we will. If the Wildcats are going on a run, I’d bet Carr is in the game.