Kentucky star guaranteeing a win over Tennessee will prove to be a big mistake

For the third time this season, the Tennessee Vols and Kentucky Wildcats are set to face off. This time, though, it's in the Sweet Sixteen with a trip to the Elite Eight on the line. Could this be one of the biggest games in program history?

We don't want to be overly dramatic, but it's up there. Taking down the Wildcats to move on to the Elite Eight, after losing to UK twice already this season, would be nothing short of amazing. However, Kentucky star Lamont Butler doesn't see it happening.

Not long after Kentucky took down Illinois in the second round to set up Friday's matchup with the Vols, Butler didn't hesitate in offering up quite the prediction. That's right, he said his team will be ready to end Tennessee's season, guaranteeing a win. Talk about making this game even spicier:

Kentucky star Lamont Butler has guaranteed a win over Tennessee

Rick Barnes needs to print out this article, highlight the quotes and hand deliver it to every single person in the locker room. Hey Chaz Lanier and Zakai Zeigler, Butler is coming for your lunch money and he's going to add guac for the extra charge with it. What are you going to do about it?

Butler is poking the bear here and the Vols are going to be ready to respond. Think they need extra motivation for this one? Not at all. Kentucky took down Tennessee this campaign both in Lexington and in Knoxville. Mark Pope and his guys were able to land some serious haymakers on Barnes.

However, there's one more chapter on the way for the 2024-25 season between these two heavyweights. Tennessee knows Kentucky is a talented team and that they no question have what it takes to take them down again. However, Zeigler, Lanier and the rest of the UT playmakers will now be ready to make Butler eat his words.