Butler earns top Aggie honor
Utah Statesman: Winning the way you guys did on Senior night, is that a good way to leave the Spectrum?
Cardell Butler: Oh, yeah. I think in the back of my head, I wasn’t even worried about the plays, I was just worried about playing and having fun. This is my last night here so I’ve got to go out with a bang.
US: It seemed like Thursday against Riverside, when the team was having trouble making some free throws, you wanted to be the one taking them. Did you just know you weren’t going to miss?
CB: That’s just because I’ve been in that situation a few times last year. I just told myself, next time I get the ball and get fouled, I’m going to make my free throws.
US: Riverside isn’t one of the best teams in the Big West, but how big was that game for you guys to win, especially after coming off a big road loss to Pacific?
CB: That was a big win, because when teams win several games in a row and then lose, they tend to lose again. It’s like they have a hangover after a loss like that. And we did have a hangover, because we didn’t guard. They shot 50 percent and nobody shoots 50 percent in here.
US: We know your mom was a big surprise and inspiration for you, but did she say something that gave you a spark?
CB: Nope, she just smiled at me. I was a little worried because I thought she was coming, but she told me she couldn’t. Then I saw her in the tunnel, just smiling, and that’s all I needed, I’m going to have a good game.
US: You won this honor three times previous to this one, what keeps you so consistent?
CB: Just making things happen for the team. This is a good ball club, there are things we try to get done. If things aren’t going our way, then I try and make things happen, not just offensively but defensively.
US: In the game against Riverside when it looked like you were just picking up the whole team and putting them on your shoulders, do you take pride in being able to and wanting to carry the team?
CB: Yeah, it’s not that I don’t have confidence in the other players. I’m just comfortable. It was really big pressure putting the ball in the hoop, but that is what I like. I’m glad I get put in those types of situations.
US: What is running through your mind when you’re at the free-throw line and you need to make both shots to ensure a victory for your team?
CB: I’m out to make the free throws. If you tend to think about too much stuff, then you’ll miss the shot. Even good shooters miss shots, but I was just telling myself I was going to make it.
US: Coming to the end of your career as an Aggie basketball player, what are some things that you enjoyed most about your time here playing basketball?
CB: The fans, that’s the thing I enjoyed the most. They don’t only show you love on the court, but they show you love off the court. That’s never happened to me before.
US: What are some things that you are really going to miss after the end of this season?
CB: My whole college career, period. All the people that helped me, not just athletically but academically, too. So much stuff has gone on up here that I liked, I’m probably going to miss Logan a little bit, not a lot, but a little bit.
US: What has been your biggest struggle this season?
CB: My grandfather died in September, and a couple weeks later my cousin died. That was real hard, actually. I didn’t even want to play basketball. I had my teammates and my coaches right behind me. I don’t know how I dealt with it, but I did, though. I really didn’t let anyone else know what was going on, it was just in our team. I didn’t want it to get outside and blown out of proportion. My teammates told me if there was anything I needed, I could just call them.
US: Kissing the floor at mid-court [at the end of the Cal State Fullerton game], is that a happy ending for you?
CB: Definitely, that is a really good ending because that’s all for college basketball, that’s it, no more college basketball. I’m glad I did it.
US: After this season many of us aren’t going to see Cardell Butler anywhere, any predictions on where you’ll be or what you’ll be doing?
CB: First thing is I’m going to get my diploma, no matter how long it takes. If I have to come back in the summer or the fall, I’m going to graduate. I’m hoping to go to the NBA. That’s my next goal. I have to fine-tune a few things on my body and in my game.
-kcaustin@cc.usu.edu