Collin Chandler had his 'best night of the season by far' in surprise minutes vs. Tennessee

Kentucky’s Collin Chandler has played more than 10 minutes in a game only six times this season, four happening before December. The freshman guard, who didn’t play basketball for two full years due to a mission trip until he arrived at UK over the summer, fell out of the rotation once the competition level began to ramp up.

But one of those 10-plus minute games came Tuesday night in Knoxville. It was just the third SEC game he’s appeared in for Kentucky and the first time with real playing time. Due to injuries impacting Lamont Butler and Andrew Carr, head coach Mark Pope had no choice but to look down his bench against the No. 8 Tennessee Volunteers.

So he lobbed Chandler 15 extremely important minutes on the road in a massive conference rivalry game. Not only did Chandler play confident basketball, but he made winning plays on both ends of the floor

“I thought Collin Chandler’s minutes in the backcourt were massively important for us tonight,” Pope said after Kentucky’s 78-73 win.

Chandler’s box score stats don’t stand out: zero points (0-1 3PT), two rebounds, one assist, one turnover, and two fouls in his 15 minutes. He finished -1 in the plus/minus department. But that lone assist to Ansley Almonor for a three-pointer midway through the first half had some sauce (and calmness) to it. Chandler played several offensive possessions where his ball movement generated clean looks for the ‘Cats.

You have to be willing and able to use Tennessee's defensive pressure against them. It took Kentucky some time to warm up to the idea, but they were able to execute several times.

Great job by Collin Chandler here on the reject. Great pass. Great shot by Ansley Almonor. pic.twitter.com/W6rFu2T37U

— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) January 29, 2025

But his defense is what we’re still talking about the day after.

The 6-foot-5 Chandler showed moments of high potential on that end of the floor. Granted, Tennessee isn’t the greatest offensive unit in the country, but he had the task multiple times of having to chase the sharpshooting Chaz Lanier around the floor. He more than held his own. Even against bigger players, he was using his “Championship Chest” to deter points.

Chandler never panicked and remained on his feet whenever matched up on defense.

Coach Pope has talked a lot about using your "Championship Chest." This clip, featuring Collin Chandler, showcases exactly what that means.

Chandler played excellent defense in his 15+ minutes of play. Physical in the post here. Walls up. Doesn't foul. Big time defense! pic.twitter.com/38ltCuddAG

— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) January 29, 2025

Here is more great defense by Collin Chandler.

Check out the pure hustle. This is what you want to see from your guy chasing a shooter like #2 Lanier. Great chase. Great contest.

Otega Oweh with a big time rebound! pic.twitter.com/IL15AQ1rVT

— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) January 29, 2025

“Collin Chandler had his best night of the season by far. This kid is incredibly special,” Pope said. “He’s just been off of his feet for two years and you think about him in this environment, in this situation, against this team in particular, for him to fulfill the defensive assignments he had tonight was incredible. It was so beautiful. He was doing such a good job I could put him back in and put him back in and put him back in. I thought he had a brilliant effort.”

Chandler wasn’t the reason Kentucky pulled off the upset, but his minutes were key. He and the other two freshmen, Trent Noah and Travis Perry, all had important moments against the Volunteers. These minutes might not mean much right now, but they’ll pay off plenty down the road.

“All those freshmen did an amazing job just stepping up in their roles and knowing that we need them tonight,” Fifth-year guard Jaxson Robinson said after the win. “I think they did a great job. Cool to see.”

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