The Kentucky Wildcats are facing a point guard dilemma with both of their primary ball handlers sidelined. Kerr Kriisa, who fractured his foot, is expected to be out for 3-6 weeks, while Lamont Butler is day-to-day with a sprained ankle. Butler might return soon, but Coach Mark Pope may opt to give him extra rest, leaving the Wildcats short-handed at the position.
With Kriisa definitely out and Butler potentially unavailable, the Wildcats will rely on their remaining options. The only other scholarship point guard on the roster is freshman Travis Perry, who has had limited playing time so far this season.
Travis Perry: The Freshman Hope
Pope has expressed confidence in Perry’s ability to step up. He praised Perry’s skills before the Gonzaga game, calling him a “terrific player” and a viable option if needed. However, when the game was on the line against Gonzaga, Pope chose to go with Jaxson Robinson instead of Perry.
Jaxson Robinson: The Veteran Fill-In
Robinson, who has experience playing point guard under Pope at BYU, took on the majority of the duties against Gonzaga when both Kriisa and Butler were unavailable. While not an ideal fit for the position in terms of size, Robinson’s deep understanding of the offense helped him contribute significantly to the team’s impressive win over the Zags.
Collin Chandler: A Dark Horse Option
Similar to Robinson, Collin Chandler is not a natural point guard but has shown the ability to step into the role. He’s athletic, makes smart basketball decisions, and has been receiving more practice time at the position this week.
In the absence of Butler and Kriisa, it’s likely that Coach Pope will rotate Robinson, Perry, and Chandler in the point guard role to keep the offense running smoothly.
