As Kentucky heads into postseason play, one name has emerged as a potential X-factor: freshman guard Collin Chandler. After a season marred by injuries and roster changes, Chandler has worked his way into head coach Mark Pope’s rotation, showing glimpses of his potential at just the right time.
Over Kentucky’s last three games, Chandler has averaged 7.7 points in 16.3 minutes per contest, shooting 50% from beyond the arc. His defensive performance, particularly in Kentucky’s regular-season finale against Missouri, caught attention as he effectively neutralized Caleb Grill. At 6-foot-5, Chandler’s versatility on both ends of the court provides the Wildcats with a dimension few others on the roster can replicate.
Pope acknowledged Chandler’s growing importance heading into the SEC Tournament. “He’s getting more and more comfortable on the floor,” Pope said. “He gives us some things that we don’t have a lot of on the roster. Defensively, he’s been incredible, and offensively, he’s starting to attack within our system. We need both those things. He’s going to be a big key to this.”
Chandler’s increased role comes in the wake of Jaxson Robinson’s season-ending wrist injury, a setback that forced Pope to search for reliable contributors in his shortened rotation. Chandler initially began stepping up during two games in February when Robinson was sidelined, posting 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, and four steals across those outings. While those performances seemed like a bonus at the time, Chandler is now an integral part of Kentucky’s postseason plans.
As it stands, Chandler has become the team’s sixth man, logging more minutes than several other bench players in recent games. His ability to stretch the floor, combined with his defensive tenacity, makes him a valuable asset in Kentucky’s quest for a deep tournament run.
With the SEC Tournament tipping off on Thursday, Chandler’s role will only grow. Kentucky, a No. 6 seed, will face the winner of Georgia and Oklahoma in the second round. Pope emphasized the need for his young guard to maintain his defensive intensity while continuing to develop confidence on offense.
Chandler’s emergence could be the spark Kentucky needs to make noise in March. For Big Blue Nation, the hope is that the freshman’s best basketball is yet to come.
