Collin Chandler is starting to look like the kind of player Kentucky hoped he’d become-and maybe even more.
The sophomore guard was lights out from deep in Wednesday’s 94-78 win over Oklahoma, knocking down 4 of his 8 attempts from beyond the arc. That performance wasn’t just a hot hand on a random night-it’s part of a growing trend. Chandler is now shooting 40.4% from three this season (42-for-104), leading the Wildcats in both total makes and accuracy from distance.
He finished the night with 18 points, three rebounds, and three assists, continuing a stretch of strong all-around play that’s helped fuel Kentucky’s turnaround. After starting Southeastern Conference play 0-2, the Wildcats have rattled off seven wins in their last eight games-and Chandler’s emergence has been a big part of that.
He’s now the team’s third-leading scorer, averaging 9.4 points per game, while also contributing 3.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists. But the numbers only tell part of the story.
Chandler’s game has matured in ways that go beyond the box score. He’s more confident, more decisive, and more in sync with what head coach Mark Pope is asking from his guards.
After the Oklahoma win, assistant coach Jason Hart didn’t hold back in his praise.
“Collin’s a prime example of believing in the system and staying the course,” Hart said. “This is his second year, and he’s real comfortable.
He’s grown and matured. He’s been on this long mission for two years, and now he’s got his legs back under him.
He’s just playing at a level where we knew he could, and I’m just happy the world gets to see him playing at a high level. We need him.”
It’s not hard to see what Hart’s talking about. Chandler looks like a player who’s settled into his role and understands how to pick his spots. But true to form, Chandler deflected the attention after the game, choosing instead to credit the team’s improved offensive rhythm.
“I just feel like I’ve been getting to spots where I’m comfortable,” Chandler said. “We’re getting to spots offensively that we weren’t before.
We’re clicking a lot better and understanding the offense a lot better as games go on. I attribute a lot of it to that.”
That chemistry has been a work in progress. Early in the season, Kentucky’s offense felt disjointed at times-talented, but not quite in sync.
Now, there’s a noticeable flow. Players are finding each other in the right spots, and Chandler is often at the center of it, whether he’s spacing the floor, hitting open shots, or making the extra pass.
Still, Chandler isn’t content with just lighting it up on one end. He was quick to point out the defensive lapses that allowed Oklahoma to make a second-half push from beyond the arc, even with Kentucky holding a comfortable lead.
“They actually shot the ball really well in the second half,” Chandler said. “It was demoralizing a little bit, even though we were winning by a lot.
I mean, it does that to every team-it has that effect. That’s how runs happen.
One of them was a fast break, one was at the end of the shot clock. I just think it adds to a run.”
That attention to detail-and the willingness to call it out-says a lot about Chandler’s mindset. He’s not just chasing stats or highlight-reel moments. He’s locked in on the bigger picture, and that’s exactly what Kentucky needs from a player in his role.
As the Wildcats continue their climb in SEC play, Chandler’s development is becoming one of the team’s most important storylines. What began as a quiet sophomore campaign is now turning into a breakout season-and if he keeps shooting like this, Kentucky’s offense might just keep humming right along with him.
“We’re finding things that are working,” Chandler said. “At the start of the year, the offense felt a little bit choppy. It’s gotten a lot more smooth.”
So has his game.