For the second straight game, Collin Chandler didn’t just show up-he delivered when it mattered most. And once again, it was his poise, vision, and basketball IQ that helped seal the deal for Kentucky.
Saturday in Knoxville, with the game hanging in the balance and just 34 seconds on the clock, Chandler found Otega Oweh for a clutch, go-ahead layup that gave Kentucky a 78-77 lead over Tennessee. It wasn’t just a good pass-it was the kind of read you expect from a veteran guard who’s locked into the moment. And for Chandler, it marked the second straight game where his late-game decision-making led directly to the Wildcats walking away with a win.
Just three days earlier, Chandler had uncorked a near full-court dime to Malachi Moreno for a buzzer-beating bucket. That play made highlight reels.
This one? It showed just how complete his game really is.
Because this time, it wasn’t just about the pass. It was Chandler’s defensive awareness that flipped the script late. After the game, Chandler broke it down with the kind of insight that makes coaches nod in appreciation.
“I heard the play that they were running. They kind of telegraphed. So when he came off the screen, I knew I had a lane to go steal it,” Chandler said.
That’s not just reacting-that’s anticipating. That’s film study, in-game awareness, and confidence all rolled into one moment. And it set the table for the play that ultimately won Kentucky the game.
Offensively, Chandler was dialed in all night. He knocked down four three-pointers-his fourth game this season with at least four triples and the first since the Wildcats’ rivalry clash with Louisville.
When he’s shooting like that, Kentucky’s offense opens up in a big way. But what made Saturday’s performance stand out wasn’t just the shot-making-it was the two-way impact.
This is the kind of game Kentucky fans envisioned when Chandler joined the program. A player who can stretch the floor, make the right reads, and come up with game-changing plays on both ends. The fact that his defensive instincts helped spark the game-winner only underscores how complete his performance was.
In a season full of ups and downs, Chandler is proving he can be the steady hand when the pressure’s on. And if he keeps making plays like this, Kentucky’s ceiling only gets higher.