Kentucky’s habit of refusing to fold against its biggest rival showed up once again on Saturday. For the second time this season, the Wildcats erased a double digit deficit against Tennessee, completing a regular season sweep of the Volunteers with a dramatic 74 to 71 victory. The win further cemented Kentucky’s growing reputation as one of the SEC’s most resilient teams and underscored the emergence of a young player who has quickly become a trusted option in high pressure moments.
With the game hanging in the balance late, it was sophomore guard Collin Chandler who delivered the defining blow. Chandler calmly knocked down a clutch three pointer with 33 seconds remaining, pushing Kentucky in front 69 to 68 and flipping the momentum for good. The shot capped off another poised late game performance from a player whose role has expanded significantly over the past year.
A native of Farmington, Utah, Chandler averaged just over 10 minutes per game last season. This year, he has carved out a much larger presence in the rotation, producing 9.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per contest. Beyond the numbers, he has earned praise for his nonstop motor, defensive toughness and ability to make winning plays on both ends of the floor.
After the emotional win, Kentucky head coach Mark Pope walked reporters through the moments leading up to Chandler’s go ahead shot, detailing a last second adjustment and a key conversation with guard Otega Oweh.
“So we actually changed up the play. We were going to a back-same rip, and I was gonna have DA be the snap guy,” Pope said. “And then, literally as we’re walking on the floor I was talking to Otega about ‘Ah, maybe the reject feels good.’ And so we ended up sending him and O is just – the way he’s grown, it just is incredible. Like, it’s really incredible.”
Pope also highlighted Oweh’s response after a difficult opening half, crediting his maturity and physicality down the stretch.
“He did not have a good first half. He was really frustrated on the defensive end. A lot of that had to do with Tennessee, but, man, he stepped up and made great under-control, super-physical demanding plays,” Pope continued.
The Kentucky coach then turned his attention to Chandler, emphasizing how consistently impactful the sophomore has been late in games.
“And then, you know, Collin Chandler just continues to – it’s been every game. I mean, every game’s like – the scout on him is going to be in the last four minutes, like, just face guard him at 94 feet and don’t let him touch the ball, because he just makes it. But he’s making (plays) on the defensive end, on the glass, making on the offensive end. So, you know, we’re enjoying that. It makes my job way easier, for sure.”
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Kentucky now heads into a week long break before traveling to Florida next Saturday, a matchup that could play a major role in determining who finishes on top of the SEC standings.