Collin Chandler hit three 3-pointers against LSU.(Vicky Graff Photo)
One underrated aspect of Kentucky’s 95-64 win over LSU could be the confidence that freshman Collin Chandler might have earned.
He had a season-high 11 points on 3-for-8 shooting, including 3-for-6 from 3-point range, along with four rebounds and four assists in 17 1/2 minutes. Chandler hit 3-pointers from deep and shot with confidence even when the shots were contested.
“It’s really important,” Kentucky coach Mark Pope said when asked about Chandler. “Collin, and Trent (Noah), and Travis Perry in some ways are just incredibly important to our stretch run here. Those guys are ready, they are capable, and those three guys have got to step up and make huge plays for us like veteran experienced players, and they can.
“But those guys are really crucial. The success that we have is going to be in some part dependent on them being great and they are ready to do it.”
Chandler understands Pope is still “experimenting” with lineups this late in the season because injuries have forced the coach to do that even though postseason play starts next week.
“I’m excited and ready to go, whatever Coach needs, whatever he’s wanting to try and wanting to go,” Chandler said after the LSU win. “I think it’s been fun doing different positions and learning that way.
“There’s been a lot of learning experiences in that. It’s fun and unpredictable, but we’re getting better.”
Chandler’s athleticism and quickness could be a benefit on defense but he’s struggled on offense. He’s been hesitant at times to take shots but was not shy about shooting against LSU.
“I have just been wanting to help the team in any way I can, and that was defensively. I needed to get better, so that was a focus for me— getting better defensively,” Chandler said. “Coming in and being solid and reliable as a defender, but it can’t just be that way.
“I need to continue to grow offensively and be a threat out there too, because if I’m not a threat out there, it affects my teammates as well on offense. So I’ve been focusing on offense as well and getting myself.”
Chandler made it clear that he has benefitted from playing with Kentucky’s six seniors who played their final home game Tuesday.
“What I do know is that these seniors have been amazing at teaching us young guys all the things that they’ve learned through their experience. We have so much experience through all of our guys, and they’ve been very graceful at being patient with us and helping us to learn those things,” Chandler said.
“We’ll miss that big time, but hopefully we’ll be able to continue to learn and pass some things on from them to the next guys. Hopefully their DNA as players will continue to run through this team. They’ll leave a lot of DNA with the guys that will be here next year. I think it would be with us for a long time in this program.”
One Response
I have a feeling Chandler has another big game up his sleeve. I don’t know if it happens during the SEC tournament or the NCAA tournament but I think he will hit some big shots along the way. He’s just now coming around from taking 2 years off. Pope played him alk those minutes at the beginning of the season to get him ready for the end of the season. I can see a big leap in all 3 of the freshman game. They will only get better and better. I think they will all be reserves again next year but they will get more minutes. I know we are going to upgrade our guard position in the portal. So I think everything will work out perfectly. It gives them 2 years to be ready and let the game come to them. My only hope is that they all improve on there outside shooting. I don’t want to hear they hit a 1,000 in a row at practice I want to see it in the game. So far they have ad the ideal freshman seasons. They got to learn behind veterans that know the position. Plus I know Perry is being guarded by Butler in practice. That helps him out a ton. Lets stay focused boys and close out the year with another top 15 win. Lets start like we began the season. Red Hot.