Collin Chandler Expects to See a Lot More Red Tonight

Going back to last season, Collin Chandler has hit 20 of his last 38 3-point shots. (Vicky Graff Photo)

Collin Chandler has one major memory from last year’s Kentucky-Louisville game in Rupp Arena.

“I remember there wasn’t much red in the arena. So we haven’t really gotten a taste of Louisville fans yet when we’re actually playing,” said Chandler Monday. “I remember (UK point guard) Lamont Butler in that game. That was pretty unforgettable, that was pretty legendary (when Butler didn’t miss a shot).

“I just remember the energy was awesome. It was like all the other rivalry games, like Arkansas, Tennessee — just the energy is fun.”

Chandler did not play in UK’s win over Louisville last year but figures to be a prominent contributor for Kentucky tonight with his 3-point shooting and defense against Louisville star freshman guard Mikel Brown.

“All their guards are really good players. Isaac McKneely played him in high school. We were the same age, and so I have known him for a lot of years. Their guard play is great, so it’s gonna be a good challenge for us and something we’re excited for,” Chandler said. “I followed his (McKneely) career at Virginia and he’s a great player.

“I know they play a high paced offense. Have a bunch of good guards. We’re also fast paced team. So I think playing against each other every day, we’re, we’re ready for that look. We practice a lot against fast teams. They shoot the ball. Overall they are a good team. We respect them. We’re coming ready to play.”

Chandler knows what this game means to fans after going to Louisville in 2024 when LaFamilia, UK’s alumni team, played in The Basketball Tournament (TBT) against Louisville’s alumni team.

“We were actually in the crowd for people to be taking shots at us (in Louisville). It was actually really fun,” Chandler said. “I think we got a little bit of a taste of what it’s like and it was really fun.”

Chandler said during one of his first interactions with Kentucky fans that they were throwing L’s down.

‘I don’t know if there’s another rivalry that every time someone’s on the Jumbotron, they’re throwing L’S down. They’re throwing shots even if we’re not playing Louisville,” he said.

Chandler knows the challenge is not getting overly hyped for any game, including Louisville.

“The challenge is treating every game the same, which I think we do a good job of preparing for every game to be our hardest game of the season,” Chandler said. “There’s no games that we’re coming in relaxed for. We’re going to treat it just like we did against Valpo, just like we did as Nicholls. This next game is our biggest game, and so we’re ready for it.”

Can that be done in a rivalry game like this?

“Once again, that’s the challenge. That is something that we try to try to do every game. That’s the challenge as an athlete is viewing every game as the same. Whether that’s 100 percent successful or not, I don’t know, but that’s our goal,” the sophomore guard said.

This will be Kentucky’s first true road game and only one before Southeastern Conference play starts in January.

“It’s kind of fun. It felt like last year it was forever until we played an actual road game. So having it this early will be fun, and I think good for our team to get some experience quick with playing against a hostile crowd,” Chandler said. “We have guys on the team … pretty much everyone’s played against a crowd like that.  I think we have enough experience to where it’ll be okay.”

Two players who have not played against a crowd like that yet are in-state freshmen Malachi Moreno and Jasper Johnson.

“I think they understand the environment. It’s one thing to watch it and another thing to play,” Chandler said. “I think it’ll be maybe a little bit of a different feel as you’re playing, but I think they understand for sure what is coming.”