Chandler's Memorable Performance Sparks Cats to 85-80 Victory over Texas
- KySportsStyle.com
- 48 minutes ago
- 2 min read
By Jamie H. Vaught
KySportsStyle.com Magazine
It was a memorable night for UK sophomore guard Colin Chandler as he helped the Wildcats beat a respectable Texas team 85-80 Wednesday night at Rupp Arena.
It was Kentucky's fourth straight win. UK is now 13-6 overall, 4-2 in SEC.
While battling the flu bug, Chandler hit a career-high 18 points and a career-high seven rebounds, He was also perfect from the free throw line, making six of six shots.
With UK leading 63-60 in the second half, Chandler got hot, scoring 12 of his team's 13 points, including a fast break dunk after a turnover, to give Kentucky a more comfortable lead at 76-65 with 5:48 remaining.
Texas coach Sean Miller was impressed with Chandler's performance.
"He’s an important player for Kentucky because he comes in off the bench, and he can really change the game," said Miller. "The closer and the more you watch him—he can steal a basketball, he’s physical, he runs and jumps way better than you maybe give him credit for. I just think he’s a really good player."
The 6-foot-5 Chandler discussed his struggles with illness.
"The biggest thing with sickness is energy levels and trying to get sleep," he said. "So, I’ve just been working on that and trying to get as much rest as possible, and today, my trainers and everybody were great and helped me get ready. I got an IV before the game, which helped a lot with my energy and hydration.”
Asked if he thought he would miss the game, Chandler said no.
"I’ve practiced the last few days," said the Utah native. "I missed shootaround today mostly to just catch up on sleep and rest and being sure I had all my energy for tonight, but there was never doubt on whether I was going to play or not. I haven’t been feverish which has been the nicest thing about it, but there’s been stuff going around. That’s just how the winter is so it’s something I get every year.”
Senior guard Denzel Aberdeen led UK with 19 points, including career highs at the foul line by making 9 of 12. Otega Oweh also hit 18 points and has scored in double figures in all 19 games this season.
Leading Texas was 6-foot-8 junior swingman Dailyn Swain who gunned in a game-high 29 points on 10 of 16 shooting.
UK's next game is Saturday afternoon when the Cats face Ole Miss at Rupp Arena. The noon ET game will be shown on ESPN. After that, Kentucky will go on the road against Vanderbilt and Arkansas next week.
Jamie H. Vaught, a longtime sports columnist in Kentucky, is the author of seven books about UK basketball, including newly published “Unforgettable Journey with the Cats: Inside Kentucky Hoops Madness.” Now a retired college professor who taught at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College in Middlesboro, he is the editor and founder of KySportsStyle.com Magazine. You can follow him on X/Twitter @KySportsStyle or reach him via email at KySportsStyle44@gmail.com.
