The buzz around Kentucky basketball is heating up — and now the rest of the college hoops world is finally catching on to what we’ve been seeing all along: Collin Chandler is ready to break out.
College Hoops Today just named Chandler one of their 20 breakout players for the 2025–26 season, and John Rothstein’s words should have every Kentucky fan fired up:
> “Returning personnel is far more important than incoming personnel in college basketball and that’s why Chandler should have an excellent chance to carve out a role in the Wildcats’ deep rotation. The 6-foot-5 guard already has a year under his belt in Mark Pope’s system and had nine points in 10 minutes in Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament win over Troy last March. Don’t be shocked if Chandler makes a jump during his second year in Lexington.”
This isn’t just hype — Chandler’s resume is starting to back it up. He ended last season strong, showing flashes of being a legitimate scoring option in March Madness. For a player who had to find his role early in his freshman year, that late-season surge was the perfect confidence boost heading into the offseason.
Why Chandler Could Be Kentucky’s X-Factor
Mark Pope has one of the deepest rosters in the country, but depth only works if you have guys who can step up when it matters most. Chandler is built for that.
Experience Matters: With a full year in Pope’s system, Chandler understands where he fits and how to play his role.
Scoring Potential: He’s a three-level scorer who can get hot quickly — a luxury for a coach who wants pace and space.
Defensive Growth: Chandler’s improved on-ball defense could be what keeps him on the floor, especially early in the season.
Clutch DNA: Nine points in 10 minutes during an NCAA Tournament game isn’t just noise — it’s proof he can deliver under pressure.
If Chandler continues this trajectory, he won’t just be fighting for minutes — he might be one of Kentucky’s most important players by the time SEC play rolls around.
The Rotation Battle
Kentucky’s backcourt is loaded, but Pope has made it clear that minutes will be earned, not given. Chandler’s biggest competition will come from incoming freshmen and veteran transfers, but his blend of size, experience, and skill gives him a real edge.
Fans should expect him to start the season with significant minutes off the bench, but if he produces consistently, a spot in the starting lineup isn’t out of the question.
BBN’s Takeaway
Kentucky already has Final Four expectations this season, and the key to making that run might just come from guys like Chandler stepping up in year two. He doesn’t have to be the leading scorer — he just needs to be reliable, steady, and ready when Pope calls his number.
If Chandler becomes the breakout star many are predicting, he could be the piece that takes Kentucky from a dangerous team to a championship favorite.
