When Mark Pope walked into the postgame press room after Kentucky’s impressive exhibition win over No. 1 Purdue, the first player he singled out for praise wasn't the leading scorer or rebounder. It was sophomore guard Colin Chandler, who finished the game with just two points.
An unlikely MVP
“He was the highlight for the whole game for me,” Pope stated emphatically. “Um I would give him the MVP of the game. That's the defining feature of who if we're, you know, if this team wants to do something historic, that's what we need.”
The key stat Pope referenced wasn't points or assists; it was Chandler's plus-minus rating of +15, the best on the team by a significant margin. While Chandler was on the court for his 15 minutes, Kentucky simply played better, substantially outscoring the nation's top team. “He was a plus one per minute. That's a ridiculous ratio,” Pope noted.
Winning without scoring
Chandler's impact transcended the box score. He relentlessly pressured the ball defensively, made timely rotations, delivered the extra pass offensively, and communicated constantly. He didn't need to score to dominate his minutes. In Mark Pope’s system, which values efficiency, connectivity, and maximizing every possession, that kind of selfless, high-impact performance is invaluable.
Pope praised Chandler's decision-making and defensive energy, stating, “I have so much confidence in him to make the right decision on offense and so much confidence in him to um to to to be incredibly defensively sound with great energy... good things are going to happen when he's on the floor.” Pope even credited Chandler's specific cuts ("two elite level... full speed cuts where he hit the roll late") for helping Kentucky's big men find their rhythm offensively in the second half.
The blueprint personified
Pope’s praise wasn’t mere hyperbole; it was a clear message to his team and the fanbase. Chandler’s performance, prioritizing winning plays over individual stats, is the prototype for success in this new era. Labeling him the MVP wasn't about celebrating two points; it was about elevating purpose over production. You have to have guys who are willing to go out and do all the little things, even if their shot is not falling, or even if they don't get a shot.
The Wildcats’ new blueprint doesn’t reward flashy plays as much as it rewards functional excellence. It values the player who makes the right rotation just as much as the player who hits the open three. Chandler, a composed, system-first guard, perfectly embodied that ethos against Purdue.
At Kentucky, statistics have always told compelling stories. But in Mark Pope’s era, the most crucial numbers might be the ones, like plus-minus, that don't always make the highlight reels but directly contribute to winning. Colin Chandler just proved it.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion