After dropping their first matchup against Vanderbilt earlier this season, Kentucky made sure there wouldn’t be a repeat. The Wildcats dominated in an 82-61 win, showcasing depth, energy, and a growing confidence.
Head coach Mark Pope was quick to credit both his team and Vanderbilt’s effort.
“This Vanderbilt team is doing an unbelievable job,” Pope said. “They beat us at their place. This was a great response by our guys. I’m really incredibly proud of our guys.”
More than just a bounce-back win, this game highlighted the development of several key players—including Colin Chandler, Amari Williams, and Andrew Carr—who are stepping into bigger roles as the Wildcats continue their push toward March.
Colin Chandler: The Bamboo Tree Blooms
Pope made a point to praise Chandler, who came off the bench and made an immediate impact with 7 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in just 15 minutes.
“Collin gave us a massive boost tonight energy-wise,” Pope said. “He has a really special burst. We talk about these bamboo trees... they grow massive networks of roots underground, and you don’t see it. Then all of a sudden, they shoot up. That’s a little bit of Colin Chandler. He’s been growing big-time roots.”
For Chandler, seeing early success in the game helped set the tone.
“I think it set the tone for me,” Chandler said. “It got my feet wet a little bit, and it was nice to get one to go early.”
His role is only expected to increase as Kentucky pushes deeper into the season.
Amari Williams: A Force in the Paint
Williams took over in the second half, imposing his will on both ends of the floor. He finished with another strong performance, continuing to establish himself as a dominant presence.
“Amari decided he wasn’t passing the ball tonight,” Pope joked. “But we are witnessing something incredible—Amari is top five all-time in the SEC in terms of PAR per 40 minutes. That’s insane. He’s just getting more confident.”
Williams acknowledged his shift in mentality.
“At the start of the year, I wasn’t used to the physicality,” Williams admitted. “But now that I’ve figured it out, I realize how I can bang up against some of the other bigs. I took advantage of it.”
Andrew Carr’s Return to Form
Carr, who has battled injuries, looked like himself again in this one.
“It’s been a long road, but we knew it was a matter of time before it was going to be like today again,” Carr said. “It’s great to see the results.”
For Pope, contributions from players like Carr and Chandler are vital for this team’s continued growth.
“We had such huge contributions from everybody,” Pope said. “It should give our guys a lot of confidence.”
Defense Leads the Way
Vanderbilt managed just 21 points in the second half—a testament to Kentucky’s improving defense.
“We’re getting better defensively,” Pope said. “We’re understanding ourselves better. We’re communicating better. I thought our guys had a terrific defensive performance in the second half.”
With tougher tests ahead—including a road matchup at Alabama—Kentucky’s response to adversity will be key. Pope knows there’s still plenty of work to do, but the Wildcats are trending in the right direction.
“This is a brand-new season,” he said. “We’ve got a brand-new team. Now we’ve got the epic challenge of all challenges going to Alabama and seeing if we can deal with that insanity down there. It’s going to be fun.”