Collier Might Be Ready For Hoops Debut At Wyoming
BOULDER – Freshman point guard Dominique Collier practiced with the Colorado men’s basketball team on Wednesday morning and could be available when the Buffaloes play at Wyoming on Saturday (4 p.m., ESPN3).
The highly recruited Collier – the Denver Post’s Mr. Colorado Basketball in his junior and senior seasons – missed CU’s home wins against Drexel and Auburn due to a lingering ankle injury and a two-game disciplinary suspension.
Collier said his ankle “feels better” but still requires daily treatment. He was at full speed for a full practice Wednesday morning – a welcome departure from previous weeks. “It’s been quite a while,” he said. “I’ve gone full speed but for half a practice.”
Collier, who averaged 24.3 points and 3.7 assists as a senior for Denver East, said missing the Buffs’ first two games has “been really frustrating. I’ve been trying to come back, but when I come back too soon I’m just putting pressure on (his ankle) all the time. It feels good to be back now.”
Coach Tad Boyle has been waiting for Collier’s availability and viewed Wednesday’s work as a positive sign. Boyle added, however, that the practice featured “mostly half court (work) and shooting; we didn’t go up and down much. We’ll see (Collier’s status) in full-court situations. But, yeah, he practiced, which is a good sign. Hopefully he’s without a limp . . . I hope he’s ready.”
Boyle said Collier’s availability off the bench would add depth to the CU backcourt and that, if able, Collier would be used for spot duty much as fellow freshman Tory Miller has in the first two games.
“He’ll have an opportunity to get in there and mix it up just like any freshman,” said Boyle, adding that Collier’s basketball IQ allows him to “bring that simple play mentality” and fit into the flow of the game. “He makes easy plays which are great for his teammates – and this team can use that right now. And it gives us an extra body and increases our depth.”
With 12 turnovers in each of his team’s first two games, Boyle doesn’t believe Collier will be needed to solve any problems in running the offense – at least not now. “Against Auburn I thought we really took care of the ball,” Boyle said. “We only had three decision-making turnovers.”
Collier envisions his role as “coming in, keeping the offense and defense steady, finding the open man and attacking when I have the opportunities . . . be a point guard and just lead the offense and defense as much as I can.”
Collier believes his overall game has remained sharp and that conditioning is his biggest concern. “But I have to get that on my own,” he said.
That his college debut could come on a foreign court isn’t a worry. “I’m fine if it comes in Laramie,” he said. “Whatever coach thinks is best for the team and myself . . . I’m really anxious to just get out there and start playing.”
Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU