Post by MizzouTiger on Feb 23, 2008 16:08:12 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/166/story/500307.html
KU’s Collins to play through knee pain
By RYAN YOUNG
The Kansas City Star
LAWRENCE | In discussing the recent surge of upcoming opponent Oklahoma State, Kansas coach Bill Self got to talking about the Cowboys’ reigning Big 12 player of the week, Byron Eaton.
And in talking about Eaton, well, Self followed a natural segue to Jayhawks guard Sherron Collins. It seems some — including Self, Russell Robinson and even Collins — see a little similarity in the two short-but-strong guards.
“(Eaton) is a little taller,” Self said. “And, of course, he’s healthier than Sherron.”
Healthier?
Yes, it appears Collins is being slowed by yet another injury — a bruised knee.
“Once he starts feeling good and starts looking good, it’s just (another) thing that slows him down,” Robinson said sympathetically of Collins, his injury-riddled backcourt teammate.
“We all kind of endure that with him. It’s been a tough year.”
Collins, who suffered from tendinitis in his left knee late last season, missed six games early this season because of a stress fracture in his foot. Lately, he’s been slowed by a bruised right knee, which kept him out ofpractice Monday and Tuesday.
As of early Thursday afternoon, Self was still unsure when Collins might return to the court and how much — if any — he’d play Saturday. But Collins put to rest any doubt when he emerged from the locker room before practice.
“Yeah, I’ll play,” Collins said. “… It’s just another one I’ve got to get over.”
He wasn’t quite as certain about whether he’ll ever be at full strength.
“Man, I’ve been questioning that all year,” Collins said.
“A couple games, I’ve been full strength. But as soon as that happened, then in practice this happened. But this is the hand I’m dealt, and I’ve got to play it right.”
Collins, who is averaging 9.2 points and 23 minutes in 20 games, said the injury stems from the Feb. 2 game at Colorado. He aggravated the deep bruise to his right knee in practice last week. But Collins still played 23 minutes in a 69-45 win over Colorado on Saturday, contributing five points, five rebounds and three assists.
He had his knee wrapped and in a small soft brace as he made his way to the court Thursday afternoon, prepared to return to practice — in some role, at least.
“I played through it on Saturday, and we’re going to play through it this Saturday,” Collins said.
“I’m just going to go out there and do whatever Coach asks me to do.”
As for the comparison to Eaton, a 5-foot-11, 213-pound junior who won Big 12 player of the week honors, Collins (5-11, 205) had no problem with them being lumped together as “stocky” guards.
“We both have to lose weight. He’s a stocky guard like me. … I’ll roll with that one,” he said.
•Senior forward Darnell Jackson and senior reserve guard Rodrick Stewart missed Thursday’s practice because of illness.
KU’s Collins to play through knee pain
By RYAN YOUNG
The Kansas City Star
LAWRENCE | In discussing the recent surge of upcoming opponent Oklahoma State, Kansas coach Bill Self got to talking about the Cowboys’ reigning Big 12 player of the week, Byron Eaton.
And in talking about Eaton, well, Self followed a natural segue to Jayhawks guard Sherron Collins. It seems some — including Self, Russell Robinson and even Collins — see a little similarity in the two short-but-strong guards.
“(Eaton) is a little taller,” Self said. “And, of course, he’s healthier than Sherron.”
Healthier?
Yes, it appears Collins is being slowed by yet another injury — a bruised knee.
“Once he starts feeling good and starts looking good, it’s just (another) thing that slows him down,” Robinson said sympathetically of Collins, his injury-riddled backcourt teammate.
“We all kind of endure that with him. It’s been a tough year.”
Collins, who suffered from tendinitis in his left knee late last season, missed six games early this season because of a stress fracture in his foot. Lately, he’s been slowed by a bruised right knee, which kept him out ofpractice Monday and Tuesday.
As of early Thursday afternoon, Self was still unsure when Collins might return to the court and how much — if any — he’d play Saturday. But Collins put to rest any doubt when he emerged from the locker room before practice.
“Yeah, I’ll play,” Collins said. “… It’s just another one I’ve got to get over.”
He wasn’t quite as certain about whether he’ll ever be at full strength.
“Man, I’ve been questioning that all year,” Collins said.
“A couple games, I’ve been full strength. But as soon as that happened, then in practice this happened. But this is the hand I’m dealt, and I’ve got to play it right.”
Collins, who is averaging 9.2 points and 23 minutes in 20 games, said the injury stems from the Feb. 2 game at Colorado. He aggravated the deep bruise to his right knee in practice last week. But Collins still played 23 minutes in a 69-45 win over Colorado on Saturday, contributing five points, five rebounds and three assists.
He had his knee wrapped and in a small soft brace as he made his way to the court Thursday afternoon, prepared to return to practice — in some role, at least.
“I played through it on Saturday, and we’re going to play through it this Saturday,” Collins said.
“I’m just going to go out there and do whatever Coach asks me to do.”
As for the comparison to Eaton, a 5-foot-11, 213-pound junior who won Big 12 player of the week honors, Collins (5-11, 205) had no problem with them being lumped together as “stocky” guards.
“We both have to lose weight. He’s a stocky guard like me. … I’ll roll with that one,” he said.
•Senior forward Darnell Jackson and senior reserve guard Rodrick Stewart missed Thursday’s practice because of illness.