Colorado University Athletics
Collier Might Be Ready For Hoops Debut At Wyoming
BOULDER GÇô Freshman point guard Dominique Collier practiced with the Colorado menGÇÖs 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 GÇô the Denver PostGÇÖs Mr. Colorado Basketball in his junior and senior seasons GÇô missed CUGÇÖs home wins against Drexel and Auburn due to a lingering ankle injury and a two-game disciplinary suspension.
Collier said his ankle GÇ£feels betterGÇ¥ but still requires daily treatment. He was at full speed for a full practice Wednesday morning GÇô a welcome departure from previous weeks. GÇ£ItGÇÖs been quite a while,GÇ¥ he said. GÇ£IGÇÖve gone full speed but for half a practice.GÇ¥
Collier, who averaged 24.3 points and 3.7 assists as a senior for Denver East, said missing the BuffsGÇÖ first two games has GÇ£been really frustrating. IGÇÖve been trying to come back, but when I come back too soon IGÇÖm just putting pressure on (his ankle) all the time. It feels good to be back now.GÇ¥
Coach Tad Boyle has been waiting for CollierGÇÖs availability and viewed WednesdayGÇÖs work as a positive sign. Boyle added, however, that the practice featured GÇ£mostly half court (work) and shooting; we didnGÇÖt go up and down much. WeGÇÖll see (CollierGÇÖs status) in full-court situations. But, yeah, he practiced, which is a good sign. Hopefully heGÇÖs without a limp . . . I hope heGÇÖs ready.GÇ¥
Boyle said CollierGÇÖs 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.
GÇ£HeGÇÖll have an opportunity to get in there and mix it up just like any freshman,GÇ¥ said Boyle, adding that CollierGÇÖs basketball IQ allows him to GÇ£bring that simple play mentalityGÇ¥ and fit into the flow of the game. GÇ£He makes easy plays which are great for his teammates GÇô and this team can use that right now. And it gives us an extra body and increases our depth.GÇ¥
With 12 turnovers in each of his teamGÇÖs first two games, Boyle doesnGÇÖt believe Collier will be needed to solve any problems in running the offense GÇô at least not now. GÇ£Against Auburn I thought we really took care of the ball,GÇ¥ Boyle said. GÇ£We only had three decision-making turnovers.GÇ¥
Collier envisions his role as GÇ£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.GÇ¥
Collier believes his overall game has remained sharp and that conditioning is his biggest concern. GÇ£But I have to get that on my own,GÇ¥ he said.
That his college debut could come on a foreign court isnGÇÖt a worry. GÇ£IGÇÖm fine if it comes in Laramie,GÇ¥ he said. GÇ£Whatever coach thinks is best for the team and myself . . . IGÇÖm really anxious to just get out there and start playing.GÇ¥
Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU