Friday, February 23, 2007
Freshman guard Sherron Collins will start for the Jayhawks on Saturday evening, but his opportunity comes because of an injury to junior guard Russell Robinson.
Robinson sprained the bottom of his right foot during Wednesday’s practice. He was handling the ball when he slipped, and as the other players lunged for the ball, Collins landed on Robinson’s foot.
“I thought I twisted his ankle,” Collins said. “I feel kind of bad about it.”
Robinson’s foot was swollen Wednesday night, but by Thursday he was able to put on his basketball shoes. He was walking without assistance, and seemed optimistic about his recovery.
“It’s just one of those things that happens,” Robinson said. “Hopefully it heals quickly.”
Coach Bill Self said that if the healing progressed quickly, Robinson could return for Monday night’s game between Kansas and Oklahoma. Self said he would not start Saturday, though.
That leaves Kansas shorthanded as it goes up against Iowa State on Saturday evening. Collins will take over the starting spot, with junior guard Jeremy Case and freshman guard Brady Morningstar expected to see increased minutes because of the injury.
“Somebody else is going to have to step up and help lead the team,” Collins said.
On Saturday, Collins will share his ball-handling responsibilities with sophomore guard Mario Chalmers. Chalmers said that moving over a position wouldn’t have much of an effect on him.
“There’s really no difference in our system,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who brings the ball up.”
The Jayhawks are trying to avoid a repeat of their first game against the Cyclones, where they barely escaped Ames with a six-point overtime victory.
“I think we were lucky to win the first time,” Self said. “But I think we’re a better team now than we were when we played there.”
During the game in Ames, Iowa State was able to effectively control the tempo of the game. The Jayhawks didn’t have anything positive going for them until sophomore guard Brandon Rush took control of the game in the final minutes.
By starting Collins and Chalmers, Self is all but guaranteeing a faster game Saturday. Chalmers is at the top of the conference in steals, and Collins has mastered the art of the fast break off turnovers.
Collins attributes his recent bursts of energy to losing some weight since the beginning of the year. He’s worked with strength and conditioning coach Andrea Hudy to lose 30 pounds. His new slimmer frame paid dividends for Robinson on Wednesday as well — there was less Sherron Collins falling on his foot.
“If I was 228 I probably would have broke it,” Collins said. “I’ve got to thank coach Hudy when I get out there.”
Collins said he is excited about the opportunity to start, but wishes that Robinson was still there during introductions.
“I’m used to Russell being there,” he said. “I like to hear the ‘New York, New York.’ ”
Kansan senior sportswriter Michael Phillips can be contacted at mphillips@kansan.com.
— Edited by Will McCullough
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