By the time Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins took the stage at Monday night’s awards banquet, the only question left was who would go first.

It was the perfect setting. In front of a packed house, Aldrich and Collins stepped behind the lectern as co-Danny Manning Mr. Jayhawk Award winners.

It would have been cruel to end the ceremonies any other way, so Aldrich stepped to the mic and took his cue.

“The past two years has been absolutely a blast, and I can’t wait till next year when we try to go for one more,” Aldrich said while smiling at Collins.

“It was a great year, and like Cole said, I’m going to be back next year,” Collins said.

Collins’ words were a foregone conclusion, but they still triggered a standing ovation.

It turns out the decision wasn’t too difficult for Kansas’ top two players.

Coach Bill Self told both men he would gather information to help them decide whether to test the NBA draft, but neither of them waited for it.

“Cole said, ‘Why would I test if I know I’m coming back?’” Self said.

Collins informed Self of his decision while the two were in Detroit accepting awards from the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Self recalled the encounter and said he was expecting bad news.

“When I told coach, the first thing he told me was, ‘Are you serious?’” Collins said. “Then he asked me if I was okay seven times and then he told me he had the goosebumps.”

Aldrich said he knew what his decision would be as soon as the season was over, but opted to take a little time to relax before meeting with Self.

“We talked a little bit after the season and I said, ‘I’m having way too much fun,’” Aldrich said. “I really want to do a lot of things that very few people have done.”

Collins and Aldrich spoke to each other often after the season, but the conversation was about doing what’s best for each person. Collins said neither of them knew what the other was going to say in their meeting.

Self estimated that he sewed up 12-15 wins with their return.

“We’re always actively recruiting, but as you guys know we just signed our two most important recruits right now,” Self said.

The decision for both Collins and Aldrich came down to a lot of things. Family, degrees and the college experience were popular answers.

But most importantly, the two men standing in front of that crowd want to win a second national championship.

“Sherron and I talked about this,” Aldrich said. “We could be those special names in Kansas history that all the little kids look up to.”

— — Edited by Melissa Johnson