Sherron Collins is walking a tight rope, much like an acrobat in Cirque du Soleil. In each of his hands is a single plate spinning on a crimson and blue stick. On top of the plate in his left hand is the destiny of Kansas’ team. On the other is his singular role as playmaker.

Collins is only going to make it across the tight rope that is the NCAA Basketball Tournament if he molds the two sides of what has made him such a productive and successful player.

“If it was a situation now,” Collins said of the final play in the 2008 NCAA Championship, “instead of making the pass, I’d be the one taking the shot.”

Is it impossible to ask a player of Collins’ caliber to play unselfishly, yet still take the important shots when it matters? Some might say yes when they look at the forced three-pointers Collins has needed to take this year — and during his career — to carry Kansas.

But I say no, it’s not impossible. And for Kansas to make it into April without another loss, Collins will have to be unselfish while still making the big plays when the Jayhawks need them most.

Fans have seen both sides of Collins. His most famous selfless play came in the National Championship game of 2008, when he dished a stumbling pass to teammate Mario Chalmers. The star from Chicago slid on the ground after the play and can’t even be seen in the famous “Mario’s Miracle” posters.

But sometimes people forget the play that really brought the momentum in Kansas’ favor in that fateful game. With 1:54 left, Collins stole an inbound pass, then drained a three from the corner just seconds later. It was Collins’ singular ability to make a play that won Kansas that game.

This is world-class balance of playmaking and selflessness if I’ve ever seen it, and Collins continues to maintain that equilibrium this season. At the end of regulation at the Kansas State game this season, Collins forced the issue and found himself turning the ball over after being double teamed.

Yet when the Kansas State game was on the line in overtime, who took the game-winning shot? Collins, of course.

Finding that balance isn’t easy, but it is necessary for the success of Kansas basketball. There is only one person to look to when a player needs to get that balance back: Kansas coach Bill Self.

“I don’t want this to be so much about Sherron and senior night — and he wouldn’t either — that we forget what we are trying to do,” Self said. “And that’s to beat a top-five team.”

Tonight is the first step across the tight rope at the end of the season. Each step ahead will require little adjustments in Collins’ balance. And like a tightrope walker 50 feet in the air, the only option is to make it to the other side.

— Edited by Megan Heacock