Collins Earns America East Player Of The Week Award
December 16, 2002 | Men's Basketball
BOSTON - Boston University senior captain Billy Collins (Concord, N. H.) was named America East Player of the Week on Dec. 16 after averaging 15.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game as the Terriers defeated Ohio University and fell to George Washington.
The 6-foot-7 forward had his fourth double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds in a 68-55 loss to the Colonials on Dec. 11. He added 12 points and six rebounds in 25 minutes in a 78-57 win over the MAC preseason favorite Bobcats on Dec. 13.
Against GW, Collins hit five straight three-pointers over the span of 4:38 of the first half, giving B. U. an early 27-19 lead. He finished the half with 17 points, connecting on 5-of-6 of his three-point attempts.
Collins was one of a number of Terriers who had a solid effort against Ohio University. Along with his 12-point, six-rebound performance, he had four assists, one block and one steal.
Collins leads the Terriers in a number of statistical categories, including scoring (11.1 ppg) and rebounding (8.9 rpg). He has made the most three-pointers on the team with 16, and has the highest three-point percentage at 43.2 percent. On top of that, he is pacing the team in blocked shots with five.
Among America East leaders, Collins leads the league in rebounding, while posting the highest defensive rebounding average at 6.12 per game and the fifth highest offensive rebounding average at 2.75 per game.
Despite all of the accolades he has earned over the past two-plus seasons, it is the first America East Player of the Week honor for Collins. Last season, he was named to the All-Conference First Team, while earning the Reggie Lewis Award, given to the America East Championship's Most Outstanding Player.
As a team, the Terriers have picked up where they left off last year, leading the conference in scoring defense at 61.0 points per game. They have rebounded the ball well this season, leading the league in rebounding margin with a +6.5. They are also tops in field goal defense at 39.7 percent.
Collins and his teammates have led B. U. to a 4-4 record heading into its exam break. The Terriers travel to Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, Dec. 21 to take on the Cleveland State Vikings. Game time is 7 p.m. EST.
