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Colvin making most of return
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2010-02-01
There is nothing revolutionary about Chris Colvin’s recent play.
Since coming off suspension, the Iowa State freshman point guard has made the most of his limited playing time. Over his last two games, he’s averaging 7.0 points and 3.5 assists.
And Colvin says it’s all because he’s embracing his role as a reserve.
“I am doing the things coach is asking me to do, and by the result of that, I am getting more minutes,” Colvin said.
Saturday, ISU coach Greg McDermott asked Colvin to distribute the ball. So that’s what Colvin did, dishing out five assists while also scoring three points.
McDermott called it Colvin’s best game and said he’s proud not only of the way Colvin is playing, but of the changes he’s seen in Colvin since being suspended for two weeks after leaving a postgame team meeting early on Jan. 6.
“I would like to think that what we hoped the suspension would accomplish has been accomplished and that he values more his opportunity to play basketball and wear the Iowa State uniform,” McDermott said.
Colvin said it has.
Before his suspension, McDermott said, Colvin would be disrespectful to teammates and coaches. But since his return, Colvin’s been the ideal Cyclone, chatting with teammates, working hard in practice and doing what the coaches ask of him.
Colvin said his suspension humbled him and that he has no intentions of leaving. He also believes his suspension played a role in his solid play the last four games.
“(I’m) just actually interacting with coach and seeing how he feels about things and interacting with the players and just getting to know everyone again,” Colvin said.
He’s also making his teammates better. McDermott gives Colvin much of the credit for ISU forward Craig Brackins’ 27-point, 13-rebound performance against Colorado.
“It was encouraging Saturday to see Craig Brackins get easy baskets as a result of what Chris was able to do,” McDermott said.
McDermott believes Colvin started the year feeling “the weight of the world” was on his shoulders and worried that he would be pulled out of the game if he didn’t produce.
Now that Colvin’s moved past that, his game has moved on to another level.
“He is learning to trust us a little bit more and trust our system and trust our plan and understand there are plenty of opportunities, as we saw the other night, for him to make the plays that he can make,” McDermott said.
Christopherson has mono
ISU guard Scott Christopherson has played the last three games despite having mononucleosis. He’ll continue to play, but his practice time is being monitored.
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 663-6929 or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2010-02-01
Iowa State's Chris Colvin, who was suspended for most of January, is averaging 7.0 points and 3.5 assists in the Cyclones' last two games.
Tribune file photo by Nirmalendu Majumdar
Tribune file photo by Nirmalendu Majumdar
There is nothing revolutionary about Chris Colvin’s recent play.
Since coming off suspension, the Iowa State freshman point guard has made the most of his limited playing time. Over his last two games, he’s averaging 7.0 points and 3.5 assists.
And Colvin says it’s all because he’s embracing his role as a reserve.
“I am doing the things coach is asking me to do, and by the result of that, I am getting more minutes,” Colvin said.
Saturday, ISU coach Greg McDermott asked Colvin to distribute the ball. So that’s what Colvin did, dishing out five assists while also scoring three points.
McDermott called it Colvin’s best game and said he’s proud not only of the way Colvin is playing, but of the changes he’s seen in Colvin since being suspended for two weeks after leaving a postgame team meeting early on Jan. 6.
“I would like to think that what we hoped the suspension would accomplish has been accomplished and that he values more his opportunity to play basketball and wear the Iowa State uniform,” McDermott said.
Colvin said it has.
Before his suspension, McDermott said, Colvin would be disrespectful to teammates and coaches. But since his return, Colvin’s been the ideal Cyclone, chatting with teammates, working hard in practice and doing what the coaches ask of him.
Colvin said his suspension humbled him and that he has no intentions of leaving. He also believes his suspension played a role in his solid play the last four games.
“(I’m) just actually interacting with coach and seeing how he feels about things and interacting with the players and just getting to know everyone again,” Colvin said.
He’s also making his teammates better. McDermott gives Colvin much of the credit for ISU forward Craig Brackins’ 27-point, 13-rebound performance against Colorado.
“It was encouraging Saturday to see Craig Brackins get easy baskets as a result of what Chris was able to do,” McDermott said.
McDermott believes Colvin started the year feeling “the weight of the world” was on his shoulders and worried that he would be pulled out of the game if he didn’t produce.
Now that Colvin’s moved past that, his game has moved on to another level.
“He is learning to trust us a little bit more and trust our system and trust our plan and understand there are plenty of opportunities, as we saw the other night, for him to make the plays that he can make,” McDermott said.
Christopherson has mono
ISU guard Scott Christopherson has played the last three games despite having mononucleosis. He’ll continue to play, but his practice time is being monitored.
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 663-6929 or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
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