The Numbers Don't Lie, Anthony Collins is Good

We have talked at great length this season about the progression the team has made under Anthony Collins and how vastly improved they are under him as compared to where they stood last season with Anthony Crater running the show.  The win totals are the first stat that jumps out, but it is the individual numbers that have really taken off late in the season that show the levels Collins is reaching (and with 2 regular season games last left.

First we look at Anthony Crater's numbers from all of last season.  He totaled 3.9 points per game, 118 total points over the entire season.  He had 137 assists as compared to 76 turnovers.  He averaged 2.3 rebounds a game, had 25 steals, shot 33% from the floor, and was just a 60% shooter from the free throw line.  Now, this is not to rip into Crater, but he didn't have a great season and the stats back up that claim.  Crater was just never a scoring threat and average at best when dishing out passes and leading the team in clutch time, this is where Collins has shined the most. 

Collins is averaging 7.8 points per game, 188 total points on the season (already surpassed Crater's numbers there).  He has 131 assists and 81 turnovers on the year, showing he is about to break Crater's mark from last season, but the turnovers are a bit high.  But, as a fan, one must realize he is only a freshman and did miss the first few games of the season.  He averages 1.9 rebounds per game, has 40 steals, 4 blocks, and shoots 84% from the free throw line, making the clutch shots like he did against Cincinnati when it matters the most.

Collins is going to surpass all the stats from last season that Crater put up and have even better results.  His offense game is only getting better as he becomes more confident and fearless to attack the rim with the ball.  He is also more aggressive on defense than Crater was, helping the Bulls grind their way to ugly yet fantastic wins.

We talk a lot about Collins and it seems to be a recurring theme, but considering how bad the team was last year and how far they have come and could go, it's only right to get excited about this young man and the team.  The team has a lot of work to do yet and the season is not over, but it is right to take a step back and look at the numbers and results Collins has put up so far in his short time as  Bull and be excited for the bright future.