Daimion Collins’ big game for UK fits his profile of wild contrasts
The move from small town hero to the pinnacle of college basketball perhaps helps Daimion Collins accept a wildly contrasting two-game Kentucky career.
In the season opener against Duke on Tuesday, he had only one foul and one turnover to show for 100 seconds of playing time.
Then against Robert Morris on Friday night, Collins filled his stat line: making seven of eight shots, scoring 14 points, grabbing six rebounds, getting credit for three assists and blocking four shots in nearly 21 minutes of playing time.
“He needs to play,” John Calipari said after Kentucky beat Robert Morris 100-60. “I question whether I should have played him more in the Duke game.”
Robert Morris Coach Andrew Toole saluted Collins as a difference-maker in the game.
“His activity, his athleticism is ridiculous,” Toole said.
Besides the numbers, Collins also contributed the game’s most electrifying play: a high-rising dunk that caused the crowd to fill Rupp Arena with cheers.
“Seeing the crowd go wild, that’s a real good feeling,” he said. “After that happened, it got so loud, That was new for me being a freshman.”
Collins is from Atlanta, Texas, which has a population of less than 6,000.
UK assistant coach Jai Lucas, who is from Houston, said the small town atmosphere made Collins a refreshing recruiting target.
“He probably didn’t play anybody over 6-5,” Lucas said last week. “So, it’s been like moving from somewhere that didn’t have the internet or TV to New York City in the middle of Times Square. That’s the way I put it.
“He’s that rare recruit in this time and age who has not been trained a certain way. Not told they’re a certain thing. He never lifted weights till he got here. … He’s one of those blank slates that’s rare. Instead of having to unwire him (from) something he’s been told, so when you find a player like that, it’s kind of a good thing.”
Not playing much against Duke was a challenge, Collins said. Calipari added that Collins volunteered to defend Duke’s star freshman, Paolo Banchero. But Jacob Toppin was doing a good job.
“I just have to work my way up,” Collins said. “I’m behind some real good players who’ve been here already.”
His task, he said, is to “just keep working hard (and) wait my turn.”
Robert Morris?
One question comes to mind: Who was Robert Morris?
Actually named Robert Morris Jr., he was born in Liverpool, England, on Jan. 20, 1734. He became a merchant.
Morris was one of two people to have signed the U.S. Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Articles of Confederation.
Morris was elected to the Pennsylvania Assembly and later chosen as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress. He died on May 8, 1806.
Looking ahead
Kentucky’s opponent on Tuesday, Mount St. Mary’s, experienced basketball extremes in its first two games.
In the opening game last Tuesday, the Mountaineers lost 91-51 at Villanova. VIllanova made 16 of 30 three-point shots and had a 21-6 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Mount St. Mary’s then romped to a 117-62 victory over Washington (Md.) on Thursday. In that game, the Mountaineers enjoyed a 50-21 advantage in rebounding and had a 23-7 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Mount St. Mary’s will play at Saint Joseph’s on Saturday before facing UK in its fourth game in eight days.
After the game against Mount St. Mary’s, Kentucky plays again Friday against Ohio University.
Ohio beat Belmont 92-80 in its opening game. The Bobcats play at Cleveland State on Saturday and at home against Robert Morris on Monday before facing Kentucky.
Historic game
Kentucky has played Mount St. Mary’s once. UK won 113-67 in the first round of the 1995 NCAA Tournament.
It is the most lopsided NCAA Tournament victory in Kentucky basketball history. UK has won 127 times in NCAA tournaments, not counting games that were subsequently vacated.
The 113 points are the most Kentucky has scored in an NCAA Tournament game.
Etc.
Kentucky improved its record in first home games with Calipari as coach to 13-0.
In the history of Rupp Arena, UK improved to 42-4 in such games.
This story was originally published November 13, 2021 at 12:39 AM.
