There are a lot of emotions, knowing that it was my final college game. Coach (Dave) Rose said something to me and Chase that this isn’t our last game. Chase and I will rest up and get back to work. – Kyle Collinsworth
NEW YORK CITY — In last week’s National Invitation Tournament quarterfinal win over Creighton, BYU senior guard Kyle Collinsworth was seriously hampered by the flu.
The illness took its toll, as he lost 12 pounds. He worked hard to get his energy back going into Tuesday’s NIT semifinal game against Valparaiso.
In his final game in a Cougar uniform, Collinsworth wasn’t at full strength.
“My legs were a little heavy, to be honest,” he said. “I wasn’t very springy.”
In 32 minutes, Collinsworth scored 20 points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out five assists, collected five steals and had five turnovers as BYU fell 72-70.
Collinsworth, who was named an honorable mention All-America by the Associated Press earlier in the day, has finished his career with 1,700-plus points, 1,000-plus rebounds, 700-plus assists and 200-plus steals.
BYU’s other senior guard, Chase Fischer, scored 16 points on 7 of 19 shooting. Senior forward Nate Austin did not score and had three rebounds.
“It’s difficult. The locker room’s tough,” Collinsworth said of playing his last game at BYU. “There are a lot of emotions, knowing that it was my final college game. Coach (Dave) Rose said something to me and Chase that this isn’t our last game. Chase and I will rest up and get back to work.”
“It’s tough because you love these guys and your coaches … It’s your family,” Fischer said. “I’m just thankful I was able to be around great people every day … I’m so glad I came here and played for coach Rose.”
“It’s a tough locker room,” Rose said, “We’ll have a banquet in the next couple of weeks and get back together, but that’s the last competitive environment that you deal with your team. Whatever we do next will be a different group. But I told them in there how grateful that I am personally for their commitment, their commitment to BYU and to our basketball program and the work they have put in over the years.”
JIMMER IN THE HOUSE: Former BYU consensus All-American Jimmer Fredette, who plays for the Westchester Knicks of the NBA’s Developmental League, sat behind the Cougar bench Tuesday and cheered for his alma mater.
STEALS GALORE: The BYU-Valparaiso game featured more steals than a Pickpocket Convention at Grand Central Station.
BYU tallied 16 steals while the Crusaders recorded eight.
In all, the Cougars had 18 turnovers and Valpo had 20.
FREQUENT FLYERS: Including the team’s summer trip to Spain, BYU has traveled more than 32,500 miles this season.
EMAIL: jeffc@deseretnews.com