When senior point guard Darren Collison announced his decision last April to stay in Westwood one more season, there was one thing on his mind: unfinished business.
The national championship had evaded him three times, and Collison wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity to bring it home in his final season.
“Honestly, I didn’t even think I’d be here as a senior,” Collison said. “But I’m here.”
However, somewhere along the way in his quest for a title, things didn’t go exactly as planned.
Unlike the past three years, when there has been little doubt about the Bruins’ place in the national spotlight, the past few months have been a different experience.
“This is probably the hardest year of my career,” Collison said back in November after the loss to Michigan.
Part of the reason behind Collison’s statement has been his new role this season. Without the presence of three big-time players who turned to the pros early ““ Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook ““ this team falls distinctly on Collison’s shoulders.
“I have to be aggressive and make sure the team is on their toes all the time,” Collison said in November. “Last year I had help. This year we have a lot of young guys.”
That leadership role is one that Collison has welcomed this season. With games on the line, it’s been the senior point guard with the ball in his hands. When the Bruins have taken losses, it’s Collison putting the blame on himself.
But more than his on-court presence, he has provided leadership for the younger members of the team, especially Jrue Holiday ““ the only freshman starter.
“(He’s taught me) how to become a leader,” Holiday said. “Not just how to take over a game but how to take over a team.”
Taking over for the Bruins is exactly what Collison has done throughout this season. In the final minutes of close contests it has been Collison who has decided games. There was the win at Washington State when Collison scored six of the Bruins’ final eight points to lead UCLA to a two-point win. There were the two shots he hit in the final minutes at California with the shot clock expiring that iced another victory.
The Bruins have two other seniors in Josh Shipp and Alfred Aboya, but when the game’s on the line, everyone knows who’s going to be taking the shots.
“He’s made the big plays down the stretch,” coach Ben Howland said. “Darren knows he’s expected to do that. He’s our point guard. That’s what he’s supposed to do. He’s done it time and time again.”
Collison has had the game in his hands so many times that getting nervous is something of the past.
“I think coach would be mad at me if I got nervous,” Collison said. “This is my fourth go-around, and by now, you can’t really get nervous. I’m a senior. It’s expected.”
The late-game dramatic shots are not something that even his teammates always expect.
“I’m still amazed at the shots he makes,” Holiday said, “how he gets in there and slides by people. Just the way he makes it look so easy. Honestly, he makes it look like it’s a piece of cake. I’m just sitting there, “˜How did you get through there?’ and all of a sudden the ball’s in the rim. He knocks down big shots.”
Like everybody else, the shots don’t always fall for Collison ““ take Friday’s 1-for-9 shooting performance for example. But his decision to stay in Westwood, finish his degree and take one more shot at March Madness is never something he regrets. Not even after the bad nights.
“I will never second-guess my decision,” he said following Friday night’s loss to USC. “This is what I came back for. This is what I wanted. I’m all in it for my team. It’s definitely a learning experience for me. It’s going to make me stronger.”
The resolve that Collison showed when he could’ve left for brighter lights after last season, or the year before for that matter, is something that Howland appreciates about his three-year starter.
“He hasn’t been in any hurry,” Howland said. “It’s not just about the money for Darren or his family. I appreciate him. He’s getting his degree on time. He’s a great kid. He’ll have a very successful career beyond UCLA playing basketball for a long time.”