Kyle Collinsworth makes a layup against the Gonzaga Bulldogs. (Elliot MillerThere
Perhaps the biggest question mark heading into the 2014-15 Cougar basketball season was whether Kyle Collinsworth could return to form after tearing his ACL last March.
Four triple-doubles and 22 games later, no one is doubting the junior point guard's ability to bounce back.
Collinsworth has grabbed national headlines in 2015 by tying the NCAA single-season record for triple-doubles.
A triple-double is a rare statistical feat achieved when a player records double-digit points, rebounds and assists. Collinsworth recorded his fourth in BYU's 93-80 win over Pacific on Jan. 15, tying the NCAA record before the Cougars even reached thei halfway point in conference play.
Triple-doubles are viewed as phenomena in college basketball; to date there have only been four other players to achieve four triple-doubles in a single season. Collinsworth joins Drexel's Michael Anderson, who first accomplished the feat in 1986 before repeat performances by UC Santa Barbara's Brian Shaw in 1988, Cal's Jason Kidd in 1994 and UMass' Stephane Lasme in 2007.
Kyle Collinsworth dunks the ball during a game against Standford. (Ari Davis)
Though seven games remain before the start of tournament play, there is some doubt as to whether Collinsworth will play the regular season out. He sat out the Cougars' Jan. 31 game due to a back injury he sustained falling hard in the Jan. 29 win over San Francisco. A quick recovery would mean that Collinsworth will have his chances to achieve a record-breaking fifth triple-double.
'Obviously, it would be an honor,' Collinsworth said about his potential to break the record. 'There are great names on that list. I try not to think about it too much. It would be awesome.'
Collinsworth is also one of only five BYU players ever to a record triple-double in a season, joining the likes of Kresimir Cosic, Danny Ainge, Fred Roberts and Michael Smith.
'The way Kyle Collinsworth is filling up the box score lately, it's almost more surprising if he doesn't record a triple-double than if he does,' Yahoo News sports reporter Jeff Eisenberg wrote in a Jan. 16 column.
Collinsworth currently has nine games with double-digit rebounds, already matching his total from last season.
'Collinsworth is one of the most gifted rebounders that I have seen play for us,' BYU head coach Dave Rose said. 'He has great timing, great anticipation. He can rebound outside his area, because he can read where balls are going.'
Collinsworth has already immortalized himself in the NCAA record books. One more triple-double, and he'll have a new page all to himself.