CHICAGO -- Originally, it looked like it would be a disappointing trip to Chicago for sophomore guard Chris Collins.
Ultimately, it became a triumphant homecoming.
Collins had been sidelined since breaking his foot on the opening day of practice Oct. 15. He wasn't expected to be back until the middle of December at the earliest, and that would have meant missing Saturday's game at the United Center in Chicago.
For Collins, a native of Northbrook, Ill., the game had extra meaning -- his father, Doug, coached the Chicago Bulls for three years when Chris was younger, and Chris was a ballboy at Chicago Stadium -- which still stands about 50 yards away from the Bulls' new building.
And with this history as a sidelight, Collins made his first appearance of the season. He scored five points in 12 minutes, including a three-pointer 10 minutes into the game, and helped Duke to a 70-65 win over Illinois.
"This game meant a whole lot to me," Collins said. "The whole atmosphere was a highlight for me -- growing up with my dad coaching and being a ballboy [for the Bulls]. It was an unbelievable thrill to be out there in uniform."
Collins also incited the wrath of the crowd with his enthusiasm -- both on the court and on the sidelines. His arm-waving and fist-pumping was enough to create close to 21,500 enemies in his hometown stadium -- every time he touched the ball, the fans booed heartily.
"That's just the way I've always played," Collins said of his emotional return to the court. "It keeps me fired up, keeps me going. If I can do something to make a hostile crowd quiet, I'll do it. That's just part of my style."
Collins practiced for the first time Thursday, and head coach Mike Krzyzewski said he is not yet close to 100 percent. But from this point on, his playing time should gradually increase.
"I'd say maybe by the time we go to Hawaii for the Rainbow Classic [on Dec. 27], maybe he'll be 100 percent," Krzyzewski said. "But his presence on the court just makes me feel a lot better."
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