Vanderbilt basketball: Scapegoating Frankie Collins isn't the answer

Vanderbilt lost to Oklahoma while Frankie Collins and Duke Miles were absent; Collins suffered a meniscus injury seven weeks ago, was reportedly medically cleared about a week ago, but remains in rehab with no clear timetable.

Vanderbilt basketball lost to Oklahoma in a game that renewed focus on missing guards Frankie Collins and Duke Miles. Collins suffered a meniscus injury seven weeks ago that was originally set to keep him out four to six weeks. Coach Mark Byington said Collins was medically cleared about a week ago but is still rehabbing and the team has not provided a firm return date. The column critiques the tendency to single out Collins for the loss and urges a broader look at the team's performance. Reported facts: - Frankie Collins suffered a meniscus injury seven weeks ago that was initially set to keep him out four to six weeks. - Coach Mark Byington said Collins was medically cleared about a week ago but remains in rehab and no timetable was given. - Vanderbilt also missed guard Duke Miles in the Oklahoma game and struggled with toughness and depth during the loss. - Oklahoma forward Tae Davis scored 14 points, and Vanderbilt mounted a late comeback led by Tyler Tanner but still finished with a damaging result. - A fan yelled "Toughen up Frankie" as Collins left the floor, and the column warns against making Collins a scapegoat for the defeat. Summary: The Oklahoma loss exposed specific on-court shortcomings and added a borderline quad-three result to Vanderbilt's résumé that may influence seeding. Undetermined at this time.