NCAA reinstates Zaon Collins, but Fresno State still adds to brutal losing streak
Fresno State guard Zaon Coilins returned to the basketball court on Saturday, which gave the Bulldogs an eighth player dressed and available for a Mountain West Conference match up against Boise State. But it wasn’t enough to end a numbing losing streak.
Collins and guard Jalen Weaver were held out of a loss last Saturday at Air Force while the university worked an internal investigation into players betting on games. Weaver, as well as guard Mykell Robinson, have been dismissed from the team during the probe. The university released a brief statement about Collins prior to tipoff: “Zaon Collins will be available today as his eligibility matter has been resolved.”
The Bulldogs made a run at their first win since Jan. 17, but faltered down the stretch in a 66-61 loss to the Broncos at the Save Mart Center, the 11th loss in a row for first-year coach Vance Walberg in a dismal 5-24 season.
Fresno State already has set a school record for losses with two games remaining in the regular season and the conference tournament to play.
The Bulldogs were a 16.5-point underdog, and the teams played well under a 145.5 point total.
The university started a post-game press conference with another statement: “Due to an ongoing investigation within the men’s basketball program, the university and athletics department will not be able to comment on any matters involved with the investigation.”
Walberg did, however, address Collins’ return and what he has been told by university officials about his future. “We’re just happy to have Zaon back,” he said. “We’re happy the NCAA reinstated him.”
Collins was reinstated to the team on Friday, and has been in practices with the team.
“I’ve been told everything is fine,” Walberg said, on his future. “They know what’s been going on. Again, honestly, I’m worried about us just getting better. I really am. The kids have worked so hard.”
Collins was not as deeply involved in gambling activities as Robinson and Weaver, according to sources with knowledge of the internal investigation.
Weaver admitted in an interview with ESPN that he had placed a $50 proposition bet on himself to score more than 11 points in a game against New Mexico. He scored 13, winning the bet. “I just made a bad decision, and I shouldn’t even have gotten involved with that,” Weaver told ESPN. “Now, I’m obviously paying for it,” he said. “I bet on a game I played in, but I never tried to sabotage the season. I never bet on us to lose, never bet my unders.”
The NCAA prohibits student-athletes, coaches and athletics staff members from betting on games or providing information to any individuals involved in or associated with any type of sports betting activities involving intercollegiate, professional or amateur games or competition.
Student-athletes who violate those rules will be ineligible for competition, subject to appeal. The Fresno State student-athlete handbook also states that gambling on outside teams will result in ineligibility for at least one year and the loss of a season of competition, and gambling on Fresno State games will result in permanent ineligibility.
Collins scored 14 points in the loss to Boise State with six rebounds and two assists in 39 minutes. The Bulldogs had a 59-58 lead with four minutes to play, but missed six of their final seven shots down the stretch.
“It seems like no matter what game we play, we always hit a four- or five minute spell where we kind of struggle,” Walberg said. “We hit one of those again just at the wrong time, offensively.”