By Gage Nutter
@GageNutter_
Collin Lindsay was a solid guard for the East Longmeadow Spartans the last few years.
He used his long 6’ 3” frame to shoot over defenders and finish down low off cuts to the basket. His skillset as a tall guard made him difficult to defend against as most teams at the high school level don’t have players with his length that are as mobile as he is.
Coming into this year as a freshman member of the Springfield men’s basketball team, he’ll be asked to showcase those same skills, but not in the backcourt that he is used to. He will be called on to contribute in the frontcourt as a power forward.
The coaching staff believes that he has the ability to command respect down low as a potential post presence while also having the ability to step outside as a threat from behind the arc.
The transition to the frontcourt has been a challenge, but Lindsay feels like he has made progress so far this preseason.
“It’s more physical,” said Lindsay on the difference between the frontcourt and backcourt. “In my opinion, it’s a lot more work. That could be because college basketball is obviously more work than high school. Just a lot more physical, a lot more boxing out.”
During his senior year of high school Lindsey was in contact with the coaching staff about the possibility of joining the team. He knew that nothing was guaranteed, but he was excited about the opportunity of performing in front of the coaching staff at tryouts.
Lindsay was of course on head coach Charlie Brock’s radar coming into tryouts, but Lindsey surpassed Brock and the coaching staff’s expectations with his work-rate and his ability to showcase his abilities more than they saw in high school.
He displayed his ability to pick up on concepts quickly and shoot effectively during the tryout and during the team’s scrimmage with Roger Williams as well.
“He did a nice job in the scrimmage reading where the ball was and reacting,” said Head coach Charlie Brock. “He is a good learner — very attentive.”
Looking at the rest of the roster, there is only one other player that has the ability to rack up rebounds, step outside to shoot, finish effectively down low and play power forward: Heath Post.
Lindsay hopes to learn as much as he can this season from watching how Post goes about practice and preparing for games.
“Heath plays inside and can still get outside shots as a four and a five when it is there for him. I take note of things like that,” said Lindsey. “I use his game as an example and as something I have to work towards.”
As previously stated, Lindsay is 6’ 3”, but weighs 180 pounds. That is desirable for a guard, but as he prepares to take on NEWMAC frontcourt players, it wouldn’t hurt for him to add on muscle weight.
He gained some muscle weight in the summer, but felt that the additional weight slowed him down. He doesn’t currently have any long-term plans to add weight, but he hopes to add weight in an effective way in the future.
“Here (at Springfield College) we have a great (strength and conditioning) program, so if I needed to gain weight I would be able to do it in a good way,” said Lindsey. “If I can gain weight and maintain my speed that would help against the big guys down low.”
During the team’s historic tournament run last season, Lindsay kept track of the team every step of the way.
The program’s success motivated him to work as hard as he could to make the team. As a freshman, he understands that his playing time might be minimal in his first season, but he is prepared to do whatever is necessary to help the team reach its goals this year.
“I just wanted to be a part of this team and experience a great season. To be a part of this team is an honor, especially as a freshman.”