Redbird basketball legend Doug Collins watched Illinois State defeat Drexel Thursday night. (Photo Courtesy GoRedbirds.com)

By Paul Morello

PHILADELPHIA - A Redbird basketball legend donned his Illinois State warmup jacket once again Thursday night to cheer on his alma mater.

Philadelphia 76ers' head coach Doug Collins stopped by the Daskalakis Athletic Center to watch Illinois State beat the Drexel Dragons in overtime, 86-84.

"The Redbirds look good. They've got great quickness and speed and they've got depth. It looks like Dan (Muller) has got them playing very hard," he told WJBC's Dick Luedke and Mike Matthews.

"Dan looks good at ISU. I'm proud to see him there," Collins said. "It's so great to have someone at ISU who bleeds that Illinois State red, white and blue that is running the team now."

Collin was joined at the game by fellow ISU alum Kathy, his wife, and Brian James, an assistant coach with the 76ers. Collins is the most decorated Illinois State player in school history.

Among other achievements, he was a member of the 1972 Olympic team, a consensus All-American in 1973, a three-time Academic All-American and winner of the NCAA Top Five Athletes of 1973. He averaged 29.1 points in three seasons at Illinois State and is the program's all-time leading scorer (2,240 points).

PODCAST: Listen to the exclusive interview with Collins on WJBC

He was the top pick in the 1973 NBA Draft, and was a four-time NBA All Star.

Collins is currently in his third season as head coach of the 76ers.

Paul Morello can be reached at paul@wjbc.com.