Torn ACL Ends Season for BYU's Kyle Collinsworth

13:45 remained in the WCC Tournament Final when Kyle Collinsworth went up in the air defending a Kyle Dranginis lay up. Collinsworth landed awkwardly on his right knee and fell to the ground in pain. It was clear that the injury was serious as he was unable to put any weight on his right leg when being assisted to the locker room.

We now know just how serious the injury is. BYU announced Wednesday that an MRI revealed Collinsworth tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Season ending surgery is set for early next week.

On February 15th against Saint Mary's, Collinsworth injured this same knee. His immediate reaction was worrisome, but the fear was short-lived because he returned to the game.

The season has not ended for the rest of the Cougars, however. Currently number 32 in the RPI, BYU has a legitimate shot at an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament.

With one of the fastest offenses in the nation, BYU also had a legitimate shot at making noise in the NCAA Tournament. That's less likely without Collinsworth.

An all-WCC First Team selection, the 6' 6" sophomore guard was a match-up nightmare that stuffed the stat sheet. He ran the point (team leader with 4.6 assists per game) and crashed the glass (team leader with 8.1 rebounds per game). Shot the ball often (second leading scorer with 14 points per game) and well (49.7% FG).

Additionally, he shines on the big stage. As a freshman in 2010-2011, before a two year LDS Mission, Collinsworth led the Jimmermania Cougars in rebounding during their three NCAA Tournament games. This year he was named to the all-WCC Tournament team, though he was unable to accept his award "due to injury."

Let's hope Collinsworth is one of the players to come back from ACL surgery with the same level of explosiveness they possessed before. His style of play is very exciting to watch.