Northwestern is no longer a statistical footnote

Jerry Lai-USA TODAY SportsIt all started in Atlanta just shy of four years ago.

Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips met with then-Duke assistant coach Chris Collins on March 25th, 2013, to interview him for the opening vacated by the firing of Bill Carmody.

Phillips had spoken to other candidates — including (possibly) current Vanderbilt head coach Bryce Drew — but Collins was the only assistant on the short list, and, of course, he was hired two days later.

When asked on Sunday about whether or not he had his doubts about Collins, who had only served as an assistant in the WNBA and college ranks, Phillips admitted he did, as anyone would. Why would Chris Collins be able to do…