"We were hoping to get at least two out of three in that stretch," Collins said.
Collins, who was a standout player at Schalick and later competed at Monmouth, is like any coach in that he wants his team concerned only about the next game.
That's sound strategy, but the youngsters are dealing with the daily expectations and it's difficult not to look ahead.
Tuesday's game against Woodbury was played before a packed house at Paulsboro. A school that for years has fielded one of the country's top wrestling programs now is generating a basketball buzz in the community.
"There has been a lot of enthusiasm for the team, and when we have a packed house like this, it really makes us play better," said senior point guard Juwan Alford, who averages a team-high 4.8 assists.
As if the Red Raiders need any more advantages.
They already take the court every night with one of the best players in South Jersey, 6-foot-5 junior Xavier Lundy.
"He could be averaging more points, but he is so unselfish," Collins said.
That said, Lundy is still averaging 21.5 points, along with 11.7 rebounds and 3.5 steals. He has been on the Division I radar since his freshman season, and one of his strongest traits is his smothering defense.
Also, he won't wilt under the high expectations the Red Raiders have produced.
"I like the hype," he said.
It would be a mistake to portray this team as Lundy and four other guys. That's because the other starters can flat-out play. And so can plenty of the reserves.
Collins' biggest dilemma is apportioning playing time.
Besides Alford, the starting guards are seniors Donald Childress and Calvin Johnson. Joining Lundy in the frontcourt is 6-8 Julien Davenport, who could be a Division I football recruit by next season.
