Linked below are four good reads on Chris Collins’ rebuild at Northwestern, a program that has never gone to the NCAA Tournament. Collins is in his fourth year has some great quotes about celebrating small victories along the way, having to wait for the real wins, the importance of recruiting and what he learned from Cubs Manager Joe Maddon.

“He was really helpful, especially (by saying) that when you are trying to build something, pretty much the last thing that comes are the wins,” Chris said. “You have to build the winning culture and the winning environment. And sometimes you have to learn how to celebrate some of the small victories … guys coming in early (to practice), guys coming in at night doing extra work like strength and conditioning, how hard we practice, how the guys hold each other accountable.”

-Collins has Northwestern on the cusp of the NCAAs (LINK)
-Northwestern becomes good enough to dream (LINK)
-Q&A: Chris Collins (LINK)
-Collins putting lessons from father to use at Northwestern (LINK)