The final shot by Kansas guard Sherron Collins is tipped by UMass forward Tony Gaffney with seconds remaining in the second half Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo.

Sherron Collins can’t help but wonder what life would be like had he hit — not missed — the last shot in Saturday’s 61-60 loss to UMass.

“I think everybody’s attitude and feelings around here would be better. Coach wouldn’t be as mad at us,” said Kansas University’s junior guard, who missed a driving left-handed six-footer with six ticks left. “I’m fine with it. The shot didn’t fall. Hopefully if I’m in the situation again, I’ll do a better job with that.”

Collins would have been deemed a hero had he made the bucket. He was flu-ridden and needed an IV at halftime just to continue.

“I just threw up a couple times, had stomach issues,” he said. “I wasn’t myself. The IV gave me a little energy. I’m better now. It’s out of my system.”

Still, he was a bit run-down Wednesday. “Seven of us have the same class. We’ve been up all night studying,” Collins said of an African American Studies class. “I’m not gonna lie. I’m a little tired. Coach said that doesn’t matter. What matters is when we lace ’em up, we’ve got to be ready at all times.”

Next up for KU is Saturday’s 1:30 p.m. home game against Temple.