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Northwestern head coach Chris Collins celebrates first Big Ten victory with his team [VIDEO]

Chris Collins

Northwestern coach Chris Collins watches during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

AP

Northwestern and head coach Chris Collins picked up a big home win on Sunday night as the Wildcats knocked off in-state rival No. 23 Illinois 49-43 as Collins earned his first Big Ten victory and first win over a ranked opponent as a head coach.

Then the Wildcats and Collins celebrated. There were shoulder bumps, dancing, yelling and a lot of smiles on the face of Northwestern’s team.

I particularly enjoy Northwestern assistant coaches Armon Gates and Pat Baldwin shoulder-bumping many of the players and how the team ambushes Collins when he arrives in the locker room for the first time to greet his team after the win.

It’s a definite rebuilding year in Evanston, but this is a huge win for Collins in his first year as Northwestern’s head coach.

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