Utah State transfer M.J. Collins, who joined the Cincinnati Bearcats for two exhibitions in the Bahamas in August, and Filip Borovicanin, a Xavier starter a year ago, appear to be at the mercy of the First District Court of Appeals, which hears oral arguments Tuesday, Sept. 22.
Timetable for UC's M.J. Collins, Xavier's Filip Borovicanin
Collins and Borovicanin were among two dozen college athletes who sued the NCAA in Hamilton County after it adopted new rules allowing five years of eligibility in five years. However, those rules excluded the Class of 2022, which includes Collins and Borovicanin.
Common Pleas Judge Chris Wagner’s July 9 decision blocked the NCAA from enforcing those new rules, and on July 17 he refused to suspend his preliminary injunction. Ohio’s First District Court of Appeals on Aug. 17 suspended that ruling, making the players in the suit ineligible again.
On Sept. 15, the First District Court of Appeals denied an emergency motion by the plaintiff's attorneys (Borovicanin, Collins, etc.) to vacate the court's previous stay, leading to the proceedings on Sept. 22.
M.J. Collins, Filip Borovicanin, key pieces for Cincinnati Bearcats, Xavier Musketeers
Collins transferred to reunite with Jerrod Calhoun after being the top scorer last season for the Aggies at 17.5 points per game, while Borovicanin was a key cog for Xavier last season under Richard Pitino.
Collins joined the Bearcats for summer practice on July 20 and played in the Baha Mar Summer Classic in early August. He had 15 points and four assists in a win over Victoria (Canada) on Aug. 4, then added 9 points, two assists and three steals the next day in a victory over Calgary.
The 6-foot-4, 195-pound guard started all 36 games at Utah State last season. He shot 45.7% from the field, made 36.1% of his 3-point shots and 81% of his free throws. Collins had a high-scoring game of 40 points last Nov. 23 vs. Davidson, making 8 of 12 of his 3-pointers.
Borovicanin averaged 10.8 pints, 7.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists in Pitino's first season at Xavier, coming with him from New Mexico. The 6-foot-9 forward previously played a couple of seasons at Arizona.
Crucial timing for UC's Collins, XU's Borovicanin
The crosstown rivals both have exhibitions of note on Oct. 7 at the Lindner Tennis Center in Mason. UC will face Ohio State, followed by Xavier and Dayton. The Bearcats' first regular-season game is Nov. 2 at Fifth Third Arena vs. American; Xavier opens the same night at Cintas Center against Mount St. Mary's.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: UC's M.J. Collins, XU's Filip Borovicanin await ruling on eligibility