In each of Collins' final three seasons he averaged over 18 points per game and scored over 500 total points. During that span, he reached double figures in 87 of 90 games, including a school-record 53 straight. As a junior in 1984–85, he led the team to a 20–10 overall record and their first Mid-Continent Conference championship. Both the Associated Press and ''Sporting News'' named him an honorable mention All-American that year. As a senior, Collins garnered another honorable mention nod by the ''Sporting News'' as he earned his second consecutive conference player of the year award, becoming the first player in conference history to do so.
The Denver Nuggets selected Collins in the fifth round of the 1986 NBA draft, but he never played in the league. After a professional basketball career he worked for Allstate insurance. Eastern Illinois inducted him into their athletics hall of fame in 1993.