For Doug Collins, Monday’s second annual men’s basketball tip-off luncheon served as time to reconnect with current Florida Atlantic head basketball coach Michael Curry.

Collins, who currently works on ESPN’s NBA Countdown, previously coached Curry while he played for the Detroit Pistons during the 1995-1996 season. He later coached with him from 2010-2013 while he was head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers.

“Michael’s family to me, I love him,” Collins said of their bond. “I think Michael said it best. One day we might be friends, one day we might be brothers, one day I might be his father. It’s whatever we need from each other in that particular time.”

Curry echoed the value of their relationship. “I talk to him all the time about the team, coaching and things I can do better. I’m so appreciative of our relationship. I coached with him, played for him and in between I’m always talking to him for any advice.”

During his speech, Collins mentioned that he, Curry and current FAU assistant coach Eric Snow had two things in common: The trio had all played for the 76ers at one point and each had worn the number 20.

“They should have retired it after him [Collins], but they definitely should have retired it after me,” Curry joked.

Both Curry and Collins addressed the sold-out crowd of donors, coaches and local people of influence at FAU Stadium’s Delray Acura club, talking about the program at FAU as well as their own personal lives.

The duo later hosted a question-and-answer session for the people assembled, with Collins telling stories of coaching Michael Jordan and his most challenging rebuild as an NBA coach.

“They’re in the process of building, and to me they’re sort of at the ground floor,” Collins said of Curry’s team. “The essence of any program is recruiting number one, and number two the resources you have coming into your program that put you on a level playing field with the people you’re trying to beat. I’m hoping that will be the case and I know Michael will do a great job recruiting.”

Men’s basketball will play its first game in over a week when they host Ave Maria, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m.

Ryan Lynch is the sports editor of the University Press. For tips regarding this or other articles, he can be contacted at [email protected] or on Twitter.