Vanderbilt's Mark Byington Confident Duke Miles Will Return Soon From Injury

Byington also provides update on injured player Frankie Collins

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Vanderbilt basketball head coach Mark Byington is expressing confidence that star guard Duke Miles, who has missed the last five games due to injury, will be back in the lineup soon. Byington also gave an update on the status of another injured player, Frankie Collins, saying the team has adjusted his treatment and rehab plan in hopes of getting him back as well.

Why it matters

Duke Miles is Vanderbilt's second-leading scorer and a key part of their success this season, so his return will be crucial as the team continues its push for the SEC title. The Commodores have managed to win five of their last six games without Miles, but getting their star guard back will boost their chances of contending for the conference crown.

The details

Miles has not played since January 24th against Mississippi State, missing the last five games. Byington said Miles has been "attacking his rehab" and doing workouts, and the coach is confident he'll be back "within a week or two for sure." As for Frankie Collins, who has been out since December 17th, Byington said the team has "changed things up with his treatment and his rehab plans" and is "hoping this kind of change up helps him out."

  • Duke Miles has not played since January 24th against Mississippi State.
  • Frankie Collins has not played since December 17th.

The players

Mark Byington

The head coach of the Vanderbilt men's basketball team.

Duke Miles

Vanderbilt's second-leading scorer who has missed the last five games due to injury.

Frankie Collins

Another Vanderbilt player who has been out since December 17th, with the team adjusting his treatment and rehab plan in hopes of getting him back soon.

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What they’re saying

“Duke's attacking his rehab. He's doing workouts and things like that. He's competitive. He wants to get back as being a great teammate. I think we'll have him back soon.”

— Mark Byington, Head Coach (Sports Illustrated)

“With Frankie, we changed things up with his treatment and his rehab plans. We're hoping this kind of change up helps him out. It's a little bit uncertain with him, but we're hoping to get him back.”

— Mark Byington, Head Coach (Sports Illustrated)

What’s next

Vanderbilt will return to the court on Wednesday to play Missouri, followed by a matchup against Tennessee next weekend.

The takeaway

Vanderbilt has managed to win five of their last six games without star guard Duke Miles, but getting him back soon will be crucial as they continue their push for the SEC title. The team is also hopeful of getting another injured player, Frankie Collins, back in the lineup in the near future as well.