Wait 'til next year for Coble?

Northwestern senior Kevin Coble just met with us before the Northern Illinois-NU opener and laid out his options.

1) The initial diagnosis is a mild Lisfranc mid-foot fracture. Here's what Wikipedia has to say about that. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisfranc_fracture

2) He's visiting a second specialist on Monday to determine whether surgery is necessary on his left foot. It sounds like the first specialist suggested surgery, but everyone wants to be sure.

3) If he needs surgery, it would be four months before he could do anything on a court. Though he's on target to graduate in June, he's more than willing to redshirt and return next year.

4) If he doesn't need surgery, it would be a minimum of 4-6 weeks before he could get on a court. So it would be a mid-January return at best.

5) He could start with the rehab route, then decide in December or January that it's not working and go ahead and get the surgery.

I'd give you quotes, but I'm out in the arena and the band's too loud to hear my headphones. I'll bring in the quotes either at halftime or postgame. Stay tuned.

LW