Coble needs surgery; won't be easy road

After consulting with several health professionals, including a pair of foot specialists, Northwestern senior forward Kevin Coble has no choice but to undergo season-ending surgery to fix the mild Lisfranc fracture in his left foot.

Coble said Friday that such surgery would keep him off the court for four months, but that doesn't even take into account the rehab time necessary to return to action.

Coble also mentioned on Friday that he'd be interested in taking a redshirt year and returning for the 2010-11 season, but it's important to note that Lisfranc surgery isn't a slam dunk.

According to a page I found on footphysicians.com, there are additional issues involved with Lisfranc injuries. From http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/lisfranc_injuries.htm:

"Complications can and often do arise following Lisfranc injuries. A possible early complication following the injury is compartment syndrome, in which pressure builds up within the tissues of the foot, requiring immediate surgery to prevent tissue damage. A build-up of pressure could damage the nerves, blood vessels, and muscles in the foot.

Arthritis and problems with foot alignment may develop. In most cases, arthritis develops several months or longer following a Lisfranc injury, requiring additional treatment."

With this in mind, it makes sense that Coble, who busted his butt in the offseason to become stronger and better-conditioned than ever before, offered this quote in a statement:

“My plans are to be with the team throughout the season and I wish them success this year. I ask that our fans keep me and my family in your prayers, while continuing your support of Wildcat Basketball.”

With Coble's 15.5 points and 4.9 rebounds and senior swingman Jeff Ryan (torn ACL in left knee) out for the year, here's how NU's rotation shakes out:

Starters:
PG Juice Thompson
G Jeremy Nash
F Drew Crawford
F John Shurna
C Luka Mirkovic

Bench (in order of my presumed Carmody Comfortability Index)
F Ivan Peljusic
C Kyle Rowley
F Mike Capocci
F/C Davide Curletti
G Alex Marcotullio
G Nick Fruendt

The key guys here are Capocci (Glenbard East), Marcotullio and Fruendt (Batavia). At least one of the three has to be able to deliver solid minutes at the 2 or 3 -- not that NU lists players at such conventional slots.

Basically, NU has two guards who bring up the ball and then two other guys who face the basket at the forwards. Thompson, Nash and Crawford can play the guards, but Marcotullio and Fruendt are probably the only other guys who can do it...and Fruendt might be more of a small forward type at this point.

This is where Ryan's injury hurts NU in a larger manner than his career averages of 4.0 points and 2.2 rebounds might suggest. Though 6-foot-6, he could play guard both offensively and defensively for the 'Cats. He was particularly adept at making the Princeton offense flow correctly.

LW