At the start of the season, Northwestern coach Bill Carmody was concerned about big-man depth because NU?s only centers are Luka Mirkovic and Davide Curletti.
But now the major problem is the other four spots.
Alex Marcotullio won?t make the trip to Madison for Wednesday?s game against Wisconsin because of the concussion he suffered against Michigan State. He didn?t practice Tuesday and will remain day-to-day. At least that gives him time to rest his sprained big toe.
JerShon Cobb?s surgically repaired hip continues to give him pain, so he?s doubtful. Shoulder surgery ended Tre Demps? season.
So the Wildcats are down to two backups ? Mirkovic and senior swingman Nick Fruendt, a good shooter and decent ballhandler but a potential liability on defense.
?You can only play five (guys), right?? Carmody said Tuesday. ?I have no choices. As a coach, you just concentrate on what you?re doing and don?t have to worry as much about subbing.?
If there?s an injury or a player fouls out, Carmody said he would consider burning the redshirt year of Mike Turner, a 6-foot-8 forward from Chicago?s Laboratory High.
?We still want to win (this season), you know?? Carmody said. ?How many games do we have left ? 15? That?s still a lot of games.?
Carmody gave this scouting report on Turner: ?He?s pretty good at everything but not great at anything. He can dribble a little bit, make a shot and he?s working on being a decent defender. On the perimeter, he?s more like (John) Shurna out there, a little bit of a struggle. But he?s working and getting better. He can put the ball in the basket. He?s a very good 15- 16-foot jump shooter. That?s good.?
But now the major problem is the other four spots.
Alex Marcotullio won?t make the trip to Madison for Wednesday?s game against Wisconsin because of the concussion he suffered against Michigan State. He didn?t practice Tuesday and will remain day-to-day. At least that gives him time to rest his sprained big toe.
JerShon Cobb?s surgically repaired hip continues to give him pain, so he?s doubtful. Shoulder surgery ended Tre Demps? season.
So the Wildcats are down to two backups ? Mirkovic and senior swingman Nick Fruendt, a good shooter and decent ballhandler but a potential liability on defense.
?You can only play five (guys), right?? Carmody said Tuesday. ?I have no choices. As a coach, you just concentrate on what you?re doing and don?t have to worry as much about subbing.?
If there?s an injury or a player fouls out, Carmody said he would consider burning the redshirt year of Mike Turner, a 6-foot-8 forward from Chicago?s Laboratory High.
?We still want to win (this season), you know?? Carmody said. ?How many games do we have left ? 15? That?s still a lot of games.?
Carmody gave this scouting report on Turner: ?He?s pretty good at everything but not great at anything. He can dribble a little bit, make a shot and he?s working on being a decent defender. On the perimeter, he?s more like (John) Shurna out there, a little bit of a struggle. But he?s working and getting better. He can put the ball in the basket. He?s a very good 15- 16-foot jump shooter. That?s good.?
