Earlier in November, Northwestern senior and second team all-Big Ten performer Kevin Coble broke his foot in such a way that surgery was required, ending his season. The story made its rounds on the blogs, and was still being talked about today, as Northwestern is visited by Butler.
Compare that to yesterday, when news broke that Lewis Jackson, the starting point guard for Purdue, had suffered a similar injury and will require surgery that could keep him out for the season as well.
Have you heard about that yet? We did link to an AP report in this morning's dump.
Lewis Jackson could miss the season after under going foot surgery.(photo credit: Bleacher Report)
But where are the big guns on this? Reactions from Parrish,
I understand why the Coble story got so much play; Northwestern is the only major conference school that has not made the NCAA Tournament, but with Coble anchoring the team this year, a lot of people were predicting that the Wildcats would make the dance. Not only was it a feels-so-good-its-destined-to-be-a-movie storyline, but our hero - Coble - was a stand-up guy. Remember two years ago when he made the decision to miss the first semester of basketball to be with his mother, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, in his native Scottsdale?
So yeah, when it comes to compelling journalism, Coble's injury makes for a better read.
But when it comes to basketball, the injury to Jackson is just as, if not more, significant than Coble's.
Purdue is a top ten team, a Big Ten favorite, and a potential Final Four team. With Robbie Hummell, Keaton Grant, and Chris Kramer all healthy, and E'Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson primed for big junior years, it is easy to see why.
One of the issues Purdue had coming into the season, however, was depth. Beyond the five I mentioned and Jackson, the Boilermakers may not have an impact player on their roster. Ryne Smith is a shooter, and Sandi Marcius is a tough, 6'9" Croatian expected to be the first big man off the bench when he recovers from injury.
No where on that list do you see a point guard. Sure, Keaton Grant and E'Twaun Moore were solid sharing the role two years ago (before Jackson got to Purdue) and they could probably do an adequate job filling in this year.
But running the point is not where either of them are the most effective.
Moore is at his best when he is allowed to roam the perimeter and run off of screens. He can score, and is a better player when he is allowed to focus on doing just that, as opposed trying to run an offensive system. It is the same with Grant. An effective combo-guard that can play both the point and the two, he is at his best playing the role of spark plug off the bench.
With Moore, Grant, and Jackson available, it gives Painter a versatile array of line-ups at his disposal.
Without Jackson, this team does not have a true point guard on their roster.
Don't believe me? Then chew on this: Kelsey Barlow is expected to be the guy that gets Jackson's minutes and spot in the rotation. He is a 6'5" small forward that Painter nearly redshirted this season, and now will be asked to play minutes at the point.
Jackson brought with him a dimension that Purdue no longer has. He is a lightening quick point guard that can get into the lane, break a press, lead the occasional break, and create in the half court. His quickness with the ball cannot be replaced with the guys that Painter has.
That said, the key to Purdue's offense this season is getting the ball to their scorers (Hummell, Moore, Johnson) in a position that they can score. If Barlow, Grant, and company can do that, than the Boilermakers will still be a player in the Big Ten.
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