coolhandgopher
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Obviously not for this year-if not for Iowa, it seems likely Northwestern would finish in the BT cellar. However, let's assume that Coble comes back to play next season for Northwestern and is healthy. A few things to consider:
* Even with Coble healthy, the consensus seemed to be that the Wildcats would finish eighth, maybe seventh in the strong Big Ten this season; finishing eighth would likely but them on the wrong side of the NCAA bubble.
* While the Big Ten is arguably at its strongest since the glory days of the '80s, many stalwarts will be using up their eligibility at Michigan St (Morgan), Minnesota (Westbrook, DJ), Wisconsin (Hughes, Bohannon), Michigan (Sims); in addition some very talented underclassmen such as Evan Turner, Manny Harris, Jajuan Johnson, Robbie Hummel, E'Twuan Moore, Talor Battle, William Buford and Kalin Lucas could be early entry candidates for the NBA draft. It's unlikely that next season the Big 10 will be as strong overall as this year.
* Besides Coble, the other two seniors on Northwestern are Jeremy Nash and Jeff Ryan who didn't contribute much to this point and who each seem to be facing their own health issues. The nucleus of Michael Thompson and John Shurna and the rest of the team along with a highly regarded wing recruit (name escapes me) should be on board next season for the Wildcats.
So, if Coble returns and returns healthy, he would join senior Thompson, junior Shurna, most of the rest of the Wildcats with at least one talented freshman joining the fold to take their shot in a still challenging, but not nearly as daunting Big Ten as this season. Although the talent level for many of the other teams will be replenished with wonderful talent, the Wildcats will be one of the more veteran teams and their style should frustrate that youth and perhaps sneak out a few unexpected wins in Big Ten play. And then, perhaps Northwestern will finally break their NCAA cherry.
(On another note. . .Gopher fans may be excited about '10-11, but Illinois fans are probably already looking into reserving tickets for the Final Four site. They lose virtually no one off this year's team and they welcome on board a really solid freshman group, on top of a stellar freshman class this year. The future looks bright in Champaign).
* Even with Coble healthy, the consensus seemed to be that the Wildcats would finish eighth, maybe seventh in the strong Big Ten this season; finishing eighth would likely but them on the wrong side of the NCAA bubble.
* While the Big Ten is arguably at its strongest since the glory days of the '80s, many stalwarts will be using up their eligibility at Michigan St (Morgan), Minnesota (Westbrook, DJ), Wisconsin (Hughes, Bohannon), Michigan (Sims); in addition some very talented underclassmen such as Evan Turner, Manny Harris, Jajuan Johnson, Robbie Hummel, E'Twuan Moore, Talor Battle, William Buford and Kalin Lucas could be early entry candidates for the NBA draft. It's unlikely that next season the Big 10 will be as strong overall as this year.
* Besides Coble, the other two seniors on Northwestern are Jeremy Nash and Jeff Ryan who didn't contribute much to this point and who each seem to be facing their own health issues. The nucleus of Michael Thompson and John Shurna and the rest of the team along with a highly regarded wing recruit (name escapes me) should be on board next season for the Wildcats.
So, if Coble returns and returns healthy, he would join senior Thompson, junior Shurna, most of the rest of the Wildcats with at least one talented freshman joining the fold to take their shot in a still challenging, but not nearly as daunting Big Ten as this season. Although the talent level for many of the other teams will be replenished with wonderful talent, the Wildcats will be one of the more veteran teams and their style should frustrate that youth and perhaps sneak out a few unexpected wins in Big Ten play. And then, perhaps Northwestern will finally break their NCAA cherry.
(On another note. . .Gopher fans may be excited about '10-11, but Illinois fans are probably already looking into reserving tickets for the Final Four site. They lose virtually no one off this year's team and they welcome on board a really solid freshman group, on top of a stellar freshman class this year. The future looks bright in Champaign).