Ivan Peljusic News

NU freshman guard Alex Marcotullio had a strong showing Wednesday night. Ray Whitehouse/The Daily Northwestern Moving on without seniors Kevin Coble and Jeff Ryan proved to be as difficult as anticipated.

Nam Y. Huh / Associated Press Butler's Matt Howard drives against Northwestern's Ivan Peljusic during a 67-54 win on Wednesday.

Considering the season-ending injuries to senior forwards Kevin Coble and Jeff Ryan , as well as senior guard Jeremy Nash's breathing problems, Northwestern has been a magnet for misfortune.

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.

No one believes in you. Your season is over and it's barely even started. Your leading scorer and rebounder from last year is out for the season after opting for foot surgery .

The 6-8 senior forward met with the media before the Wildcats opened their season with a 77-55 victory Friday against Northern Illinois before a crowd of 4,057 at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

On the verge of what was supposed to be the best season in school history, Northwestern lost its best player.

Bill Carmody keeps saying his 10th Northwestern team features unprecedented depth, one reason some have predicted the Wildcats will earn the school's first NCAA Tournament berth.

Last year, Northwestern had to lean heavily on its freshmen to provide a strong post presence.

Northwestern finished in ninth place in the Big Ten. But with the possible exception of Michigan , which nearly reached the Sweet Sixteen in its first NCAA appearance since 1998, nobody in the league enjoyed a bigger, better rise than the Wildcats.

Northwestern finished in ninth place in the Big Ten. But with the possible exception of Michigan , which nearly reached the Sweet Sixteen in its first NCAA appearance since 1998, nobody in the league enjoyed a bigger, better rise than the Wildcats.