[NU Sports] What is really going on?

[Alan Abrahamson]

I do not have any inside info about anything -- whether negative or positive
-- between Coble and Carmody.

Even so, the skeptical journalist in me reads this account, in particular
Carmody's comments, and has to wonder what is really going on.

I have edited it here for space, not context. The first ellipse replaces
Coble's statement. The second includes background material about
Northwestern's record last year, etc.

--



http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/news/story?id=5415336

 EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern's chances of reaching its first NCAA
tournament took a hit  Tuesday as forward Kevin Coble unexpectedly announced
he would not be returning to the team for his senior season.

 "Kevin came into my office yesterday and said he had decided he wasn't
going to play this year, and he wanted to finish his schooling and get his
degree from Northwestern," Northwestern coach Bill Carmody said. "Basically,
that's what it is. That's what he wants to do. I respect that. He's a grown
man."

 Coble, a 6-foot-8 senior, missed the entire 2009-2010 season after injuring
his left foot during a preseason practice. Coble had led the Wildcats in
scoring and rebounding during his first three seasons and was expected to
again play a key role in the upcoming season.

 ...

"He's a good player. I recognize that," Carmody said. "I think we have a
good team. The only player we lose from last year's team is Jeremy
Nash<http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=31550>,
who was important to us. I think our program is about developing guys. Some
of the younger guys have gotten better."

 Carmody also said he isn't giving up hope on making the NCAA tournament.

"It's another guy. It's a good player that's not going to be here," Carmody
said. "Last year we weren't far away. The last three weeks we kind of died a
little bit. I feel we're going to be better this year. We're optimistic as a
team."

 ...

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