Injury Bugs Bite

For 25 minutes everything seemed wonderful. Amy Jaeschke had 19 points and was looking like the star-studded phenom everyone predicted. Then, she went for a blocked shot. Instantly, all those expectations came crashing down with her left hand, which ended up broken for 4-6 weeks.

But Amy Jaeschke isn't alone on the bench. Actually, it's a little cramped. Northwestern's projected starting point guard, Beth Marshall, is also out 4-6 weeks with a left femoral stress fracture. F/C Julie Bielawski has lower back issues (day-to-day), guard Lakhiyia Hicks is recovering from hip surgery (day-to-day), and of course Kristin Cartwright is red-shirting the season after tearing her ACL. Knock on wood, but it's a miracle K-Mac is doing well despite her repaired labrum.

I didn't expect greatness from the Wildcats this year. But I did see full-scale improvements being made. With just Cartwright not contributing, Northwestern could still compete. But now with Jaeschke and Marshall out for most, if not all, the non-conference games, this season could be worse than last.

At the risk of hyperbole, Jaeschke's injury is like losing Kobe Bryant or LeBron James. Not because that's how talented she is, but because the offense was geared solely around her. Combs made no secret about this year's gameplan: get the ball to Amy. Her cousin did a nice job filling in initially, but she doesn't have the natural post skills, height, or scoring ability that Amy does.

As a result, we're seeing the same team as always. Guards taking outside shot after outside shot, just chucking it up there without wasting any time off the clock. They look desperate. And that's coming through in Stutz, Bibbs, and Eckhart's inability to either make their shots or find K-Mac or El-Jae down low (does that nickname work? I like it).

Kristin's out all year. Beth and Amy are out till December at least. It's far from ideal, but the losses shouldn't change the gameplan. Replace the missing pieces, don't start a new puzzle. Eckhart needs to manage the game like Beth did, and El-Jae needs to get the ball in the paint like Amy would have. They won't do as well, probably, but it gives you a much better chance than running around without a system.

They're only 1-3 right now. No need to panic...yet. Playing Wednesday in Atlanta vs. Georgia Tech will be tough. But they have to Loyola at home.