Law Out for the Season

[NJCat83588]

Shoulder surgery according to the NU Hoops site.

Too bad for Vic. Hope he has a complete recovery.

http://www.nusports.com/news/2015/11/11/MBB_1111150134.aspx

 

[Ubermorgen]

Wow! This could change things!

 

[VirginiaWildcat]

Incredible. Best wishes to Vic and a quick and healthy recovery! Good thing we've got a bit of depth this year. Tap---time to shine!!

 

[Hungry Jack]

Good grief.

Torn labrum per Twitter. That would certainly knock you out for a while.

Too bad. I was expecting a big leap from him.

 

[PURPLECAT88]

It's always something with this team. Damn!

Hope to see him return to full strength next year with three years in front of him.

 

[rwhitney014]

Sickening and unbelievable.

 

[Max_Power]

God hates Northwestern Basketball.

 

[lou v]

Shoulder surgery according to the NU Hoops site.

Too bad for Vic. Hope he has a complete recovery.

http://www.nusports.com/news/2015/11/11/MBB_1111150134.aspx

 

[hdhntr1]

Good grief.

Torn labrum per Twitter. That would certainly knock you out for a while.

Too bad. I was expecting a big leap from him.

Indicated that it was a hard decision indicating that maybe it was a while ago and that he finally made the decision that he could not go with it. Is this one of those 18 month full recoveries? Says 4-6 months but is that full recovery or enough to start to play again at a limited level.

Obviously too bad as I was looking forward to watching him develop. But as others have said, we have a level of depth that we have not had in the past and it is not the season ending event that it likely would have been in the past.

 

[Fitz51]

I hate everything. Is there seriously anything tougher in sports fandom than being a Northwestern basketball fan?

 

[JournCat]

the toughest part of this is for Vic. Here's to a speedy recovery. Have to worry about the loss of momentum and having to come back next year after not playing any competitive basketball for more than a year.

For the team this year, this probably pushes Lindsey or Falzon (or maybe even Taphorn?) into the starting lineup next to Lumpkin. The good news is CC has multiple options here.

 

[nu greek]

I hate everything. Is there seriously anything tougher in sports fandom than being a Northwestern basketball fan?

None! Every year something befalls the program. Damn!!!

 

[Kelly_32]

I hate everything. Is there seriously anything tougher in sports fandom than being a Northwestern basketball fan?

Yes. Being an Indiana football fan. My Saturdays suck.

Hoping Law has a smooth recovery. Feel awful for him.

 

[CappyNU]

As soon as they were talking about an offseason shoulder issue, I immediately had flashbacks to Crawford...really sucks for the team, but everything is still achievable, just with a greater degree of difficulty.

 

[hdhntr1]

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I was figuring a run for the NIT this year and that goal is likely still in reach. Disappointing but does not derail the long term plan. And Law will likely be back stronger and hungrier.

 

[Figrating]

the toughest part of this is for Vic. Here's to a speedy recovery. Have to worry about the loss of momentum and having to come back next year after not playing any competitive basketball for more than a year.

Hard as it may be for him, I'd say the fans feel it equally - crushing disappointment. Was really looking forward to watching him take his next step with the team.

 

[hdhntr1]

As soon as they were talking about an offseason shoulder issue, I immediately had flashbacks to Crawford...really sucks for the team, but everything is still achievable, just with a greater degree of difficulty.

I have not been to this board much during the last few months. Was there an indication of off season shoulder issues? Any idea of the cause? Crawford did come back pretty well.

 

[Straus2018]

Collins mentioned at media day that Law had some shoulder soreness, but there was no indication it was this serious.

 

[VirginiaWildcat]

I was figuring a run for the NIT this year and that goal is likely still in reach. Disappointing but does not derail the long term plan. And Law will likely be back stronger and hungrier.

Yes. It's not like we were hinging all our hopes and dreams on this season. The long-term situation is still there, and honestly, I think the NIT is still very possible this year. We've got some other good players.

 

[Medill90]

A lot more Scottie and a lot less zone.

Feel bad for Vic but hope he uses his fifth year to put four quarters of graduate school behind him.

 

[Tasmanian Devil]

Yes. Being an Indiana football fan. My Saturdays suck

Ditto

At least NU got smart and hired Collins. Wilson is worth about 1/2 of what he thinks he is

 

[Straus2018]

Here's the quickie story:

Law out for the season

 

[T_Levine]

Let's look at the bright side.

The 3/small 4 could be a position of depth for this team.

He will get a redshirt and be even stronger.

the redshirt will also balance out some future recruiting classes

Lastly, I think stories like this are actually good recruiting tools. Collins can point to a recruit and say, nothing is guaranteed. Top 100 recruit, major injury, great Northwestern education and family....

 

[Hungry Jack]

Indicated that it was a hard decision indicating that maybe it was a while ago and that he finally made the decision that he could not go with it. Is this one of those 18 month full recoveries? Says 4-6 months but is that full recovery or enough to start to play again at a limited level.

Obviously too bad as I was looking forward to watching him develop. But as others have said, we have a level of depth that we have not had in the past and it is not the season ending event that it likely would have been in the past.

I had a full clean-up that included debriding a cuff tear, trimming the labrum, removing bone spurs, and shaving the acromium. I was swimming in a few months, but strength training (limited) took about 6. It took 18 months to feel "whole" again--or at least stop encountering setbacks and feeling limited.

 

[Wildcatfootball12]

There is no happiness

 

[lou v]

I was figuring a run for the NIT this year and that goal is likely still in reach. Disappointing but does not derail the long term plan. And Law will likely be back stronger and hungrier.

I kinda think the opposite. I thought this year might be their best shot in the foreseeable future, with Olah and Demps in their senior years and a weaker (than usual) Big Ten. Olah is the key, to me. I know he is often the whipping boy around here, but he can dominate at times and I don't know if NU will get another big body, 7-footer like that.

 

[lou v]

I kinda think the opposite. I thought this year might be their best shot in the foreseeable future, with Olah and Demps in their senior years and a weaker (than usual) Big Ten. Olah is the key, to me. I know he is often the whipping boy around here, but he can dominate at times and I don't know if NU will get another big body, 7-footer like that.

I forgot to mention Demps' value as the go-to guy. Last year, when they needed a bucket at the end of games, it was Tre or...well, no one, really. He was the only guy that could create a shot in crunch time. I was hoping that BMac or Lindsey (or Law, until today) or someone else could develop into a go-to guy, but that's by no means a sure thing.

 

[HawkCat]

I had a full clean-up that included debriding a cuff tear, trimming the labrum, removing bone spurs, and shaving the acromium. I was swimming in a few months, but strength training (limited) took about 6. It took 18 months to feel "whole" again--or at least stop encountering setbacks and feeling limited.

Looking for positives here, it is reported to be his left (non-shooting) shoulder. Maybe that will minimize the long-term impact on his game.

 

[NJCat83588]

Looking for positives here, it is reported to be his left (non-shooting) shoulder. Maybe that will minimize the long-term impact on his game.

That is a bit of good news, indeed!

 

[JournCat]

I forgot to mention Demps' value as the go-to guy. Last year, when they needed a bucket at the end of games, it was Tre or...well, no one, really. He was the only guy that could create a shot in crunch time. I was hoping that BMac or Lindsey (or Law, until today) or someone else could develop into a go-to guy, but that's by no means a sure thing.

This even more than the good points about Olah. I can't remember the last time NU had a guy who could create against good teams at the end of games. Maybe Coble. I wouldn't even put Shurna in that category because top defenders could stifle him. Anyway, hope is not lost for this season. The biggest hit to NU is long-term, because Law was -- and still is -- a prime candidate to be the centerpiece of our offense after this season.

 

[hdhntr1]

This even more than the good points about Olah. I can't remember the last time NU had a guy who could create against good teams at the end of games. Maybe Coble. I wouldn't even put Shurna in that category because top defenders could stifle him. Anyway, hope is not lost for this season. The biggest hit to NU is long-term, because Law was -- and still is -- a prime candidate to be the centerpiece of our offense after this season.

But this gives us an extra year of him as potentially a 5th year senior. Why is this a hit long term? If anything it helps. If he had remained healthy and continued improving, even the possibility of going pro after year 3. Now that is not going to happen. He could still do a 5th year SR transfer but would would have him as a 4th year at least and could have him as a 5th year. Not a bad dilema

 

[hdhntr1]

I kinda think the opposite. I thought this year might be their best shot in the foreseeable future, with Olah and Demps in their senior years and a weaker (than usual) Big Ten. Olah is the key, to me. I know he is often the whipping boy around here, but he can dominate at times and I don't know if NU will get another big body, 7-footer like that.

While it is true that Olah provides big body and a true 7 footer, the general way the center position has been going a lot of places is the smaller (6'10" more mobile) guy at the position. Collins looks like he is doing well in recruiting that kind of guy. Add to that the 5th year senior JVZ and I am OK as other than Olah, he looks like the best center we have had since Esch. I think CCC will do just fine with the position

 

[Ubermorgen]

If you've seen the reports coming out of today's basketball practice, Collins told reporters that this decision was made after the Quincy game. Law was apparently in a lot of pain.

 

[Deeringfish]

Shoulder surgery according to the NU Hoops site.

Too bad for Vic. Hope he has a complete recovery.

http://www.nusports.com/news/2015/11/11/MBB_1111150134.aspx

I feel bad for Vic. it won't be a fun season. There is some up side if you can take the long view. He will get a fifth year at a great institution, he will gain discipline and maturity during his recovery (not saying he was undisciplined only that every year young men that age can really grow in character), he will be stronger and wiser during his fifth year adding to his NBA status.
He could end up being THE team leader as a fifth year on a great team.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Looking for positives here, it is reported to be his left (non-shooting) shoulder. Maybe that will minimize the long-term impact on his game.

Shoulders are a (female dog), but I don't think he will need nearly the time I needed. I had work done on the actual joint surface in addition to soft tissue repair.

It's hard to say anything definite about Law's injury, but if he had it for awhile and was playing through the discomfort, it's probably not a major reconstruction (e.g. Chris Carpenter, the Cardinals pitcher, had his labrum stapled back onto his shoulder bone, and missed 2 full years when one of them didn't take. He recovered to win a Cy Young Award).. So 6-9 months for Law might be reasonable.

The issue for Law might be playing defense and perhaps rebounding, where rapid outstretching movements of that arm will extend it fully across the range of motion. The flexibility and strength of the joint will be tested. That's the crux of the recovery.

 

[NJcatsfan]

Unreal. We 'Cats fans always brace for disaster, and disaster never fails to strike. We simply aren't allowed to have nice things, it seems -- and the new regime isn't exempt from the hoops gods' enduring fury. Sigh.

All the best to Law & fingers crossed for a full recovery. Hope the rest of the guys can step up.

 

[Carlos Thomas]

I believe Tre Demps had the same injury his Freshman Year in August (right shoulder). They decided in December to redshirt him. He fully recovered. This is unfortunate for him and Northwestern Basketball. Vic came on strong at the end of the year. Northwestern does not have many people that can make their own shot.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Let's look at the bright side.

The 3/small 4 could be a position of depth for this team.

He will get a redshirt and be even stronger.

the redshirt will also balance out some future recruiting classes

Lastly, I think stories like this are actually good recruiting tools. Collins can point to a recruit and say, nothing is guaranteed. Top 100 recruit, major injury, great Northwestern education and family....

Hope he has a speedy recovery

 

[Wildcatfootball12]

Kevin Coble still has another year of eligibility

(Laughing at my own joke through the tears)

 

[Sec.112]

I'm pretty surprised by the doom and gloom.

If you're a relative of Vic Law's, I can understand the absolute anguish of some of these posts. But to try to be objective, the success of this team was nowhere near dependent of the improvement of Law. Demps and Olah ... that's where this team is going. I might even place the improvement of McIntosh, and the adjustment of Falzon on the list of importance before Law's talent ceiling. (Yes, this can be debated.)

If there is one position of strength in this group, it's at the 3. And considering what we've seen and what the coaches have said about Lindsey's improvement, this might be an unfortunate injury that the team can absorb.

I love Law. I love what he has the potential to bring on the court. I love what he's already brought to the program, and I look forward to seeing it next year. But I don't think it's anywhere near impossible for this group to have similar success without him.