If Welsh-Ryan Arena does get torn down in the NU athletics master plan, construction workers might just discover that it was built on top of an Indian burial ground. Or maybe they'll find the Hope Diamond. Or Egyptian mummies.
Because, seriously, the NU mens basketball program has to be cursed, or something. The latest blow came tonight, when incoming freshman guard Tre Demps posted on his Facebook account that he could miss six months after an MRI revealed that he would likely need surgery. That would effectively end any chance of him suiting up this season, as he would likely be redshirted.
Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune got the full scoop shortly after, reporting that Demps injured his left shoulder Wednesday while practicing against NBA players in LA. There is some optimism, however, as Demps told Greenstein that he might decide to rehab the shoulder the rest of this summer and postpone surgery until after the season. He will consult with his doctors and presumably the NU medical staff before deciding what to do.
Demps, a 6'2", 165-pound point guard whose father is GM of the New Orleans Hornets, was expected to tally significant minutes for the Wildcats, who are seeking to replace the invaluable Juice Thompson as the team's primary ball-handler. If Demps is indeed out for the year, the Wildcats' depth, never a strength, will take a blow, but fortunately, Demps plays at the one position where NU does have several options. Expect returning guards Alex Marcotullio and JerShon Cobb to take on the bulk of the minutes, with incoming freshman David Sobolewski also contributing.
Even so, this does reduce Carmody's options to use Cobb or Marcotullio to sub for Drew Crawford at small forward/swingman, if those two will now have to log heavy minutes at the guard positions.
But that's NU basketball. You can't ever count on a season going smoothly.