Northwestern Suspends Guard JerShon Cobb for 2012-13 Season

Northwestern University's athletic department announced Friday that guard JerShon Cobb has been suspended for the entire 2012-13 season. The given cause was "violation of team policy."

The junior guard from Decatur, Ga. is still enrolled in classes and retains two years of eligibility, according to the school's release.

Coach Bill Carmody said, "JerShon has our complete support as he works to fulfill those expectations and we look forward to having him rejoin the program in a full capacity in the future."

Cobb averaged 7.1 points and 1.4 steals in slightly more than 20 minutes per game last season. An afterthought early on in his sophomore season, Cobb struggled with injuries through early conference games, missing 12 in all last year.

By season's end, however, Cobb was in a groove. He scored a career-high 13 points against Iowa, then shattered both that and his rebounding high with 24 and eight against Minnesota in the Big Ten tournament.

Following that with 19 points against Akron in the first round of the NIT, Cobb appeared to be positioning himself for a major role in the post-John Shurna Wildcat rotation.

However, backcourt depth still may not be a huge problem for Carmody's squad. In addition to veterans Reggie Hearn and Alex Marcotullio, the Wildcats will add former three-star recruit Tre Demps, who redshirted last season after shoulder surgery.

Even with Demps on board, though, Cobb's loss will have its effect on a team still struggling to break a 74-year streak of zero NCAA tournament appearances.

Follow @4QuartersRadio