Nov. 9, 2005

Everyone is excited about college basketball this time of year. It is tip-off time, baby, and each school believes it can have a good season. The balls are bouncing and there is thrill in the air with the beginning of a new campaign.

Some schools have already suffered from the injury bug. It's not the way they wanted to start the season, but it is a fact of life, part of the game.

At Indiana, the Hoosiers have received a double-dose of bad news. Forward DJ White was a freshman sensation last year and he was ready to have a big season in 2005-06. Combine White with All-Marco Polo star Marco Killingsworth, a transfer from Auburn and Mike Davis has quite the 1-2 punch.

White was basically by himself on the interior last season. Davis felt both White and Killingsworth could compete for Big Ten Player of the Year ... that's how good these guys are.

Unfortunately, White suffered a foot injury and will miss six weeks. That will give some other players a chance to get some minutes. Injuries can be devastating and when you lose one key player, it is usually at least 20 percent of your arsenal.

The Hoosiers also lost guard A.J. Ratliff with a broken thumb. Injuries can affect practice time as Indiana tries to get used to several new players on the court.

Look what has happened across the country. Villanova forward Curtis Sumpter suffered a major knee injury that will sideline him for the season. At Louisville, David Padgett and Juan Palacios both have foot injuries that have sidelined them.

Miami lost guard Anthony Harris for three to six weeks with a hairline fracture in his foot. UCLA has had several players hampered by injuries, including guard Jordan Farmar, who has been slowed by a groin problem. California's Martin Smith suffered a stress fracture of his pelvis while Rod Benson has a stress fracture in his heel. Gonzaga's Erroll Knight has been bothered by a sore left knee.

Watch out for that injury bugaboo.

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in 1979. Send a question for Vitale for possible use on ESPNEWS.