:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24027051/20120225_jel_ax5_665.0.jpg)
There was no reason to believe that the Dons' overtime loss to Idaho State on the 18th would be the last time Cody Doolin would take the floor. After all, the senior point guard hadn't missed a game in his career. He was absent for the two following games, at Montana and Oregon. Today we've learned he will miss the remainder of the season.
San Francisco athletics released a statement today stating that Doolin has left the program to deal with personal issues, though he will remain enrolled at the university.
Doolin's name already appears near the top of some career statistical categories at San Francisco. His 451 career assists rank second all-time and he's third in steals with 154.
A starter for each of the 103 games of his career through the Idaho State game, Doolin's absence will likely derail the team's season. Last season the Dons had to deal with the loss of nine players, six of whom transferred out of the program, but Doolin led the team to a respectable 15-16 record.
Personally, he was my favorite player on the Dons over the past few seasons. He wasn't flashy but he played the point guard position as well as anyone in the nation.
His assist rate as a junior and senior has been in the top-50 nationally. He's not just a great passer but a scorer, and a clutch one at that. He put up 28 points against Saint Mary's in the 2012 WCC Tournament semis. Earlier this year, in a close, two point loss to Nevada, Doolin did everything he possibly could to keep the Dons in the game. He scored many of his career high 33 points in the final minutes, on a flurry of old-school three point plays.
Doolin earned WCC all-freshman team honors and was an honorable mention as a sophomore and junior. This year he was named to the preseason all-WCC team.
Tim Derksen moved into the starting lineup for the Montana and Oregon games. Matt Glover and Avry Holmes will be charged with filling the void at point guard left by Doolin. This is a young San Francisco team that just lost its veteran leader. Going forward, this will give invaluable experience to the young guards. For now though, things aren't looking good on The Hilltop.