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Seton Hall guard Haralds Karlis to play despite groin hernia

Durand Johnson, Haralds Karlis

Pittsburgh’s Durand Johnson (5) tries to steal the ball as Seton Hall’s Haralds Karlis (13) drives to the hoop in the NCAA college basketball game between Pittsburgh and Seton Hall , Monday, Feb. 4, 2013 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

AP

The last thing Seton Hall head coach Kevin Willard needs on his plate is another injury to address, given the recent loss of sophomore forward Brandon Mobley for the remainder of the season and the Pirates’ overall lack of depth.

However the Pirates (13-14, 2-12 Big East), who have lost eight straight games, have another injury to deal with as sophomore guard Haralds Karlis has been playing with a groin hernia. Willard spoke about Karlis’ injury during Thursday’s Big East coaches teleconference, noting that Karlis will need surgery during the offseason.

Haralds Karlis injury: “(Groin) Hernia. Will have to have surgery at the end of the year. Not major surgery. Going to put mesh in there so it doesn’t pop out. As long as it doesn’t pop out dramatically, he’ll be OK.”

Karlis is averaging 3.2 points and 2.4 rebounds per game this season, and due to Seton Hall’s lack of front court depth he’s even had to play at the power forward position during Big East play.

In addition to Mobley’s season-ending shoulder surgery Seton Hall has lost Patrik Auda for the season with a broken foot, and both Aaron Geramipoor and Brian Oliver have missed significant stretches due to injury as well.

With those players either done for the year or unable to contribute much Seton Hall is down to junior wing Fuquan Edwin and centers Gene Teague and Kevin Johnson, hence the need for Karlis to play in the front court despite being 6-foot-5, 185 pounds.

Karlis played 28 minutes in Seton Hall’s 67-46 loss to No. 17 Marquette on Tuesday, scoring two points and grabbing five rebounds. Geramipoor (six minutes) and Oliver (16 minutes) both saw limited action on Tuesday night, and the hope is that those two will be able to add some much-needed depth as Seton Hall looks to end their losing streak.

“One of our biggest weaknesses, we don’t have the horses at the four spot,” Willard lamented following Tuesday’s game according to Jerry Carino of Gannett New Jersey. “When Brandon and Patrik were healthy, it was a different story. I give Haralds a lot of credit; he’s out there giving it his all. But when you’re battling teams like Marquette and Syracuse, it wears down on you.

“I think it’s wearing down on us more mentally than physically. Physically, we’re getting out-matched. It’s tough to keep battling when you’re so undersized.”

Next up for Seton Hall is a road game at No. 10 Louisville on Saturday afternoon.

Raphielle also writes for the NBE Basketball Report and can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.