Freshman Jimmy Maley’s departure from the Northwestern men’s basketball squad has left teammates sad, but understanding.

“I love my freshman class,” guard T.J. Parker said. “I wish Jim could still be with us.

“But he was ready to stop. He’ll still be here at Northwestern, so he’ll still be our friend.”

Parker said Maley had been talking to his teammates and parents about leaving before telling coach Bill Carmody of his decision on Monday.

“He just didn’t love the game anymore,” Parker said.

Maley and Carmody were not available for comment.

Junior Jitim Young said he was surprised Maley left.

“He had great potential,” Young said. “I saw a lot of good coming out of Jim and what he could do for the program.

“A lot of people have talent, but this game isn’t for everybody.”

Maley’s departure is the second on the team in two months. Sophomore Thomas Soltau left in early January.

The two absences have hit the Cats’ roster hard. There are now only nine players available for games and practices. The team couldn’t even scrimmage five-on-five.

But the players were more concerned about Maley than the team.

“It’s sad going into the locker room and Jim’s face isn’t the first that you see anymore,” Young said.

ACHES AND PAINS: The ailing Wildcats couldn’t have gotten a better time for break from Big Ten competition.

Two Cats — sophomore Vedran Vukusic and freshman Ivan Tolic — have been out all year with injuries, and several others are playing through pain right now.

Senior Aaron Jennings hit the deck hard twice in NU’s 73-61 loss to Illinois on Saturday. After the game the center had an ice pack wrapped around his right foot.

“He sort of sprained his foot, right on top,” Carmody said.

Jennings has shot around, but avoided any hard running in practice this week.

Carmody said he didn’t know if Jennings would play Saturday against Penn State.

Forward Winston Blake’s bum right ankle, injured in November, has been affecting his play, despite the senior’s claim he’s 100 percent.

“He’s not running the same way,” Carmody said. “But he’s still practicing hard.”

Blake went 1 of 7 from the field against Illinois for two points.

Young’s injured left-middle finger is still causing the guard some discomfort.

“He plays all out,” Carmody said “But you see him wincing a little bit.

“It’d probably be best for him to take a month off after the season and rest, but I know that won’t happen with him.”

Young scored seven points in the loss to Illinois. He will keep his finger wrapped for the rest of the year.

SURFACING SEACAT: Freshman Evan Seacat hit his first Big Ten 2-pointer Feb 19 in NU’s 73-61 loss to Minnesota.

Prior to his last second put back from 15 feet, all 28 of Seacat’s field goal attempts during conference play had been from beyond the arc.

“The offense is either set up to shoot layups or 3s,” Seacat said. “And I’m more of an outside guy.”

The sharp-shooting guard recorded five points in a career-high 19 minutes against the Golden Gophers.

“It was really fun to get in there and try to contribute,” Seacat said.

Of Seacat’s 62 shots this year, 56 have been from long range.

“Coach doesn’t say, ‘Evan, you need to hit a 3,'” Seacat said. “But it’s there though, and if I’m open, I just shoot.”

The freshman has connected on 32 percent of his 3-pointers.

Seacat’s minutes have seen a jump since he became more comfortable with ball handling and more familiar with the NU offense.

“I still need to work on my dribbling,” Seacat said. “Playing at the level I did in high school, I didn’t really have to worry about getting the ball stolen. That’s not the case in the Big Ten.”