Northeastern Huskies
CAA (23-11, 12-6)
The Huskies were steady this season in the Colonial. They won 12 conference games and tied for first in the conference. They took out William & Mary, the CAA tournament’s No. 1 seed, to prevent them from going to their first-ever NCAA tournament. As a result the Huskies earn their first bid to the Big Dance since 1991. With a team that can shoot like they can, they can certainly play giant-killer.
Big Wins: 11/18 at Florida State (76-73), 12/31 at Richmond (58-57), 3/9 vs William & Mary (72-61)
Bad Losses: 1/19 Detroit (69-81), 1/28 at Drexel (60-65), 2/7 Delaware (68-73)
Coach: Bill Coen
Why They Can Surprise:
This team can hit shots – any kind of shot. They are 19th in the country in field goal percentage (48%). But the Huskies are most dangerous from three-point range. They shoot nearly 40% from there, and they can devastate their opponents with their long-range shooting. Northeastern is never out of a game. In the conference title game, every time William & Mary made a run, the Huskies would hit a huge three to stem the tide. They are a smart offensive team. Averaging over 14 assists per game, Northeastern plays a methodical perimeter game to help get guys open all over the court. David Walker is the team’s ironman. He averages 37 minutes a game and shoots 38% from three. Leading scorer Scott Eatherton helps add a dimension to their offense on the block. Northeastern will be able to stay with teams because of their hot shooting.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The main thing that will hurt Northeastern in the tournament is their lack of size. It is going to be difficult for them to compete in the paint with most Power 5 teams. They have two starting forwards at 6’8”, but no one on the roster eclipses that mark. Running into a 6’10” or 7’0” low post player could spell matchup nightmare for the Huskies. Opponents can rack up a lot of points in the paint against Northeastern. Also as a result of their size, they are not very good at rebounding and creating second chance opportunities. Despite their smart shot selection, the Huskies tend to turn the ball over too often. In order to beat a high seed they are going to have to value possession above all else.
Probable Starters:
David Walker, Junior, Guard, 13.4 ppg, 3.5 apg
Zach Stahl, Junior, Guard, 8.3 ppg, 1.9 apg, 5.9 rpg
T.J. Williams, Sophomore, Guard, 9.7 ppg, 3.2 apg
Scott Eatherton, Senior, Forward, 14.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.3 bpg
Quincy Ford, Junior, Forward, 10.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.1 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Reggie Spencer, Senior, Forward, 5.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg
Caleb Donnelly, Senior, Guard,3.3 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 68.5 (149th in nation, 5th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 65.1 (141, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 48.3 (19, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 44.7 (266, 10)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.7 (240, 8)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 38.0 (52, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.6 (52, 3)
Rebound Margin: 4.9 (35, 2)
Assists Per Game: 14.2 (69, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.7 (271, 10)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2013 NIT First Round loss to Alabama
2010 NIT First Round loss to Connecticut
2009 CBI First Round win over Wyoming
2009 CBI Second Round loss to UTEP
2005 NIT First Round loss to Memphis
1991 NCAA Round of 64 loss to North Carolina
1987 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Purdue
*all team stats through 3/8
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
