Northeastern Huskies (11-20, 6-12)
Projected starting five:
Jr. G Jonathan Lee
Jr. G Joel Smith
So. G-F Alwayne Bigby
So. F Ryan Pierson
Jr. F Kauri Black
Important departures:
G Chaisson Allen (16.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg) graduated and G Alex Harris (6.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg) transferred.
Returning:
64.3 percent of scoring and 69.2 percent of rebounding
Additions:
Sr. G/F Kashief Edwards, a transfer from Niagara
Fr. G Marco Banegas-Flores
Fr. F Quincy Ford
Fr. G Demetrius Pollard
Fr. F Reggie Spencer
Schedule highlights:
The Huskies open at cross-town rival Boston University and have just three home games in nonconference plus a BracketBusters game. The most notable home games are against Southern Illinois and Ivy League contender Princeton, while they’ll travel far and wide: St. John’s, La Salle, Bradley, Louisiana Tech, North Carolina State and Vermont. As if that’s not enough, when CAA play begins in earnest in January, three of the first four are on the road and they have three straight on the road in February.
Projected finish and outlook:
The Huskies are a tough team to project, as they lost their leader and perhaps their most talented player with Harris’ transfer. But Harris also had a very up-and-down season, and with four starters back and the return of Alwayne Bigby after having to redshirt, this team won’t be lacking in experience as was the case last season. Add in Edwards, who will certainly contribute and might start on the wing, and the Huskies could be a sleeper even though they appear to be a year away from contending.
Lee and Smith, the former of whom is a solid defender, made nice strides last year but must be leaders this year in addition to repeating that improvement. Black has potential and has had his moments but has often seemed to need a push, and he’ll get that from the talented newcomers up front. Pierson showed he can be a steady glue guy, and Bigby is a competitor who will lead the defense. The Huskies struggled at the defensive end and on the glass last year, so that’s the main area that needs strengthening if they are to jump in the standings.
