BOSTON – The box score might imply otherwise, and it is, after all, just the second game of the season. But Northeastern will be more than just Jordan Roland this season. You can be sure of that.
Roland is pretty good, though. And he’s off to a historic start for the 2-0 Huskies after leading them to an 84-79 win over Harvard on Friday night.
Roland opened the season with 39 points, the most in a season opener in program history, against cross-town rival Boston University on Tuesday night. On Friday night, he showed that was no fluke, going for a school record 42 points on 13-19 shooting, including 6-9 from long range. What’s more, he didn’t just do it by showing that the deeper three-point shot means nothing to him. He hit shots like a fade-away over Crimson rim protector Chris Lewis in a personal 11-2 run to start the game, and later went off the bounce a couple of times, one time going to his left and hitting a short left-handed shot.
“He was outstanding, he’s been outstanding when we’ve played him, he was outstanding the previous game against BU,” said Harvard head coach Tommy Amaker. “A tremendous threat and player all over the floor, he played the full 40 minutes and never looked like he was sweating or tired.”
When they needed a basket, Roland was the guy, and understandably so. The Huskies had missed five in a row and went over two minutes without scoring, then Roland hit a runner. After a three-pointer got Harvard within four, Roland drove and converted a conventional three-point play to put the Huskies back up by seven. Then, as Harvard got within a possession, Roland hit a three-pointer as he was fouled to double the lead with under three minutes left, which gave him the single game school scoring record as he had 42 points by then.
“He’s getting it out of the flow, too,” said head coach Bill Coen. “He’s getting it in transition, he’s getting himself to the foul line. He’s stepping up in big moments to quiet runs, and he’s giving the other guys confidence with senior leadership, the guys who are getting into the swing of things.”
Northeastern lost plenty from last season’s team besides star guard Vasa Pusica. Big man Anthony Green graduated, while versatile Donnell Gresham Jr. and defensive star Shawn Occeus both transferred. Roland understands this, and it has driven his play thus far as much as his off-season work, which Coen raved about. But the Huskies were very deep last year and Coen had a lot of lineup options, and Max Boursiquot was not part of that as he missed last season due to injury. He has returned, though he got hurt against Boston University and sat out Friday’s game. Greg Eboigbodin is now eligible after sitting out last season as a transfer as well, giving them another big body up front. All of that is part of why they were chosen among the CAA favorites this season despite those personnel losses.
More importantly, the Huskies have a fine complement to Roland and Bolden Brace in the backcourt in the person of Tyson Walker. The lanky freshman point guard has quickly made an impact in the Huskies’ first two games and looks like he’s going to be a four-year starter on St. Botolph Street. He can score, is quick and shifty and also stronger than he looks. On Friday, he had 15 points on 6-11 shooting and didn’t turn the ball over in 34 minutes.
“I love playing with him,” said Roland. “He’s really unselfish, and I think he has the potential to get so much better throughout this year, and he’s going to be a great player for the program for the next four years.”
The Huskies don’t look like they will be as deep as a year ago, but they should have lineup options if they remain healthy. It just won’t happen right away, not unlike how the complementary scoring options are such that they expect Roland to carry them early on – though not necessarily to the tune of 81 points in two games as has happened thus far. He also understands it.
“We’ve talked about this, he can’t turn down an open shot,” said Coen. “If we’re in the middle of the clock and he’s open, we can’t continue to play, he’s got to let it go.”
The Huskies have several players capable of putting up double-digit scoring games and even double-doubles on a given night. On Friday night, four players had five rebounds each to go with Roland’s team-high six, while Myles Franklin was the unsung hero off the bench with seven points in nine key minutes. Over time, they will develop and grow into their roles alongside Roland more. For now, though, he will be the clear star attraction and lead the Huskies as far as they go.
