BOSTON — The Northeastern men's basketball team, fresh off a thrilling 65-64 season-opening win over rival Boston University, will travel to Princeton for a 7 p.m. tip on Tuesday night at Jadwin Gymnasium. The Huskies will be looking for their second 2-0 start in the last three seasons.
Fans unable to attend the game can listen to the action live on
WRBB Sports, with David Kroopnick and Zolan Kanno-Youngs on the call. A
live video stream and live stats will be available on
GoPrincetonTigers.com.
Storylines
> Northeastern opened its 93rd season of men's basketball on Friday with a thrilling 65-64 victory over city rival Boston University; sophomore guard
Demetrius Pollard connected on a 3-point shot with one second remaining to lift NU to the win; senior guard
Joel Smith led all scorers with 20 points
> Northeastern and Princeton will meet for the third consecutive year and the fifth time in series history; the Huskies are 2-2 all-time against the Tigers; Princeton has won the last two meetings, including a 71-62 affair at Matthews Arena last season on Dec. 18
>
Joel Smith scored a game-high 20 points in Friday night's season-opening win against Boston University; — the seventh consecutive game in which Smith has scored in double figures; teammates
Quincy Ford (four consecutive games) and
Reggie Spencer (one game) also are coming off double-figure scoring efforts
> A win on Tuesday would give Northeastern its second 2-0 start in the last three seasons; the last time NU achieved two 2-0 starts in a three-year span was 1984-87; since 1980, the Huskies have started 2-0 five times (1980-81, 1981-82, 1984-85, 1986-87, and 2005-06)
A look at the matchup
NORTHEASTERN
Northeastern returns its top four scorers and top four rebounders from a season ago in senior guards
Jonathan Lee and
Joel Smith, and sophomore forwards
Quincy Ford and
Reggie Spencer. Smith scored a game-high 20 points in the season-opening win against Boston University. The senior co-captain also tied a career high with five assists. Ford, a 2012 CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Freshmen All-America selection, just missed a double-double on Friday, with 11 points and nine rebounds. Spencer, last year's team leader in rebounds, scored 18 points and grabbed seven boards. Lee, a preseason All-CAA first team selection, will be sidelined for the first part of the season by a foot injury.
PRINCETON
Perennial Ivy League power and preseason favorite Princeton returns three starters from 2011-12, including senior center Brendan Connolly, senior forward Ian Hummer, and junior guard T.J. Bray. The Tigers also welcome back junior forward Will Barrett, who missed much of last season with a foot injury. Princeton won its season opener on Saturday at Buffalo, 57-53. Impressively, Princeton totaled 17 assists on 19 made baskets in the win. Second-year head coach Mitch Henderson has the Tigers in pursuit of their fourth straight 20-win season.
Starting with a streak
Northeastern will look to move to 2-0 on Tuesday at Princeton. A win against the Tigers would give the Huskies their second 2-0 start in the last three seasons. The last time NU achieved two 2-0 starts in a three-year span was 1984-87. Those Huskies teams (1984-85 and 1986-87) both captured conference crowns and advanced to the NCAA tournament. Since 1980, the Huskies have started 2-0 six times (1980-81, 1981-82, 1984-85, 1986-87, 2005-06, and 2010-11).
Boston bragging rights
Northeastern defeated crosstown rival Boston University, 65-64, in a thrilling season-opener for both teams. Sophomore
Demetrius Pollard nailed a three from the top of the key with one second remaining to lift the Huskies to the win and return Boston bragging rights to Huntington Avenue for another year. NU now has defeated BU in three straight season openers and in seven of the last nine head-to-head meetings.
Spencer shines in season openers
Sophomore
Reggie Spencer scored a career-high 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds in this year's season-opening win against Boston University. In last year's season opener against BU, the Tuscaloosa, Ala., native collected a double-double in his first-ever collegiate game. He came off the bench to contribute 16 points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shots in NU's thrilling 82-74 overtime win. Spencer shot 7-for-8 in that game, including a perfect 5-for-5 in the second half and overtime. He became the first NU player to open his collegiate career with a double-double since former standout Chaisson Allen (2008-11) accomplished the feat on Nov. 11, 2007.
17 career highs reached in opener
Five different returning players set or tied 17 personal career marks in the season-opening win over BU.
Reggie Spencer set a new career high for points (18) and tied his career mark for field goals made (7).
Marco Banegas-Flores set high marks for points (6), steals (2), and field goals made (3), and tied marks for rebounds (2) and field-goal attempts (5).
Joel Smith set new personal bests for assists (5) and free-throw attempts (12).
Chris Avenant set new highs for assists (2) and steals (2), and tied his best mark for field-goal attempts (3).
Demetrius Pollard tied marks for assists (1), steals (1), 3-point field goals made (1) and attempted (3), and free throw attempts (2).
Successful starts
Northeastern has won four of its last five season openers under head coach
Bill Coen, including a 3-0 mark in season openers played at home.
Season openers under Coen
11/15/06 - at Syracuse - L, 58-81
11/11/07 - at Illinois - L, 55-63
11/11/08 - IUPUI - W, 73-60
11/17/09 - at Siena - L, 53-59
11/12/10 - Boston Univ. - W, 66-64
11/11/11 - at Boston Univ. - W, 82-74 OT
11/9/12 - Boston Univ. - W, 65-64
Matthews Magic
Now in his seventh season,
Bill Coen has led Northeastern to a 6-1 record in home openers at Matthews Arena. The Huskies are 7-2 all-time under Coen in the month of November at the historic arena.
Home openers under Coen
11/21/06 Boston Univ. - W, 73-54
12/1/07 James Madison - L, 65-68
11/22/08 Holy Cross - W, 61-49
11/21/09 Utah State - W, 64-61
11/12/10 Boston Univ. - W, 66-64
11/19/11 Southern Ill. - W, 64-57
11/9/12 Boston Univ. - W, 65-64
Lee named national finalist for Senior CLASS Award
Northeastern men's basketball senior
Jonathan Lee has been selected as a candidate for the 2012-13 Senior CLASS Award in collegiate basketball. Lee, a graphic design major from Flint, Mich., is one of just 30 candidates nationally. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence—community, classroom, character and competition. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
Three Huskies earn All-CAA honors
Northeastern senior guard
Jonathan Lee was named to the preseason All-CAA first team by a vote of the league's coaches, media relations directors and media members. Lee led a trio of Huskies who earned All-CAA honors. Sophomore forward
Quincy Ford was voted to the second team, while senior guard
Joel Smith earned honorable mention.
NU picked fifth in CAA preseason poll
Northeastern, which returns four starters under seventh-year head coach
Bill Coen, was picked fifth in the CAA preseason poll, by a vote of the league's coaches, media relations directors and media members. Last year's regular season champion, Drexel, earned the top spot in the poll, followed by Delaware, George Mason and Old Dominion.
Coen ranks among best
in all-time CAA wins
Head coach
Bill Coen earned his 63rd career CAA win in the Huskies' 57-49 defeat of William & Mary in the CAA tournament. Coen is currently ninth on the CAA's list of all-time winningest coaches. He is one of just three current CAA coaches to have cracked the top 10.
Leaders of the pack
Seniors
Jonathan Lee and
Joel Smith were named team captains for the 2012-13 season. The duo also served as captains during the Huskies' 2011-12 campaign.
Dialing in from deep: Smith is one of NU's all-time best
Joel Smith now ranks as one of the greatest 3-point shooters in Northeastern history. He finished the 2011-12 season as one of the CAA's most prolific and proficient 3-point shooters. Smith ranked nationally in 3-point field goals per game. He entered the 2012-13 season ranked third in career 3-point percentage at Northeastern and tied for fifth in career 3-point field goals made (159). The sharp-shooter had 20 multi-three games last season and has made at least one 3-pointer in 50 of Northeastern's last 53 games.
Lee-ding the way
Last season, as a junior,
Jonathan Lee started all 31 games and averaged better than 35 minutes per game to rank fourth in the CAA. The 6-2 guard ranked in the top 15 in the CAA in eight other statistical categories, including scoring, assists, steals, 3-point field goals made, field-goal percentage, 3-point field goal percentage, free-throw percentage, and assist-to-turnover ratio. He ranked nationally among all Division I players in points per game, free-throw percentage, assists per game, and steals per game. Lee led Northeastern in scoring (14.5 ppg), assists (3.45 apg), and 3-point field goal percentage (.417), and scored in double-figures in 28 of 31 games. He earned All-CAA honors at the end of last season and was named to the preseason All-CAA First Team this year. He enters the 2012-13 season ranked second in Northeastern history in career free-throw percentage and career 3-point percentage.
Remarkable rookie year
Northeastern was the only team in the CAA to have two freshmen ranked in the top 10 in both freshman scoring and freshman rebounding last season.
Quincy Ford ranked third in both scoring and rebounding, while
Reggie Spencer ranked second in rebounding and 10th in scoring. Together, the two combined to earn three CAA Rookie of the Week honors.
NU to make nine TV appearances; national TV appearance set for Jan. 3
Northeastern men's basketball will make nine television appearances in 2012-13, the Colonial Athletic Association announced. The Huskies' TV package includes a nationally-televised match up on NBC Sports with CAA rival George Mason on Jan. 3 in Fairfax, Va. In addition, at least 16 NU games will be streamed live online—including a free, HD broadcast of every home game on GoNUxstream (GoNU.com/xstream)—giving fans no fewer than 25 viewing opportunities. GoNUxstream is free to all viewers and is accessible on PC and Mac computers, and mobile devices.
Injuries sideline Lee and Abakah
Northeastern men's basketball senior
Jonathan Lee and freshman
Kwesi Abakah sustained injuries in preseason practice. Lee, a preseason All-CAA first team selection, injured his foot during routine drills in mid-October. He is expected to miss up to six weeks as a result of the injury. The Flint, Mich., native averaged better than 35 minutes per game to rank fourth in the conference last season. He ranked in the top 15 in the CAA in eight other statistical categories, including scoring, assists and steals. Abakah, a freshman from Suwanee, Ga., suffered a torn ACL in practice, also in mid-October, and is expected to miss the entire 2012-13 season. The 6-8 forward averaged 14.3 minutes, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.4 points per game during the Huskies' summer tour in Canada. “I am extremely disappointed for Jon and Kwesi,” head coach
Bill Coen said. “They both have worked hard and were very focused on the upcoming season. With the help of our talented medical staff, we anticipate that Kwesi will recover fully for next season. For Jon, as a senior co-captain, this is a setback, but his perseverance and work ethic are unparalleled. He will continue to provide us with valuable leadership during his rehabilitation and we look forward to his return to the court. This adversity will provide others on our team with opportunities, which I believe will make us a stronger team as the season progresses. I am confident in this team and in our chemistry and resolve.”
North of the boarder
The Northeastern men's basketball team embarked on an eight-day, five-city trip to Canada in late August. The Huskies, who previously toured Canada in 2008, played seven exhibition games against universities in Lennoxville, Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa and Kingston. The tour featured wins over Bishop's (81-61), Laval (82-77), McGill (80-66), Ottawa (79-70), Laurentian (74-67 OT), and Queen's (105-84). The Huskies' lone loss on the tour came against Carleton (62-75), their sixth opponent in six days.
Huskies Unleashed
The Northeastern athletic department's popular video series “Huskies Unleashed” followed the men's basketball team on its summer exhibition tour through Canada. The four-part series provides fans with exclusive and unprecedented access to the basketball program. The series gives viewers a glimpse of the team during practices, scrimmages, team meetings and workouts leading up to its Canadian tour. Huskies Unleashed then follows the team during the tour, providing game highlights, behind-the-scenes footage, exclusive interviews and other original content. Links to the online video series can be found on GoNU.com and the men's basketball Facebook page (facebook.com/GoNUmbasketball).
Historic Matthews Arena
Northeastern's home court is historic Matthews Arena, the world's oldest multi-purpose athletic facility. The arena, the original home of the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins, is in its 102nd year of operation. The Huskies have enjoyed great success on their home floor. They appeared at the arena as far back as 1936, but made the arena their permanent home from 1981 to 1996 and again from 2005 to present. From 1985 to 1987, the Huskies put together a school-record 38-game winning streak at the arena. The century-old gem underwent a major renovation two years ago, which added state-of-the-art amenities while preserving its rich character.
A list of the nation's oldest active men's basketball arenas:
1. Matthews Arena – Northeastern (April 16, 1910)
2. Rose Hill Gym – Fordham (Jan. 16, 1925)
3. Lavietes Pavilion – Harvard (1926)
4. The Palestra –Penn (Jan. 1, 1927)
5. Hec Edmundson Pavilion – Washington (Dec. 27, 1927)
6. Williams Arena – Minnesota (Feb. 4, 1928)
7. Hinkle Fieldhouse – Butler (March 7, 1928)
8. Payne Whitney Gym – Yale (Dec. 10, 1932)
9. Fogelman Arena – Tulane (Dec. 15, 1933)
10. Haas Pavilion – California (1933)
11. Municipal Auditorium – UMKC (1935)
12. Gallagher-Iba Arena – Oklahoma State (Dec. 9, 1938)
13. Lundholm Gym – New Hampshire (1938)
14. McAlister Field House – The Citadel (1939)
15. Cameron Indoor Stadium – Duke (Jan. 6, 1940)
List compiled by Tulane University athletic communications office
Join the conversation
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Earn points, win rewards with Huskies Ncentives
Northeastern has a new rewards program that lets you earn points and win great prizes just by doing the online social activities you do everyday. Go to GoNU.com/Ncentives for more information.
Up next
Northeastern will return home to face New England rival Vermont on Saturday at 7 p.m. at historic Matthews Arena. The Huskies defeated the Catamounts in thrilling fashion last year when
Joel Smith connected on a runner from the right wing at the buzzer to lift NU to a 53-51 win. Saturday's game will be the 69th meeting between the former America East foes, but just the second since NU joined the CAA in 2005-06. Northeastern holds a 41-27 all-time series advantage.
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