Northeastern Huskies
CAA (23-10, 14-4)
The last time we saw Northeastern in the NCAA Tournament, they were nearly pulling off a huge upset against third-seed Notre Dame. That was in 2015. Last year the Huskies had a very good team, but missed out on the tournament. This group made up for it by sneaking past Charleston and Hofstra in the CAA Tournament.
Big Wins: 11/9 at Harvard (81-71), 11/15 vs Alabama (68-52), 3/12 at Hofstra (82-74)
Bad Losses: 11/6 Boston U (74-77), 12/30 Delaware (80-82), 1/24 at Towson (72-75)
Coach: Bill Coen
Why They Can Surprise:
This is a dynamic offense that has some very good shooters and very good passers. Northeastern will not beat themselves with turnovers and just about everybody on the team can handle the ball. Vasa Pusica is the most dynamic scorer, averaging 17.8 points per game. The 6-5 senior is the player who can make things happen by attacking the basket. But Pusica is just one of four players who shoot around 40 percent from beyond the arc. Jordan Roland, Bolden Brace and Donnell Gresham are all very good shooters and when all those players are knocking down shots, this is a Huskies team that can be extremely dangerous.
Why They Can Disappoint:
However, scoring points is rarely the problem for this team. It is stopping the other team that will put an end to Northeastern’s NCAA Tournament. There is not a shot blocking presence in the paint and the opposition shoots 46.0 percent from the floor. Between that and regular struggles on the glass, the Huskies will give their opponent plenty of opportunities to score points.
Probable Starters:
Donnell Gresham, Junior, Guard, 9.8 ppg, 3.2 apg, 4.8 rpg
Jordan Roland, Junior, Guard, 14.7 ppg, 1.7 apg
Vasa Pusica, Senior, Guard, 17.8 ppg, 4.2 apg, 1.5 spg
Bolden Brace, Junior, Guard, 10.0 ppg, 2.7 apg, 6.0 rpg
Anthony Green, Senior, Center, 8.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Key Role Players:
Tomas Murphy, Sophomore, Forward, 8.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg
Shawn Occeus, Junior, Guard, 10.1 ppg, 2.0 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 76.0 (95th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 70.6 (162, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 48.3 (23, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 46.0 (295, 7)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 9.6 (30, 2)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 38.6 (17, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 75.4 (26, 3)
Rebound Margin: -0.4 (216, 8)
Assists Per Game: 14.2 (113, 6)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.4 (46, 4)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2015 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Notre Dame |
| 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 3/10
