Northeastern Huskies
2015-2016 Overall Rank: #95
Conference Rank: #1 CAA
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After so many close calls, Northeastern finally made it back to the NCAA Tournament. The drought lasted 24 years. The Huskies finished in a four way tie atop the CAA standings, but managed to win the conference tournament to reach the NCAAs. But Coach Bill Coen and company were not just happy to be there. As a 14 seed, Northeastern nearly knocked off #3 Notre Dame, eventually falling 69-65. This year four starters return and there will not be another 21 year drought between NCAA Tournament appearances.
2014-15 Record: 23-12, 12-6
2014-15 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Bill Coen
Coach Record: 145-145 at Northeastern, 145-145 overall
Who’s Out:
The loss of Scott Eatherton is significant. Not only did he lead the team with 14.7 points per game, but he also was the squad’s top rebounder and shot blocker. Reggie Spencer was the sixth man and the 6-7 forward averaged 5.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per game. Losing Eatherton is a big deal as it is, but without Spencer, the Huskies frontcourt is suddenly very, very thin.
Who’s In:
Thus, the frontcourt is a big need in this class and Northeastern could not have done any better. Jeremy Miller and Sajon Ford are big time recruits and Anthony Green is capable of making an impact right away. Miller, a 6-9 forward, was once committed to Boston College, but will now be asked to make a big splash at Northeastern. And he has the talent to do so. He is a polished freshman who could step into a starting role. Ford, the brother of current Huskie Quincy Ford, is a big seven-footer who is ready to make an impact on the defensive end. Green may not be as polished as Miller or Ford, but he is a talented big man who will have a good career at Northeastern. The backcourt adds point guard Donnell Gresham and shooting guard Brandon Kamga. On a team that really didn’t play a point guard last season, Gresham has a shot at making the regular rotation.
Who to Watch:
T.J. Williams and David Walker combined for 6.8 assists per game, so the Huskies did just fine without a true point guard. Williams is not the most prolific scorer on the team, but he still averaged 9.6 points per game and knocked down 34.6 percent of his attempts from long range. Walker is the team’s most prolific shooter. He connected on 39.2 percent of his team high 176 attempts from long range and shot an efficient 43.7 percent from the floor and 86.6 percent from the charity stripe. On top of his 13.4 points per game, Walker added 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals. Zach Stahl, a 6-5 senior guard, adds some size to the perimeter. He was second only to Eatherton with 5.9 rebounds per game. Quincy Ford is basically a guard with a 6-8, 225 pound body. Ford is a dangerous shooter from outside and very effective attacking the basket. But with his size, and Northeastern’s need, Ford will again spend this season as a stretch four.
Final Projection:
Northeastern does have some depth, but they didn’t use it much last season. Caleb Donnelly can knock down some shots and Devon Begley can give the Huskies another ball handler. But it will be the newcomers in the frontcourt that will make all of the difference. If Miller and Sajon Ford can live up to their potential and replace the production of Eatherton, Northeastern will win an outright CAA title and get back to the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting Five:
T.J. Williams, Junior, Guard, 9.6 points per game
David Walker, Senior, Guard, 13.4 points per game
Zach Stahl, Senior, Guard, 8.3 points per game
Quincy Ford, Senior, Forward, 10.4 points per game
Jeremy Miller, Freshman, Forward, DNP last season
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 68.5 (141st in nation, 5th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 65.1 (136, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 48.6 (9, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 44.8 (269, 10)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.8 (228, 8)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 38.6 (31, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.7 (51, 3)
Rebound Margin: 5.1 (32, 2)
Assists Per Game: 14.3 (59, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.8 (285, 10)
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