Northeastern

[Wolf]

Northeastern Huskies
Colonial Athletic Association

2004-05: 21-10, 15-3, 2nd America East
By Joel Welser

Northeastern would have been a clear favorite to win the America East this year, but the Colonial will provide more of a challenge and Jose Juan Barea and Coach Ron Everhart won’t back down from a good challenge.

Who’s Out: Marcus Barnes was a nice backcourt mate to Jose Juan Barea. Barnes was second on the team last year averaging 15.9 points per contest. The 6-2 Miami product didn’t shy away from shooting from behind the arc, putting up 7.4 shots per game from long range. He made nearly 36% of those and somebody will have to step up and be a threat from three point land.

Who’s In: It is difficult to project if Benson Egemonye will be ready to play immediately or not. The 6-9 Nigerian product is a great rebounder and defensive player, but his offensive skills still need quite a bit of work. He could, however, end up to be a difference maker in Boston before the season is over. Matt Smith, a 6-6 wing, has a decent outside shot, and could see a few minutes off the bench as a freshman. Chris Brickley has the ability to add a major scoring threat right away. The shooting guard could upend returnees Bobby Kelly or Aaron Davis for a starting job.

Who to Watch: It doesn’t get much more exciting than Jose Juan Barea. Last year he averaged 22.2 points and 7.3 assists per contest, ranking in the top ten in each category nationally, however it will be the frontcourt that is the key to a successful season for the Huskies. Sophomore Shawn James had a solid freshman campaign proving he can score, rebound and especially block shots. Bennet Davis is now an upperclassman and will be ready to be a floor leader and senior Janon Cole has plenty of experience to fill in nicely off the bench. If those three can maintain the frontcourt and continue to improve, and newcomer Benson Egemonye is half as good as advertised on the boards, it will go a long way to helping out Barea run the show, especially in the frontcourt heavy CAA.

Projected Conference Rank: A 2nd place finish in the Colonial will put Northeastern on the NCAA bubble. Bobby Kelly and Aaron Davis, who averaged 4.3 and 6.9 points, respectively, will need to step up the scoring in the absence of Marcus Barnes. The duo has the experience and skills to do so, but in the end it will be tough for the CAA to get two teams dancing, barring an upset in the conference tournament.

Projected Post-season Tournament: NIT

Projected Starting Five:
Jose Juan Barea, Senior, Guard, 22.2 points per game
Bobby Kelly, Junior, Guard, 4.3 points per game
Aaron Davis, Senior, Guard, 6.9 points per game
Bennet Davis, Junior, Forward, 8.0 points per game
Shawn James, Sophomore, Forward, 10.3 points per game

www.collegehoopsnet.com/preview/2005/70.htm

[Wolf]

Northeastern is currently 6-2. Their RPI is 71 and their SAG is 98.

Northeastern 67, Brown 53
Northeastern 94, Central Connecticut 90
Northeastern 105, Lasell 57
Northeastern 102, Cal St. Northridge 81
California 83, Northeastern 76
Northeastern 86, James Madison 83
Northeastern 89, Towson 67
Providence 92, Northeastern 70

[Wolf]

Official site:

www.gonu.com/mbasketball/

[Wolf]

Ten for Tuesday: Some triple-double threats
Dec. 12, 2005
By Gregg Doyel
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer


When it comes to the triple-double, college basketball is the awkward middle child. Triple-doubles happen all the time in high school, the combination of a great player and bad competition. They happen occasionally in the NBA, where assists -- and minutes -- are plentiful. But they almost never happen in college. This season, there has been one. Last season? Two players did it (we think).

Calling all triple-doublers! Ten for Tuesday pleads with the following:

1. Kojo Mensah, Siena: He's the one this season. Mensah, a 6-foot-1 sophomore, had 20 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists against Albany. The game went to overtime, but Mensah had his triple-double in regulation. That was no fluke, either. For the season, he's averaging 18.5 points, eight rebounds and 5.2 assists.

2. Rajon Rondo, Kentucky: Skinny and 6-1, Rondo is still the best rebounding guard in college basketball. He's averaging 9.9 rpg, with a high of 19 against Iowa. If any of his teammates could shoot, we'd declare the inevitability of a Rondo triple-double. As it is, he's averaging 15.5 ppg and 5.2 apg. Maybe he could get a triple-double off points, rebounds and steals; he holds the school record with eight in a game. Or, dare we dream it aloud: quadruple-double?

3. Shawn James, Northeastern: He had two triple-doubles last season as a freshman (the other Division I player to triple-double was Miami's Anthony King), and James has almost done it twice this season -- against Central Connecticut State (12 points, nine rebounds, nine blocked shots) and Cal State Northridge (14 points, eight, 10). If he stays in school four years, the 6-9 James will become the NCAA's career leader for blocked shots and will add to his triple-double collection.

4. Justin Williams, Wyoming: Another shot-blocking candidate, Williams just missed a triple-double against Charlotte: 13 points, 20 rebounds, nine blocks. He also came close against UNC-Wilmington (16-16-6) and Southern Illinois (eight, seven, eight), and he had eight blocks Saturday against Princeton. Williams, if you're wondering, is a 6-10 senior who spent his first two seasons at Colby (Kan.) Community College.

5. Jose Juan Barea, Northeastern: That's right: Two of the top triple-double candidates play for Northeastern. Deal with it. Barea, a 5-11 senior from Puerto Rico, has already done it internationally -- blistering Brazil for 27 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists in a 2004 under-21 tournament. This summer he almost did it to the U.S. under-21 team (21, 14 and nine). This season for Northeastern, he just missed one against Brown (22, nine and eight). He averages 23.9 ppg, 9.3 apg and 4.4 rpg.

6. Curtis Stinson, Iowa State: This 6-3 junior has been a triple-double threat since he was a freshman. He averages 20 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 5.8 apg, and came closest this year against Fresno State (22, 12, seven). And don't discount backcourt partner Will Blalock, who averages 13.3 ppg and 7.5 apg and once had nine rebounds in a game.

7. Stephane Lasme, UMass: He's wildly inconsistent, but when he's on, he's on. Lasme just missed a triple-double against Davidson (10 points, 11 rebounds, nine blocks). He also flirted with one against UAB (14, eight, seven). All told, the 6-8 junior averages 8.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg and 5.2 blocks.

8. Randy Foye, Villanova: Foye's chances are hurt by the Wildcats' lack of a low-post scorer, which makes a double-digit assist total unlikely. He came closest against Stony Brook, with 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists and averages 23 ppg, 5.3 rpg and 3.8 apg. Get well, Jason Fraser, and Foye will do the rest.

9. Jeff Horner, Iowa: He's hurt, but when Horner returns from his knee injury, expect his triple-double stalking to continue. He's 27 rebounds short of becoming the only Iowa player with 1,200 points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists. Come to think of it, no other Hawkeye even has 1,000, 400 and 400. Horner approached a triple-double against Fairfield this season with 12 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. He averages 12 ppg, 6.4 apg and 3.7 rpg but is a dangerous rebounder. He averaged 5.3 as a sophomore.

10. Mardy Collins, Temple: If the versatile Collins doesn't get one, it's because his teammates don't shoot well enough. The 6-6 senior's personal highs are 30 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists and nine steals. He toyed with a triple-double against Miami (19 points, six rebounds, seven assists), but his season averages are down from a year ago: 14.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.3 apg.

www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/9092604

[Wolf]

kenpom.com/sked.php?team=Wright%20St.&t=p

Pomeroy has Northeastern over WSU by 2.

[Big D]

Northeastern's Starting Lineup:
Jose Juan Barea (6-0, PG) 23.1 ppg, 9.5 apg, 3.9 rpg
Bobby Kelly (6-3, SG) 12.6 ppg, 2.1 apg, 1.8 rpg
Aaron Davis (6-3, SG) 10.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg
Shawn James (6-9, F) 12.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 6.1 bpg
Bennet Davis (6-9, F) 5.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg

Top Reserves:
Janon Cole (6-6, F) 10.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg
Adrian Martinez (6-2 SG) 5.4 ppg

[Raider fan]

Our rebounding will be tested seeing how both of their 6-9 guys average over 6 boards per game.

Big D, thanks for the lineup and other info on our opponents!

[bballraider]

2 Stories from Boston Newspapers on Northeastern players:

A size surprise with Husky Barea
NU's 5-11 star always comes up big

He doesn't look the part. Never has. When Jose Juan Barea walks into a gym, nobody's knees start knocking. He appears so unimposing, the tendency is to look straight through him.

''I'm small," conceded Northeastern's basketball star. ''When you are as little as I am, you've got to be tough. If you aren't, they'll think they can run all over you."

The first time he was invited to practice with the junior national team in his native Puerto Rico, nobody would pass him the ball. He grew tired of waiting, so he crouched low in his defensive stance and stole it for himself, then streaked up the floor and dropped in a floater in the lane. The next time, he jumped in front of a pass, jetted to the hash mark, then unleashed a no-look bullet through the teeth of the defense. Guys started noticing him then, and their intent quickly shifted to knocking the skinny little kid on his rear end.

''They got physical with me," Barea explained. ''So I threw a couple of elbows. When I drove to the basket, I swung my arm to get them off me. After that, everything was fine."

He thought about basketball all the time. He wanted to play for a college in the United States, but he knew the only way that would happen was if he spent his senior year of high school in America, to get noticed. He hopped a plane from Puerto Rico for Florida, leaving his friends and family behind. Miami Christian coach Art Alvarez, who had established a pipeline to Puerto Rico, told his players that a wonderful, creative guard was coming in to bolster their championship hopes.

''He walked into the gym and he was barely 5 foot 11 and bowlegged," said Alvarez. ''He was so skinny, and he didn't look athletic at all. The other guys were saying, 'This is the kid that's supposed to be so great?'

''I told Jose Juan, 'You are Richie Cunningham.' He said, 'Who is Richie Cunningham?' I had to show him a clip of 'Happy Days.' I said, 'There, that's you. A kid with a sweet smile who doesn't look like a basketball player at all.' "

That all changed when Barea pulled on his Miami Christian jersey for the first time. The smile morphed into a snarl. Barea was a whirling dervish, slicing through defenses on one end and swallowing up passing lanes on the other. He was relentless, unpredictable, and incredibly entertaining. He scored 39 points and dished out eight assists in his first game. He spoke halting English at first, but when it came to his second language -- basketball -- he was fluent.

''The most competitive kid I've ever coached," Alvarez said. ''We only lost two games that season, and he cried after both of them.".....

This story continues here (free registration):
www.boston.com/sports/colleges/mens_basketball/articles/2005/12/09/a_size_surprise_with_husky_barea?page=2


NU’s James king of block

Northeastern power forward Shawn James is one of the nation’s elite shot blockers because he never bites on up-fakes or lean-in jumpers.

What’s made him so good — James has accumulated 42 blocks in seven games this season — is his focus on the shot itself, not the shooter.

“I try to mostly watch the ball more than the player,” said the 6-foot-9, 195-pound sophomore from Brooklyn, N.Y. “You look for when they are going to release it and time your jump to go after just the ball. You play into their hands when you don’t, because you get some players who fake and some players who fake a lot.

“That’s why you can’t go by the player. But when they release the ball, that’s when they play into my hands.”

James broke Reggie Lewis’ (1983-87) school record for blocked shots (155) when he registered 10 against California-Northbridge in the Golden Bear Classic on Nov. 25.

That came on the heels of a monster freshman campaign in which he was the easy choice for America East Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors. James started 16-of-25 games, finished second in the nation with 5.4 blocks per game and set the school record for blocks in a season (136).

“You develop into a good shot blocker by working on your timing,” James said. “The key is not getting stupid fouls, holding your ground, keeping your hands up and jumping to the ball.”

James’ lofty block totals tend to diminish his other strengths on the floor. Last season, he averaged 10.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.

This year, the Huskies are off to a 6-1 start, with James averaging 12.3 points and 6.3 rebounds.

The Huskies offense revolves around dynamic senior point guard Jose Juan Barea, a two-time America East first teamer. Barea works in tandem with shooting guards Aaron Davis (11.1 ppg) and Bobby Kelly (12.3), and all three have benefited from James’ menacing defensive presence in the low post. ...

The rest of the story can be found here:
sports.bostonherald.com/college/view.bg?articleid=116615&format=&page=2

[bballraider]

This should be an exciting game to watch, I heard from people that went to the game last year that the match up between DaShaun Wood and Jose Juan Barea was a great one. I think Barea has the green light to shoot once he crosses mid-court, from the games I have seen him play on TV.

Last Year Wright State won 59-53. DaShaun only had 2 pts, but dished out 7 assists, and had 10 rebounds. He also held Jose Juan to just 12 pts. (10 pts below his average), but Barea did have 9 rebounds himself. Drew was our leading scorer with 19 pts. We may see more of Spencer in this game as he played very well against the Huskies last year. He scored 9 pts., 12 rebounds and 2 steals.

We will need to win the battle of the glass to beat Northeastern, so we may see a lot of the big lineup too. Last year rebounding was the reason I think we beat the Huskies in Boston. We out rebounded them 43-35.

With Barea speed, I do not think we will press much unless it is to try and get the ball out of his hands. Barea game reminds me a lot of Rashaad Phillips of Detroit only stronger, and maybe a tad quicker. This should be a fun game to watch.

[bballraider]

Northeastern's Notes for WSU game:

www.gonu.com/mbasketball/2006/notes.htm

[PapaRaider]

I recall Zakee was guarding Barea last year (not DeShawn), but I might be wrong.

[bballraider]

PapaRaider you are correct, Zakee did guard Barea for a good part of his 25 minutes of play, while DaShaun picked him up for the rest of the time. Both did a decent job, I think DaShaun's speed matched up with Barea well, while Zakee's height helped keep JJB's three point shooting down. But since I wasn't there and my recollection of the game is from the radio broadcast, I too may not be the most accurate.

[wsu97]

Pleiman gets his chance
WSU sophomore a solid contributor in starting role
By Marc Katz

Dayton Daily News

FAIRBORN | A year ago — only earlier in December — Jordan Pleiman was a freshman big man on the Wright State bench, where he sat most of the time during games.

Pleiman played a total of 17 minutes in the five games prior to the Raiders engaging Northeastern in Boston, and just six minutes against the Huskies. He didn't even play in one game, and was in for only a minute in another.

Wright State's first big man off the bench in those games was Vova Severovas, a sophomore who was a part-time starter as a freshman.

"Honestly, it did concern me I would only play a few minutes a game," Pleiman said Monday. "I thought it wouldn't be the freshman year I wanted. Then coach gave me a chance."

The chance came when Severovas suddenly quit, leaving a voice-mail for coach Paul Biancardi that he was transferring to Oakland University, near his home in suburban Detroit. In the next game, against Miami, Pleiman played 19 minutes, made all three of his shots from the field, two of four free throws and grabbed seven rebounds.

It was obvious he was going to get more playing time anyway, even if Severovas had stayed. Pleiman never again played less than double-figure minutes, and this season has started every game. It will be a different Pleiman Northeastern sees tonight when the Huskies visit the Nutter Center.

"I think I have a lot more understanding about what college basketball is," said Pleiman, who had just finished a team film session, was about to find some lunch and get back for an afternoon practice. "I've learned not only about the game, but about life. The game preparation, the intensity, the scouting reports. It's a lot more than it was in high school."

Certainly it was a lot more than the 6-foot-8 Pleiman encountered in Fort Loramie, the small farming community about an hour north of Dayton. There, he was just bigger and better than the ones he played against. He didn't always encounter a 6-foot-8 player on the other side.

"When I'm in a game, I'm not thinking of too much else," Pleiman said. "That guy (on the other side) weighs just as much as I do. He's just as strong. It's not easy when you go up against guys like that. You get tired. You've just got to play harder."

In WSU's last game, a 63-53 victory over Texas Pan-American, Pleiman was up against two big guys, 6-9 Kano Edwards and 6-9 Derrick East. Edwards finished with nine points and two rebounds. East had eight points and five rebounds. Pleiman pulled in a season-best 11 rebounds and scored eight points on 4-of-6 shooting.

He would prefer not to talk about himself. Instead, he points out the Raiders have an opportunity to win their third straight game (something they didn't do all last season) tonight.

"If we could do that, hopefully it would carry on the road for us at Akron (Saturday)," Pleiman said. "It's pretty key for us (to play well) leading into league play."

The Raiders are already 1-0 in Horizon League play, with the bulk of the schedule beginning Jan. 5 with their game at Cleveland State. Look for Pleiman in the lineup.

Contact Marc Katz at [phone].
www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/wsu/daily/1227wsubb.html

[Big D]

RAIDER CONNECTION

Raiders back from break, ready for Northeastern
By Marc Katz

Dayton Daily News

FAIRBORN — All 13 Wright State players showed up in time for Sunday night practice at 7.

It's a worry, sometimes, WSU coach Paul Biancardi said, when there's a holiday break in the schedule and the team is given a few days off. Sometimes, it's tough to get everybody back not only at the same time, but with an interest in playing basketball.

Biancardi not only had all of his players return on time, they had a good practice Sunday night.

Monday, the team gathered for a film session at 11:30 a.m. that lasted nearly an hour, then had a practice in the afternoon after Northeastern held it's practice at the Nutter Center.

"After a couple of days off, they (the players) were anxious to get back at it," Biancardi said.

This season, the Raiders have not had what might be considered a holiday-friendly schedule. They played at Toledo (and lost) the night before Thanksgiving. They played Texas Pan-American (and won) last Thursday, three days prior to Christmas.

They play Saturday (New Year's Eve day) at Akron.

"It's more fun going into a holiday when you win," sophomore forward Jordan Pleiman said. "It puts a damper on it when you know you have to come back to practice with a loss on your shoulders."

After playing Texas Pan-Am, the Raiders had nearly three days off before returning to practice on Christmas night. After the 2 p.m. Saturday game at Akron, the team will have off Sunday and Monday, then get ready for the bulk of the Horizon League schedule, starting at Cleveland State on Jan. 5.

So far, Cleveland State is 4-5, nearly the same as 3-5 WSU, and will begin its Horizon League schedule Thursday with Chicago-Loyola. The Vikings, though, haven't exactly beaten top-ranked teams — Rochester College, Central Michigan, Utah Valley State and John Carroll.

• Biancardi said he's still trying to find that defensive "stopper," a guy who can shut down the other team's hot shooter. He thinks he may have found a third scorer to join DaShaun Wood and Drew Burleson in Tyrone Scott. He'd also like to find a consistent fourth scorer.

"We need someone like a Vernard Hollins (who played for Biancardi in 2003-04)," Biancardi said, "to shut down the other guy."

Hollins could score, too.

Otherwise, he's happy with what he's got, and said, "I'm not afraid to put anybody in. Anybody. Reinaldo (Smith) was a starter just two weeks ago. How can I be afraid to put him in? It's just the other guys are playing well now."

Smith started the first three games of the season, averaging more than 20 minutes of playing time. He sat out three games with foot and back problems, but has played just five minutes in two games since then.

Still, Biancardi says he likes the way Smith plays, and says the versatility he has with this team is as good as it has been in his three seasons. Ten players are averaging double minutes.
www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/wsu/daily/1227raiderconnection.html?cxntnid=rc-122705

[observer]

I'm still trying to figure out what the heck Katz is talking about with these comments

" This season, the Raiders have not had what might be considered a holiday-friendly schedule. They played at Toledo (and lost) the night before Thanksgiving. They played Texas Pan-American (and won) last Thursday, three days prior to Christmas.

They play Saturday (New Year's Eve day) at Akron."

Does anyone else have a clue what he is saying? That holiday schedule looks pretty average.