The winter athletics season is upon us, and the men’s hockey team is off to its best start in recent memory, climbing to No. 7 in the country as of press time. The Huskies had their 11 game unbeaten streak snapped Friday night at Merrimack, but continue to give NU fans hope of a fifth Beanpot title at the Garden in February.
That’s all well and good, but I’m here to talk about that other team that plays its games inside Matthews Arena: the men’s basketball team.
Since joining the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) in 2005-06, the Huskies have gone 21-4 at Matthews, and yet nobody seems to come to the games. Through four home games this season, Northeastern has averaged 1,340 fans per game, which is last in the CAA. That is an embarrassing number that reflects more upon the student body than the product on the court.
But it’s okay, I forgive you. We can still be friends. Just do me one favor: give them a chance. Preferably this Saturday at 5 p.m. against Delaware.
This game is big for two reasons. First, Delaware is the only undefeated team remaining in the CAA, at 5-0. How great would it be to hand the Blue Hens their first loss? Second, and of greater importance, the game will be televised on CN8. Many may consider this an opportunity to kick up their feet and watch the Huskies on TV. Well, I’m here to tell you you shouldn’t.
According to the team media guide, Matthews Arena seats 6,000 fans. Now, I’m no math major, but if only 1,340 people show up, the Old Barn is going to look pretty empty. And everyone watching at home, on TV is going to say, “Wow, Northeastern students don’t care about their basketball team.”
How can they say that? They don’t even know you. Well, here’s your chance to prove them wrong. More than that, it is actually your chance to be on TV.
Look, you have a week to plan this out. Round up some friends and go to the game Saturday. Make some signs and I guarantee you’ll be on TV. Dress up in something crazy (and I’m talking more than a Northeastern T-shirt) and I guarantee you’ll be on TV. Grab nine close friends, paint “GO HUSKIES!” on your chest and I guarantee you’ll be on TV.
According to its website, CN8 reaches more than 9 million viewers in markets ranging from Boston to Richmond, Va. That’s a lot of eyes on an empty Matthews Arena. Do your best to keep that from happening.
Furthermore, I can’t think of a reason not to go. The game is at 5 p.m. That’s the perfect tip time, allowing students to sleep in and get a jump start on their Saturday night. The men’s hockey team is in Vermont. The Patriots don’t play until Sunday. Even the Celtics have the night off! Why not go to the game?
If you’re reasoning is because you don’t know enough about the Huskies, here’s your two-minute guide to the team.
Northeastern (6-9, 2-3 CAA) has played a brutal out-of-conference schedule with road games at Illinois, Maryland, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Boston College and Syracuse.
The Huskies are led by second year head coach Bill Coen, a long time assistant to Al Skinner at Rhode Island and Boston College. Last year, Coen guided the Huskies to a fifth place CAA finish, in what was viewed as a “rebuilding” year after the graduation of Jose Juan Barea and the defection of Shawn James to Duquesne.
This season, NU is headlined by 2006-07 CAA Rookie of the Year Matt Janning (16.0 ppg, 5th CAA); a baby-faced assassin out of Watertown, Minn. Janning has saved his best for the biggest stage, averaging 22.3 ppg in televised games. Keep that in mind Saturday.
Forwards Manny Adako (11.6 ppg) and Nkem Ojougboh (11.1 ppg) add the muscle up front. Adako is second in the CAA, shooting 62 percent from the field, while Ojougboh has scored in double-figures in seven straight games.
Northeastern also boasts one of the top freshman in the conference in Chaisson Allen, a 6 foot 4 guard from Murfreesboro, Tenn. Allen is averaging 9.9 ppg, 4.6 assists per game (fourth CAA) and 2.5 steals per game (second CAA).
So now there’s no excuse to skip the game Saturday night. You can be on TV, you have nothing better to do and you know a ton about the team.
Let’s finish this up by making a deal. If you go to the game Saturday and don’t have any fun, you can blame me. I’ll be in attendance. But if you don’t show up, I get to blame you, along with the 9 million-plus viewers on CN8.
– Adam Jones can be reached
at sports@nu-news.com.
