By Max Lederman
The last time fans saw the Northeastern men’s basketball team, they suffered a 95-82 loss to Rhode Island at Matthews Arena. That was then; a few turkeys and some mashed potatoes later, the Huskies were handed a plate that was hard to swallow by the New Mexico Lobos last Monday night.
While on the road the Huskies lost a 90-88 heartbreaker at the Pit in Albuquerque, N.M. Freshman Jose Juan Barea, the reigning America East freshman of the week, led the NU offensive attack with 24 points, while Javorie Wilson added 19.
The Huskies rallied back from a 10-point deficit to take a one-point lead with under a minute remaining, but after a questionable blocking call on NU’s Cornelius Wright, the Lobos took a two-point lead with just 5.7 seconds remaining. Barea put up a desperation trey, which was about an inch away from giving the Huskies their third win of the season; instead, they stand at a respectable 2-2.
“We feel like we got beat by a whistle, not a team,” said head coach Ron Everhart.
As NU students were at their respective homes, giving thanks for good food and family last week, Everhart was giving thanks for his 100th and 101st win as a head basketball coach.
“I don’t score or defend out there on the court,” Everhart said. “I am just proud of the great guys that made it possible for me to win my 100th game.”
The Huskies started their week Tuesday night, stuffing Suffolk University 104-50 at Solomon Court. Then, five Huskies scored in double figures as the Northeastern men’s basketball team defeated Fordham 99-75 on Saturday night at home for their first two-game win streak of the season.
Sophomore Aaron Davis led the Huskies’ scoring barrage with 21 points, while Barea added 20 points and his six assists. Sylbrin Robinson had a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
“We are obviously a lot better than we were on opening night,” Everhart said. “I can’t wait to see how we are playing another two weeks down the road.”
Speaking of which, NU is currently in the midst of a three game road trip.
“I think it’s important to get out on the road, early in the season, with some of the young guys we have,” Everhart said.
Those young guys are coming up big for Northeastern this season. Freshman Adrian Martinez netted 18 points in the win against Suffolk, and freshman point guard Jose Juan Barea leads the team in points per game (20.3) and assists (22).
“We’ve got a really special team here,” Everhart said of the young squad. “Every guy goes out there and gives it his all.”
Coming into the season with so many new faces, nobody really knew what to expect from this group of guys. After this rather impressive start, it’s safe to say that things might get a little bit hotter during the winter up in Boston. The Huskies visit Northern Arizona Wednesday night and then come back to the East Coast to visit Penn State on Saturday afternoon, before ending their long week of travel to host Curry next Tuesday at 7 p.m.
