The Northeastern men’s basketball team really started clicking towards the middle of the 2002-2003 season and looked like they were becoming a favorite to take the AE title and earn a trip to the 2003 NCAA tournament. Injuries plagued the Huskies, however, and prevented the team from keeping their starters on the court when crunch time came along.

With that in mind, third-year head coach Ron Everhart signed two stud prospects, D’wan Youmans and Bennett Davis, to add depth to this battle tested bunch of veterans and second-year players.

Going into his senior year at Arlington Country Day High School in Jacksonville, Fla., Youmans, a 6-foot-4 inch two-guard, was the 85th ranked recruit in the country and committed to play at Auburn. Unexpectedly, the Tigers failed to honor his letter of intent and set him loose. When word got to coach Everhart of his availability, he jumped at the opportunity to sign another guard, especially a highly touted recruit like Youmans.

“We’re a little thin at guard and with injuries to Adrian Martinez and Aaron Davis, it looks like D’wan is going to get more playing time than initially expected,” Everhart said.

The only other healthy two-guard on the team is Miami transfer Marcus Barnes, who was indirectly influential in getting Youmans to sign with NU.

“I watched Marcus a lot when he was at Miami and when I found out he was coming here I got interested,” Youmans said.

But the most influential person in his decision making process was himself.

“I knew they had a good program and I liked that I was going to have a good chance to get some quality minutes,” said Youmans, who says he’s looking forward to becoming a better defender this season.

He’ll have to adjust quickly to the Huskies style of play, because he’s going to be counted on a lot more now that two players at his position are expected to be out until at least January.

And don’t think what happened with Youmans and Auburn didn’t add a little kindling to his competitive fire.

“That’s going to make me work harder,” Youmans said. “I’m looking forward to playing and helping this team get to the NCAA tournament.”

Whereas Youmans was a late addition to NU’s recruiting class, Bennett Davis knew he wanted to be a Husky before he played his senior year at Milford Academy in Connecticut.

The 6’9″ forward, who is originally from the Bahamas, signed early last year and is expected to get a good amount of playing time this season.

“I like the situation they are putting me in,” said Davis. “I have the opportunity to improve as a player while also getting a chance to play a lot of minutes.”

When leading rebounder Sylbrin Robinson went down in the latter stages of the season last year, the Huskies had a huge void in the middle and although he fought his way back from a dislocated elbow and returned for the playoffs his injury exposed the Huskies lack of depth at forward. The addition of Bennet Davis could be a huge factor in how the season plays out, and at the very least should help keep Robinson fresh throughout the season and into the playoffs.

“Hopefully I’ll come in and have a positive impact on the team,” Davis said. “I’m just going to do what I have to do to help the team win games. Whether it be 20 minutes or five, I’m just ready to play.”

With injuries being a major factor in last season’s premature exit from the AE tournament and already taking their toll on this year’s squad before the season has even started, the signing of these two blue-chip prospects couldn’t be more clutch.

“I’m very confident with the guys we brought in,” Everhart said. “Not only are they good players, but they’re also good people and that’s what you need to have a good team.”

One question remains though; How is Northeastern landing such prominent recruits? The answer is simpler than you might think; It can be seen all over the roster. Nine out of the current 14 players on the Huskies roster attended high school in Florida, and out of those nine, four attended Miami Senior High School where current Husky Assistant Coach Frank Martin was head coach before coming to NU.

“Coach Martin knows a lot of people in that area,” Everhart said. “He was definitely instrumental in getting those guys to listen to us.”

While at Miami Senior High, Martin coached current Huskies Marcus Barnes, Sylbrin Robinson, Javorie Wilson and Cornellius Wright, and got a close up look at last year’s freshman class as all three of them (Jose Juan Barea, Adrian Martinez and Gene Oliynyk) went to high school in Miami.

“We recruit where we know,” Everhart, who is also from the south, said. “It also makes it easier when high school players see guys like Jose Juan Barea come up here and have success.”

With the season just a few weeks away, the Dogs, as injured as they may be, look primed for a title run and are hoping all of their freshmen can come in and contribute.

NU opens its regular season on Nov. 21 against the University of Rhode Island.