Head Coach Bill Coen (left) and the Huskies will be racking up cross-country miles this fall.
by Michael Petillo
BOSTON -The Northeastern men’s basketball team released their non-conference schedule last Wednesday, unveiling a challenging twelve game slate that’s sure to get Huskies fans excited about the start of the new season. Coach Bill Coen’s squad will certainly be racking up their frequent flyer miles this fall, with trips all over the country throughout the season’s first month and a half.
An appearance in the PK80 tournament, including away games at Big 5 powers Stanford and Ohio State, headline the non-conference slate.
Per tradition, NU will start the season on Nov. 10 against Boston University, this time on the Terrier’s home court. Last year the two teams squared off twice, with each side winning one game apiece. After a home contest against Wentworth, the Huskies will jump into the heart of their non-conference slate when they head out to California to take on Stanford on Nov. 17 as part of the PK80 Invitational. The tournament is being held this year to celebrate the birthday of Nike co-founder Phil Knight, who will turn 80 in February.
The Huskies will face a quick two day turnaround as they travel from Palo Alto to Columbus to take on Ohio State and first year head coach Chris Holtmann, who takes over for the Buckeyes after the surprise firing of Thad Matta early this summer. Coming off a huge upset win at Michigan State last year, Northeastern will be hungry to knock off another Big 10 opponent on the road. The Huskies PK80 appearance concludes in Nashville with two neutral site games against Utah State and Furman on the weekend of Nov. 24.
Coming off that long stretch of road games, Northeastern will return to the friendly confines of Matthews Arena for a four-game homestand. The team will play host to Harvard, Cornell, Bucknell, and Vermont. Last season NU dropped road contests against the two Ivy League schools, while squeaking past Vermont in Burlington.
The end of the out-of-conference schedule sees Northeastern back on the road, with games against Kent State and St. Bonaventure. The Golden Flashes gave NU a tough game at Matthews last season, with the Huskies hanging on to record a narrow three point victory.
Following a ten-day Christmas break, Northeastern will return for the start of the CAA schedule which tips off on the road against James Madison on Dec. 30.