TOWSON, Md. - The Tigers (0-13, 0-1 CAA) will open the New Year with their second CAA game of the 2011-12 season as they take on Northeastern (4-7, 0-1 CAA) at 7 p.m. on Monday at the Towson Center Arena.
The Tigers fell in an early season league game against George Mason on Dec. 3 while Northeastern lost to Old Dominion in its only conference tilt.
This has been a very close series that the Huskies lead, 12-11. They have won two in a row following last year's victory, an 82-78 win at Matthew Arena.
The Huskies return four starters from a 11-20 (6-12) team that has has been up-and-down in their non-conference schedule.
They opened the season with a win over rival Boston University on the road followed by a road loss at UMass.
Things were looking up for the Huskies when they defeated Southern Illinois at home by 64-57, which was followed by a 78-64 road win over St. John's.
But after that, the Huskies suffered six straight losses to La Salle, Old Dominion, Bradley, Princeton, Louisiana Tech and N.C. State.
Northeastern snapped the six-game skid on Friday with a victory at Vermont.
Northeastern averages 63.3 points per game while allowing 69.1 points per contest. The Huskies shoot 41% from the floor and 29% from beyond the arc while their opponents shoot 44% from the floor and 32.4% from beyond the arc.
The Huskies have had issues with turnovers this season, averaging 18 turnovers per game while forcing 15 turnovers per contest. However, the Huskies are strong on the boards as they have a +3.1 rebounding margin.
The Huskies offer one of the best backcourts in the CAA in juniors Joel Smith (6-4, 180) and Jonathan Lee (6-2, 200). Lee leads Northeastern in both scoring (13.5 points per game) and assists (3.7 average). He shoots 45% from the floor and 34% from beyond the arc (14-41). He also averages 4.7 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game, but leads the team with 36 turnovers.
Smith averages 12.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 38% from the floor. He also shoots 33.3% (25-75) from beyond the arc and 96% (23-24) from the line. He has 30 assists and 31 turnovers in 11 games.
Senior Kashief Edwards (6-5, 195) normally gets the start but came off the bench at Vermont. He has started 10 of 11 games, averaging 6.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game while shooting 40% from the floor and 72% from the line.
Redshirt sophomore Alwayne Bibgy (6-5, 210) started against the Catamounts on Friday night and played 22 minutes. He averages 3.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game and is considered one of the best defenders on the team.
At the post, sophomore Ryan Pierson (6-10, 235) made his first start of the season against Vermont on Friday night. He is averaging 2.2 points and 1.2 rebounds per game in just 11.2 minutes per contest. Last year, Pierson earned CAA All-Rookie Team honors after averaging 7.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Freshman Reggie Spencer (6-7, 210) has started five of 11 games this season. He averages 7.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game to lead the team. He also averages 23.7 minutes per game while shooting 59% from the floor and 70% from the line; he is also second on the team with 11 blocks.
Another freshman, Quincy Ford (6-8, 212), has given the team another post presence. This team may lack a true star up front, but the Huskies make up for it with good depth. Ford averages 8.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game with 18 steals and 11 blocks in 11 games (four starts). He shoots 37% from the floor and 24% (8-33) from beyond the arc.
Junior Kauri Black (6-7, 220) adds another big body who can start or come off the bench. Black averages 6.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while leading the team with 12 blocks.
Freshman Marco Banegas-Flores (6-1, 190) has been one of the top backcourt reserves this season. He averages 1.2 points per game in just 7.3 minutes per outing. Smith averages 33.1 minutes and Lee averages 35.5 minutes, so there's not a lot of playing time for any other guard.
The game can be heard on WNST-AM 1570 with Spiro Morekas and Vince Angotti calling the action. Make sure to also catch the in-game blog on TowsonTigers.com beginning at 6:45 p.m.
