What to expect: VCU host Northeastern

The VCU Rams boast a winning record against every team in the Colonial Athletic Association except Northeastern. Saturday night coach Shaka Smart will be looking to improve upon his abysmal 1-4 record against a Huskies program that isn’t exactly a CAA powerhouse.

February 3, 2012; 9:51 AM • by Aaron Williams

• What: VCU Rams (19-5, 10-2) host Northeastern Huskies (11-11, 7-5)
• Where: Stuart C. Siegel Center
• When: Saturday, February 4th at 7pm
• Tickets: Sold-out
• Watch: The Comcast Network
• Listen: 107.3 or Online

VCU vs. Northeastern is a white-out!

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The Rundown

The VCU Rams boast a winning record against every team in the Colonial Athletic Association except Northeastern–holding a surprising 6-6 record against the conference’s northernmost team. Even more surprisingly, five of those losses have happened since Northeastern started playing basketball in the CAA in 2006.

Northeastern is VCU’s conference Kryptonite, and Saturday night coach Shaka Smart will be looking to improve upon his abysmal 1-3 record against a Huskies program that isn’t exactly a CAA powerhouse.

The Team

In many ways, Northeastern is one the CAA’s biggest question marks this year. While Georgia State has grabbed headlines, Northeastern has quietly moved to 7-5 in the conference and both teams are fighting for 5th place.

The main reason the Rams have struggled against the Huskies in the past is Northeastern’s slow pace. Since Bill Coen took over as head coach in 2007, the Huskies have consistently had one of the slowest tempos in the country. This year’s team is no different, but it has one glaring flaw: the Huskies turn the ball over on 24.1% of possessions (320th of 345 nationally). VCU is 3rd nationally in stealing % and the Huskies will undoubtedly be tested as the Rams “HAVOC” defense put incredible pressure on the ball from baseline to baseline.

The Star

Junior PG Jonathan Lee leads the Huskies in minutes, points, assists, FG%, and 3PFG%. Playing more than 36 minutes per game, Lee has scored double digits in every game in 2012 and in 20 of NU’s 22 games this season.

The Prediction

Ken Pomeroy picks VCU to win 69-56 with a 90% chance of victory.

Northeastern Profile

• Location: Boston, MA
• Conference: CAA
• All time series: VCU is tied with NU 6-6.
• Last meeting: VCU lost 80-91 in Boston.

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February 3, 2012 9:51 AM 0