Today is the first day NCAA basketball teams are allowed to practice, and it’s the last day of our CAA previews for the season. Here’s a look at this year’s version of the Northeastern Huskies.

2010-11: The Huskies finished 10^th in the CAA with a 6-12 conference record and ended the season at a mark of 11-20. Despite 16 points from junior Jon Lee and 13 from Chase Allen, the Huskies came up short in the conference tournament and lost to Delaware in the first round, 60-58. The Huskies picked up play in the second half of the season, winning seven of their last 12 games, with the five losses coming by only a combined 20 points. However, the late-season surge was not enough to erase a dismal 4-15 start, which was centered on a nine-game losing streak from Dec. 29-Jan.22. NU finally snapped its streak with a 70-67 win over William and Mary Jan. 24, marking the team’s first conference win of the year after starting 0-8 in league contests. However, there were some positives to take from the season. Along with the expected strong performances from Allen, Lee and junior Joel Smith had breakout seasons, averaging 11.8 and 12.2 points per game respectively after contributing minimal time in their freshmen season (2009-10).

Key Losses:

• Chaisson Allen: Allen averaged 16.4 points per game and pulled in a team-best 6.1 rebounds per game. The first-team All-CAA selection also led the team with 3.7 assists and 2.1 steals per game, while ranking in the top six in the conference for points, assists and steals. There’s no question Allen was the go-to guy last season, but it’s his defense that will be missed the most. For the third-straight season, Allen was named to the CAA All-Defensive team and finished his career with 232 steals, which is second best in school history behind Andre LaFleur (252). With the departure of Allen, the Huskies will miss his range from the 3-point line. He shot 38 percent from beyond the arc last season, and his 180 career 3-pointers rank third in school history behind Jose Juan Barea (255) and Matt Janning (223).
• Alex Harris: Harris, who left Northeastern and is now at Cal State-Fullerton, appeared in 30 games as a freshman. He led all CAA rookies with 1.3 steals per game and possessed a defensive skill set that is an asset one team can never have enough of. He averaged 6.4 points per game, and made four starts last season.

Key Returns:

• Joel Smith: After averaging just seven minutes per game in 2009-10, the junior guard saw a massive increase and played 30.5 minutes, while starting 26 games and appearing in 31. Smith scored 12.2 points per game and was a deep threat, shooting 42.5 percent from the arc. Smith, who was named a captain for 2011-12, led the team in scoring for four straight games from Jan. 15-22. With the absence of Allen, it is certain that Smith will help shoulder the load on offense.
• Jonathan Lee: The junior guard is the other captain alongside Smith, and the two share similar stories. Lee saw 29.7 minutes per game last season after getting just 4.1 his freshman season. Lee started 23 games last season and also appeared in all 31, and he set an NU single-season record with a 47.2 3-point shooting percentage. Lee also led the Huskies last season in field goal percentage (.502) and free-throw percentage (.846). Lee scored a career-best 25 points in an 84-83 win over UNC Asheville on Feb. 19 and led the team in scoring eight times.
• Alwayne Bigby: The Huskies are anticipating the return of Bigby, who missed all of last season with a stress fracture in his foot after starting the first seven games of the season. Bigby showed promise in the first two games, scoring seven points and both and grabbing eight rebounds in a 63-62 OT win over Southern Illinois. In 2009-10, Bigby established himself as a top-notch defender and recorded 28 steals. Undoubtedly, the Huskies missed his defense last season as the team gave up 70.4 points per game, second to last in the conference.
• Ryan Pierson: The 6-foot-10 inch forward/center adds height to the team that will be critical in establishing position under the glass. Pierson, who started 29 games as a freshman last season, averaged 7.5 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Twice, he led the team in rebounds with totals of eight and seven, and with the absence of Allen, Pierson will have his work cut out for him under the boards. With Lee and Smith working the perimeter, it will be as equally important for Pierson to establish his post game.
• Kauri Black: After missing half his freshman year due to injury, Black returned in 2010-11 to start 26 games and appeared in all 31. He averaged 6.2 points and 4 rebounds per game, and the 6-7 junior forward can create havoc with Pierson under the basket. Black displayed his rebounding abilities, leading the team with rebounds nine times and kicked off the season with a career-best 12 rebounds. Also, the Huskies can look to Black to create second chances, as he led the team with 50 offensive rebounds.

2011-2012 Outlook: The Huskies lack a true senior on the roster, but will certainly have the experience required to better their record from last season. Despite losing Allen, the Huskies return a strong backcourt in Lee and Smith. The Huskies ranked last in the CAA with 19.5 defensive rebounds per game, but Black and Pierson should have more of an impact under the glass this season. More importantly, the acquisition of Niagara forward Kashief Edwards, who will be immediately eligible as a graduated senior, brings a strong resume to Northeastern. He averaged 12.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game last year, and he led Niagara with 186 rebounds and led with 78 offensive rebounds. Black and Edwards will create a lot of second chances for Northeastern, which could be trouble for opponents. The freshman class features 6-8 forward Quincy Ford and 6-7 forward Reggie Spencer. It’s too early to gauge the impact of the freshmen, but the two bring serious height to the roster. The return of Bigby is promising on defense, and the Huskies have the potential to dominate from the 3-point line.

-Anthony Gulizia

WRBB Sports Basketball CAA, Fall Preview