UMass basketball opponent scouting report: Game 7, Northeastern

The Minutemen head to Matthews Arena to take on the Huskies on Tuesday night.

Let's take a look at UMass basketball's next opponent, the Northeastern Huskies.

Northeastern 4-3

Game Quick Facts

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 4
Time: 7 p.m.
Site: Matthews Arena, Boston
TV: None
Radio: 105.5 FM WEEI, 1440 AM WEEI, 95.9 FM WATD

Projected lineup

• Joel Smith, G
Sr., 6-4, 180 lbs
7 G, 7 GS, 18.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.6 APG
• Marco Banegas-Flores, G
So., 6-1, 190 lbs
7 G, 7 GS, 3.3 PPG, 2.1 RPG
• Zach Stahl, G
Fr., 6-5, 201 lbs.
7 G, 7 GS, 5.9 PPG, 1.7 RPG
• Quincy Ford, F
So., 6-8, 212 lbs.
7 G, 7 GS, 13.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG,
• Reggie Spencer, F
Sr., 6-7, 210 lbs.
7 G, 7 GS, 11.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG

Player to watch

Joel Smith, G

Smith has scored the ball from everywhere this season — shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc, 44 percent overall and 82 percent from the free-throw line, while moving up to No. 3 all-time in school history in terms of 3-pointers made. He's also been a workhorse for the Huskies, averaging 36 minutes per game. In a contest where perimeter defense will be a huge key for the Minutemen, defending Smith will be task No. 1.

Last Five Games

Nov. 17 — v. Vermont (55-66 L)
Nov. 21 — v. California-Riverside (61-52 W)
Nov. 23 — v. Belmont (Great Alaska Shootout) (74-71 W)
Nov. 25 — v. Charlotte (Great Alaska Shootout) (59-67 L)
Nov. 28 — v. Maine (73-76 L)

Notes

• Perimeter defense will be extremely important for UMass against an undersized Huskies team. Northeastern shoots 38.5 percent from beyond the arc, and is averaging more seven 3s per game. While those numbers aren't world-beating, they're good enough to give the Huskies a chance despite not having a starter over 6-8
• Northeastern has overcome double-digit deficits in all but one of its four victories.