Tuesday, November 11th, 4:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Crisler Arena (13,751) -- Ann Arbor, Michigan. Television: None. Home Record Northeastern 0-0, IUPUI 0-0. Away Record Northeastern 0-0, IUPUI 0-0. Neutral Record Northeastern 0-0, IUPUI 0-0. Conference Record Northeastern 0-0, IUPUI 0-0. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: The Northeastern Huskies and IUPUI Jaguars open up their respective basketball seasons against one another this afternoon in Ann Arbor, as they take part in opening round action of the 2K Sports Classic Benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer.

Bill Coen's Huskies finished three games under .500 last season at 14-17, but a lot is expected of the team this season, as NU has been tabbed to finish fourth in the Colonial Athletic Association.

Ron Hunter's Jaguars had a much better 2007-08 campaign, finishing with 26 wins against just seven defeats. However, the team has lost some key personnel and the injury bug has already hit hard, leaving IUPUI a little thin to begin the season.

This game marks the first-ever meeting between these two teams. The winner will take on either Michigan or Michigan Tech tomorrow for the right to represent the Ann Arbor Regional in New York City.

Following a 9-9 season in league play, the Huskies welcome back virtually all of their key contributors, including all five starters. Junior swingman Matt Janning is the best of the bunch, as he ranked third in the league in scoring with 16.1 ppg last season. He was selected to the All-CAA second team and will begin this season as a preseason first-team member. Sophomore guard Chaisson Allen (9.2 ppg) is back after his All-Rookie campaign. Other key returnees include the junior frontcourt tandem of Manny Adako (10.6 ppg) and Nkem Ojougboh (9.9 ppg/6.4 rpg). The Huskies are always a dangerous foe because of their ability to play shutdown defense. Last season, the Huskies held opponents to just 64 points per game.

The Jaguars' success last season had a lot to do with George Hill, who was named the MVP of the Summit League. However, Hill decided to leave school early and enter the NBA Draft, becoming a first-round selection of the San Antonio Spurs. Clearly, his 21.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 4.3 apg will be missed this year. So will the 13.7 ppg of fellow departed starter Austin Montgomery. On a positive note, Gary Patterson and Billy Pettiford are back in place to lead the squad. Patterson (12.9 ppg) is one of the school's all-time three-point shooters and is a big reason why the team led the nation in treys a year ago. However, his long range accuracy will be missed for a couple of weeks, as he suffered a broken left hand in late October and will be unable to begin the season. As for Pettiford, he tallied 8.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg and 2.8 apg. The 6-7 junior will be called upon to shoulder more of the scoring burden in Patterson's absence. Jon Avery (10.7 ppg) will also be called upon, as he goes from being a key reserve, to the starting lineup.

IUPUI is a dangerous offensive team, but comes in a bit shorthanded in this one. Northeastern doesn't do anything flashy, but the Huskies play fundamentally sound basketball and if they can limit the Jaguars' open looks, Northeastern could find itself with a hard-fought season-opening victory.

Predicted Outcome

Northeastern 63, IUPUI 61