The Northeastern Huskies and the La Salle Explorers meet Saturday in college basketball action from Tom Gola Arena. Northeastern is 1-0 on the young season following an opener victory versus Boston U. As for La Salle, they’re coming off a win as well, theirs versus Drexel on Tuesday. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

Northeastern Huskies 

The Huskies posted another disappointing campaign last year, going just 10-20 overall with a 6-12 record in CAA play. Northeastern finished ahead of only Hampton and Monmouth (both 5-13) with that run, and fell to Delaware 77-74 (OT) in the first game of the conference tournament at season’s end. 

Northeastern managed to come back from a 34-31 halftime deficit versus Boston U in their first game this season. The Huskies scored 36 points in the second to power out the victory 67-58. Luka Dakota led the charge on his 17 points and five assists. Chris Doherty doubled up with 15 points and 10 rebounds. 

La Salle Explorers

Over on the La Salle side, they’re coming off a sketchy (but slightly improved) season themselves at 15-19 overall and 7-11 in Atlantic 10 games. The Explorers landed just three spots out of the basement in the standings, but did beat Rhode Island and Duquesne before falling to Fordham in the A-10 Tournament. 

In their first action of the year versus Drexel on Tuesday, La Salle went into the second half with a 32-32 tie. The Explorers scored 35 points from there and powered out the win 67-61. Jhamir Brickus posted 18 points with five rebounds to lead the charge, while Anwar Gill put up 15 points, four rebounds and two assists. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll lean toward Northeastern, but you could make a case either way. This should be a pretty well-balanced matchup, and I expect it to be close. The Huskies shot 43.4 percent from the field in their opener, securing a 35-34 rebounding advantage and a solid 15-of-18 (83.3 percent) at the foul line. The total scoring was pretty top-heavy and didn’t feature a ton of depth, though. 

La Salle had a similar result in their first game of the year versus Drexel. The Explorers shot 43.9 percent from the floor with 35 rebounds, but went a sketchy 11-of-18 (61.1 percent) from the line. I like game two to be pretty competitive, as this matchup will likely be decided late. Should be a fun one, but I like Northeastern slightly better cover-wise.