Basketball season tips off on Friday against rival BU

For Northeastern basketball fans, the wait is finally over. On Friday the men’s and women’s basketball teams will open their 2016-17 seasons with a home doubleheader against crosstown rival Boston University.

Both Huskies squads advanced to the Colonial Athletic Association semifinal round last season and have their sights set on improving on those outcomes this year.

The women’s team tips off at 3 p.m. at Cabot Center. There will be a camouflage hat giveaway at the game. Northeastern has bested the Terriers in the past three matchups. This year marks head coach Kelly Cole’s third at the helm of the women’s basketball program.

The men’s team will host the Terriers at Matthews Arena at 7 p.m. In last season’s thrilling matchup at BU, the Huskies came out on top in overtime after then-senior Caleb Donnelly hit a 3-pointer in the closing seconds. Northeastern has beaten the Terriers in five of the past six meetings. Bill Coen will tip off his 11th season as head coach, which is the third longest tenure of any head coach in program history.

Fans will also get the chance to receive a free shooting jersey—the same style jersey the Northeastern players will wear during the game—with the word “Huskies” written across the front in camo.

To keep the fanfare going in between games, stop by the “Event in the Tent” in the parking lot behind Matthews Arena at 5 p.m. In addition to meeting student-athletes, there will be music, food, and giveaways.