PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Northeastern didn't exactly comply with the way Providence had hoped to usher in the Keno Davis Era.

Davis, who took over a senior-laden team with five starters back and also the return of point guard Sharaud Curry and Randall Hanke, didn't seem fazed after losing his first game at the helm on Saturday night.

``They put it to us," Davis said matter-of-factly.

The Friars had a chance to put Northeastern away early, but let the Huskies hang around - and Matt Janning and Eugene Speights made key plays down the stretch to hang on for a 70-66 victory.

It was Northeastern's first victory against Providence in 82 years.

The Friars were picked to finish 10th in the Big East, but there are some that feel 10 teams may wind up getting into the NCAA tournament this season. Providence is still getting adjusted to a new system employed by Davis which gives the players more freedom on both ends of the court.

``We want to kill for that guy," said Providence big man Jonathan Kale, who finished with 15 points and five rebounds. "It hurts to lose his first game as our head coach."

The Friars now face a trio of must-win games before heading west for the Anaheim Classic. They have Dartmouth, Sacred Heart and Maine at home before opening in Anaheim against Baylor.

Northeastern already had a pair of games under its belt - including a loss at Michigan - and the experience, along with a Labor Day trip to Canada - was apparent.

Janning, who didn't play up to par against Michigan on national television, was terrific in the victory over Providence, He finished with 24 points and six rebounds and doesn't ever appear to get rattled.

One of the reasons is because Janning has already played 10 road games against big-time opponents since his college career began. The Huskies were 0-for-10 - until now.

``It feels phenomenal," Janning said. "We lost a couple of close ones last year to Maryland and BC, so it's nice to finally get one. It's a chip off everyone's shoulder."

Coen has done a remarkable job of getting Northeastern to where it can contend for the CAA title in just his third season at the helm. He has basically turned over.

``We want to put ourselves in a position at the end of the year to be in postseason play," Coen said.

This one will certainly help.

UPSET OF THE DAY

The biggest upset of the day came late at night when Portland defeated Washington, 80-74. The Huskies are expected to battle for an NCAA tournament spot with the return of Jon Brockman, but point guard play remains a question mark for Lorenzo Romar's club.

Venoy Overton played 30 minutes and had nine points, four turnovers and three assists. Freshman Isaiah Thomas played 15 minutes, had 10 points and three turnovers and two assists.

Quincy Pondexter also had a rough season-opener, going scoreless in 25 minutes. Brockman had 30 points and 14 boards.

RANDOM NOTES: The first game of the Bobby Maze Era at Tennessee went well with the junior college transfer finishing with 12 points, 10 assists and just one turnover in a rout against Chaattanooga. ... Memphis freshman Tyreke Evans led the Tigers with 19 points in a rout over Fairfield. ... Today's your opportunity to see one of the nation's top perimeter shooters, Rhode Island's Jimmy Baron, when the Rams face Duke on ESPNU at 4:30 p.m. ET