Harvard Crimson
Ivy League (18-13, 12-2)
This young Harvard team entered the 2017-2018 season with very high expectations. Despite their 12-2 record Ivy League action and a share of the conference regular season title, the Crimson did not live up to those expectations. But with a regular rotation that contains two freshmen, six sophomores and just one junior, the Crimson are getting better every day.
Big Wins: 11/24 vs St. Joseph’s (77-71), 1/26 at Yale (54-52), 2/10 Penn (76-67)
Bad Losses: 11/16 at Holy Cross (69-73), 11/18 at Manhattan (69-73), 2/2 at Columbia (76-83)
Coach: Tommy Amaker
Why They Can Surprise:
The frontcourt duo of sophomores Seth Towns and Chris Lewis has picked up right where they left off last year. Towns averages 16.0 points and 5.7 rebounds and is one of the most efficient three-point shooters in the country. Lewis does his scoring in the paint and will make life difficult on the other end of the floor for anybody who tries to get to the basket. With those two in the paint and 6-5 wing Justin Bassey adding another presence on the glass, Harvard can hold their own against anybody in the rebounding department.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The status of Bryce Aiken will be very important for Harvard. Aiken is averaging 14.1 points and 2.9 assists as a sophomore, but he has not been a regular in the lineup since December 6th due to a knee injury. Christian Juzang deserves a lot of credit for taking over the point guard duties and doing a fine job. He has been consistent with his three-point shot and does a good job of setting up his teammates, but is not the overall scoring threat that Aiken has been. And Corey Johnson and Justin Bassey have not been able to pick up the scoring slack on the perimeter on a consistent basis either.
Probable Starters:
Christian Juzang, Sophomore, Guard, 7.2 ppg, 2.7 apg
Corey Johnson, Junior, Guard, 6.4 ppg, 1.2 apg
Justin Bassey, Sophomore, Guard, 7.7 ppg, 2.5 apg
Seth Towns, Sophomore, Forward, 16.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg
Chris Lewis, Sophomore, Forward, 12.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.5 bpg
Key Role Players:
Bryce Aiken, Sophomore, Guard, 14.1 ppg, 2.9 apg
Robert Baker, Sophomore, Forward, 2.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg
Danilo Djuricic, Freshman, Forward, 5.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg
Rio Haskett, Freshman, Guard, 3.3 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 68.4 (295th in nation, 7th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 66.9 (42, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.1 (263, 7)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.0 (68, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.0 (135, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.8 (184, 4)
Free-Throw Percentage: 77.4 (15, 1)
Rebound Margin: 2.1 (109, 1)
Assists Per Game: 13.0 (225, 6)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.0 (281, 8)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2015 NCAA Round of 64 loss to North Carolina
2014 NCAA Round of 64 win over Cincinnati
2014 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Michigan State
2013 NCAA Round of 64 win over New Mexico
2013 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Arizona
2012 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Vanderbilt
2011 NIT First Round loss to Oklahoma State
2010 CIT First Round loss to Appalachian State
*all team stats through 3/4
