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Colorado’s second half run results in a missed opportunity for Harvard

Tommy Amaker

At halftime of their game at Colorado on Sunday afternoon, the Harvard Crimson had the look of a team poised to grab a needed resume-building victory. Leading 42-30, the Crimson executed well on both ends of the floor, finding quality shots offensively while limiting Colorado’s quality looks on the other end.

But as the Crimson began to wear down the Buffaloes were able to wrestle away control of the game with an 18-2 second half run, going on to win 70-62 with Spencer Dinwiddie leading four scorers in double figures with 17 points. But in the win there are concerns for Colorado moving forward, and with non-conference games against Kansas (December 7) and Oklahoma State (December 21 in Las Vegas) still yet to be played the Buffaloes’ execution on both ends needs to become more consistent.

Another concern going forward has to be the shooting of junior guard Askia Booker. Booker scored 12 points on Sunday but did so by shooting 5-for-15 from the field. And on the season he’s shooting 39.3%, and while that’s an improvement on his field goal percentage from a season ago (36.4%) Colorado won’t reach their full potential if Booker isn’t knocking down shots (and just as importantly, taking good shots) at a decent clip.

While Colorado picks up a solid win for their resume the same can’t be said for Harvard, and a look at their remaining non-conference schedule reveals just how important Sunday’s result was. Harvard still has games against Boston College and UConn, and their Great Alaska Shootout opener against Denver will be tougher than some realize. But there aren’t a high number of opportunities to land wins over teams from major conference remaining on the schedule. And if Harvard were to somehow not win the Ivy League that could be an issue for a team that has the look of a group capable of racking up a lot of wins this season.

The return of veterans Kyle Casey and Brandyn Curry gives Harvard two talented players who earned All-Ivy honors before missing the entire 2012-13 season. Add them to a group of returnees from last season’s NCAA tournament squad, which includes guards Siyani Chambers and Laurent Rivard and forward Wesley Saunders, and the Crimson have the pieces needed to not only return to the NCAA tournament but also win a game once there.

But their non-conference schedule doesn’t give Harvard much room for error once Ivy League play begins in January. Harvard should win the Ivy League once again, but if they don’t that could mean trouble come Selection Sunday.

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