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New Year’s Resolutions: Harvard Crimson

Tommy Amaker

Over the course of the holiday week, we at College Basketball Talk will be detailing what we believe will be the New Year’s Resolutions of some of the nation’s most talented, most disappointing, and thoroughly enigmatic teams. What can we say, we’re in a giving mood.

Who else made Resolutions? Click here to find out.

WHAT DOES HARVARD PROMISE TO DO MORE OF?: Beat a Top 25 team.


  • Why it will happen: In most years, Harvard’s non-conference schedule would be more than suitable for an Ivy League team. They play two “reach games” against Colorado and Connecticut, and several games against solid mid-majors, such as Denver, Green Bay, Boston University, and Vermont. However, this season isn’t like most years. Harvard has a chance to make some serious noise in March, but they have left themselves with a dearth of opportunities for a marquee win. They squandered an opportunity at Colorado, but have a chance to redeem themselves at Connecticut in January. The Huskies have holes in their front-court, which happens to be an area of strength for Harvard. The Crimson need this win to legitimize themselves.
  • Why it won’t happen: At full-strength, Harvard has the ability to go toe-to-toe with nearly any team in America, but the issue is they’ve been playing without two of their top players for much of the season: forward Kenyatta Smith and guard Brandyn Curry. Curry has been out with a strained Achilles, and if he isn’t back in time for this game, Harvard will have a difficult time coping with UConn’s guards. Siyani Chambers may be able to hold Shabazz Napier in check, but dealing with Ryan Boatright and Omar Calhoun will be a tall task.

WHAT DOES HARVARD SWEAR THEY WILL DO LESS OF?: Tommy Amaker will hopefully go to his bench more.


  • Why it will happen: Brandyn Curry will return to the Harvard rotation at some point this season, although there is no timetable. Kenyatta Smith’s injury is more serious than Curry’s, and his return is still in doubt, but he figures to be back for Ivy League play. With these two back, Harvard becomes a much deeper team. Currently, Tommy Amaker is playing with a short bench as Jonah Travis and Evan Cummins are the only two seeing significant minutes. Per Ken Pomeroy, Harvard’s bench is playing just 22.7% of the minutes (335th nationally).
  • Why it won’t happen: The return of Curry and Smith will allow Amaker to play with a nine or ten man rotation, however, the fact that there is no timetable for the return raises red flags. Will either be healthy enough to play against UConn on January 8th? Will they be back for the “14 game tournament,” otherwise known as Ivy League regular season play. There aren’t too many flaws with this Harvard squad -- they are one of the most consistent teams in the country -- and even though they are the best team in the Ivy League this year, don’t be surprised if they slip up once or twice if Curry and/or Smith aren’t healthy.

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