Game 33: Harvard (NCAA Tournament)

Well after two weeks and a delayed flight we finally get to play another basketball game. This time though it's one and done. No more tournaments to get ready for. No more do overs. Lose and Shay and Aurelie watch games from the stands. It also marks our "Back For Seconds" Tour. Our first course is Harvard in the lovely confines of the Hartford Civic Center.

We win we get the winner of TCU/Mississippi on Tuesday night. Today's game is on ESPN and should be without interruption.

Harvard

Record: 15-12, 1-2 (Neutral)

Common Opponents: Marist (L, 74-68), Boston College (W, 68-58)

Most Points Allowed: 96

Fewest Points Scored: 51

Team Information - Stats

Team has won 12 straight, all against Ivy League teams.

Allowing 65.1 points per game, while scoring 67.8 ppg.

Outrebounding opponents 37.5-32.0.

Shoot .457 from the field and .330 from 3, but don't take that many 3s. Only one person on the team has shoot more than 50 and only one person has made more than 10.

Allow opponents to shoot .406 from the floor and .322 from 3. Since I haven't seen them play, it looks like they may pack in in deep and let teams shoot 3s as opponents have shot 484 of them. In contrast we have only allowed opponents to shoot 462 in 5 fewer games.

They only go about 8 deep.

They average about 20 turnovers per game.

It looks like their whole offense takes place within the 3-point line.

Players to Watch - Roster

Emily Tay - a 5'8 guard who is the primary ball handler. Leads the team in points, steals, assists and turnovers. Not a 3-point shooter. Likes to shoot and shoot. Taken nearly 90 more shots than her teammates.

Lindsay Hallion - a 5'9 guard. Second on the team in points, steals, assists and turnovers. Again not a three-point shooter.

Niki Finelli - the team's main 3-point shooter. 5'11. third on the team in scoring and second in rebounding.

Katie Rollins - 6-3 post player and looks to be their main player. Not a great rebounder and will get in foul trouble.

Christina Lackner - 6-1 post player. fifth on the team in points, leads in rebounds. will shoot the 3. very foul prone, fouled out of 6 games.

Emma Moretzsohn - 6-7 post player who plays 12 minutes a game. team's leading shot blocker.

Liz Tindal and Jess Knox. post and guard subs, neither plays more than 15 mins per game. Knox will shoot more and take 3s.

Keys to the Game

Get at them from the start. It's been a while for us and no need to play slow. We should be able to run the ball up and down the court on them. The last team with speed they played was California in November. Anything under 90 will be disappointing.

Feed Crystal and Harper all game. their post players are foul prone and we should be able to exploit them. I would hope Crystal gets her points and then Harper gets the ball 5 possessions in a row to reestablish her confidence.

Guard their guards. We struggle with penetrating guards and we need to get better as the tournament goes on.

Rebound the ball.

Show emotion and that killer instinct we saw in Greensboro.

Get Toliver out of her moping phase.