Season Preview - Harvard Crimson

Posted by IvyConniver at 17 Nov, 2008

Projected Finish: 4th Place

Last Season Conference Record: 3-11 (t-6th)
Last Season Overall: 8-22 (.267)
RPI Last 5 years: 308-196-214-188-307

Review & Outlook:

When a new coach takes over a losing squad there are often wholesale changes made. In his second year, Tommy Amaker made blowout firesale type changes. You don’t need a Harvard education to figure out that bringing in 7 freshman recruits minus 1 senior graduate doesn’t equal team harmony. In fact, the roster changes were so severe that they warranted a New York Times article detailing the player cuts. Controversy has been swirling with rumors that questionable recruiting tactics have been used, and that Harvard lowered its required Academic Index resulting in more lenient player acceptances to the school. On top of that, Harvard announced last year that they’re upping their financial aid capabilities. Families making up to $180,000 a year will be charged only 10% or less of their income for tuition and other expenses. This adds an interesting loophole creating what amounts to near full scholarships for many recruits. Add all of this up, shake it around, and it’s no wonder Amaker’s freshmen are hyped as some of the best in the league. Now he’ll have to find a way to fit the pieces of the puzzle together.

All in all, this is a team that can either challenge for the upper tier of the league, or will merely be another disappointment with upset potential. If Pat Magnarelli can stay healthy as a presence in the post, and some of these freshman can produce, Harvard at the very least has the potential to ruin Cornell’s shot for a 2nd straight title.

BACKCOURT: B-
BENCH/DEPTH: A
FRONTCOURT: B
INTANGIBLES: D

Starters Returning:
Jeremy Lin, Jr., G, 6-2, 180 12.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.6 apg
Pat Magnarelli, Jr., F, 6-7, 215 10.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.1 apg
Evan Harris, Sr., F, 6-9, 200 10.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.5 apg
Drew Housman, Sr., G, 6-0, 185 10.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.2 apg
Andrew Pusar, Sr., G, 6-2, 200 8.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.5 apg
Starters Lost:
None
Others Lost:
Brad Unger, Sr - Graduated
Cem Dinc, Jr, potentially academically ineligible, left the team
Ndu Okereke, So , cut by Amaker
Darryl Finkton, So - Knee injuries limited his playtime, cut by Amaker
Alek Blankenau, So , left the team on his own accord
Kyle Fitzgerald, Fr , cut by Amaker
Adam Demuyakor, Fr , cut by Amaker
T.J. Carey, Fr , cut by Amaker

Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Drew Housman
SG: Jeremy Lin
SF: Andrew Pusar
PF: Pat Magnarelli
C: Evan Harris

Key Reserves:
Max Kenyi, G, 6-5 Fr.

Digging a little deeper

Strengths:
• Depth. Harvard returns 5 starters (albeit from a 3-11 team) and brings in SEVEN highly anticipated freshman recruits. Even if just 2 or 3 of these guys can log serious minutes Harvard will have the personnel to keep the defensive pressure on.

Weaknesses:
• Team turmoil has got to be pervasive on this squad. Cutting 5 players and having 2 others leave the team in a single off season will destroy chemistry and morale. Add questionable recruiting tactics by Amaker’s staff, and the microscope will be focused on these youngsters all year.
• This team didn’t win a road game all last year. They’ll have to be mentally tougher to stay in contention.

Key Factors:
• Magnarelli missed most of his freshman year to a back injury, and most of his sophomore year to a knee injury. Can he stay healthy enough to be a major force in the paint?

Incoming Class:
• Max Kenyi, G, 6-5 180lb - athletic shut-down defender, could contend for a starting spot immediately
• Oliver McNally, G, 6-3 180 lb — Point guard with decent shot
• Peter Boehm, F, 6-7 200lb - can play all five positions
• Hugh Martin, F, 6-5 215lb — polished midrange game
• Andrew Van Nest, F, 6-9 220lb - can step outside and shoot from the perimeter
• Keith Wright, F, 6-7 240lb - can post up or flash high for the elbow jumper
• Peter Swiatek, C, 6-7 240lb - traditional center, prefers to be in the post

Harvard Roster

#	Player	Pos	Yr	Hgt	Wgt	Scouting
3	Dan McGeary	G	Jr	6-1	180	- 82% of his shots were for 3, only hit 31%
4	Jeremy Lin	G	Jr	6-3	200	+ 2nd team All-Ivy guard + Lead the league in steals, and rebounds by a guard - Not a shooter
10	Drew Housman	G	Sr	6-0	185	+ Point Guard with good handle + 37% 3pt shooter + 87% free throw shooter
11	Oliver McNally	G	Fr	6-3	180	+ Point guard with decent shot
13	Peter Boehm	F	Fr	6-6	200	+ Versatile “Ivy” type player
15	Hugh Martin	F	Fr	6-5	215	+ polished midrange game
20	Andrew Van Nest	F	Fr	6-10	235	– Out for the year with a shoulder injury + Rivals.com “best incoming power forward in Ivy’s”
22	Evan Harris	F	Yr	6-8	230	+ Very athletic + Averages 10pts and 5 rebounds + 76% FT shooter
23	Max Kenyi	G	Fr	6-4	180	+ athletic shut-down defender + Gatorade Player of the Year for Washington, D.C
24	Doug Miller	F	Jr	6-7	220	+ Strong banger down low
25	Peter Swiatek	C	Fr	6-7	240	+ traditional center, good post moves
32	Andrew Pusar	G	Sr	6-2	200	+ Shot 52% from the field, 36% from 3
33	Pat Magnarelli	F	Jr	6-7	215	- Coming back from a knee injury last year - Great rebounder and post presence
42	Keith Wright	F	Fr	6-8	240	+ Tough low post banger + Good touch on 15′ jumper