Harvard Earns No. 23 Spot in USA Today/ESPN Poll

The first day of shopping period is a hectic one for many students, but the Harvard men’s basketball team looks comfortable in the USA Today/ESPN Coach’s Poll, earning a spot for the sixth straight week and moving up to No. 23.

But the Crimson finds itself out of the AP Top 25 for the third straight week with only 32 points.

Harvard’s only competition in the past week was in its victorious trip to Hanover to take on Dartmouth in the team’s second Ancient Eight game of the season.  And while the Crimson prevailed, 54-38, the game was characterized by sloppy play on both sides.

Harvard missed its first nine field goal attempts, but freshman guard Corbin Miller notched 13 points coming off the bench to inspire the offense as the game progressed.

The Crimson will need to improve on its performance in Hanover, as the team travels to New Haven Saturday to take on Yale.

The Bulldogs, arguably Harvard’s toughest opponent remaining on the schedule, will rely on senior forward Greg Mangano on both sides of the court, as the big man is averaging 19.4 ppg, 2.5 bpg, and 10.3 rpg.

After facing the Elis, Harvard will travel halfway home before taking on Brown this Sunday to close out its Ancient Eight weekend road trip.