Breaking it Down
Analysts Vary in Opinion of Harvard's Upset Chances
March is when the sports stats community comes out of hibernation in the name of ‘bracketology’, with multiple predictions trying to put a number on the Crimson’s chances.
Michigan State Brings Balanced, Sharp Shooting Team to Spokane
Michigan State plays in the mold of its coach as a tough defensive team with a host of rugged post defenders that clean up the defensive glass.
Head to Head: How Harvard and Cincinnati Match Up
Both teams’ hopes rest on their respective stars being able to shut down the other while continuing to contribute on the offensive end. Harvard and Cincinnati are just 11-8 when their stars make less than 35 percent of their shots, and a combined 42-2 otherwise.
Cincinnati Poses Tough Test For Crimson
Harvard will face Cincinnati in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday in Spokane, Wash.
Confident Crimson Ready For the Spotlight
Now, as it enters its opening game in the NCAA tournament Thursday afternoon against Cincinnati (27-6, 15-3 American Athletic Conference), Harvard has a chance to re-assume the exciting identity of the underdog—and relief has given way to a different feeling.
A Method to the Madness
The appeal of March Madness lies in its unpredictability. The odds of filling out a perfect bracket are worse than 1 in 100 billion, which you recognize to be true every year on the first Friday of the tournament when your surefire Final Four pick is upset by the No. 15 seed.
Thirty Games in, Harvard is Still Marching
After adding the returning All-Ivy senior talents and top-100 recruit freshman Zena Edosomwan, the murmurs were not of the Crimson winning the Ivy League, but of going undefeated.
Basketball Fares Well in Historical Comparison
The numbers not only indicate that this year’s Harvard squad was significantly better, but that last year’s Crimson team might have been one of the league’s worst champions in the last three decades.