Harvard: Oh So Close!
Since Tommy Amaker took over the Harvard men's basketball program four years ago, the Crimson have shown steady improvement from an 8-22 season in 2007-08 to last year's 23-7 campaign.
So where was the NCAA tournament bid?
Simple. There wasn't any. Because Harvard tied Princeton for the Ivy League title (smaller conferences like the Ivy are fortunate to get two teams into the big dance), a one-game playoff was needed to determine the team that went on to the tournament. Princeton got the glory when Doug Davis' jump shot with one second remaining killed Harvard's chances to advance to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1946.
That might be what fueled everyone to come back for another run at success.
Granted, Harvard doesn't get the same chances a lot of the big powerhouse schools do. Had this been Kentucky or Connecticut, who is to say Keith Wright and Oliver McNally may not have held press conferences in the next week to announce they were turning pro?
Harvard is still about scholarships and academics. As a result, that potent 1-2 combo of Wright and McNally are back for more. Wright, a 6-8 forward, and McNally, a 6-3 guard, are two of only three seniors on a young squad that showcases three freshmen and seven sophomores. Wright's potent combo of 14.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game will help guide the Crimson offense, which benefits from the return of all five of its leading scorers. Juniors Christian Webster and Kyle Casey and sophomore Laurent Rivard are all back.
Then there is Amaker. He has chosen to stay out of the glaring spotlight that schools like Duke, Seton Hall and Michigan were in over the years. Amaker had a chance to move on in the spring when the University of Miami came calling. Eventually, Amaker said no, telling media in a press release that "I am appreciative of and flattered by the interest shown in me by other fine universities, but I am proud and honored to represent Harvard." Jim Larranaga, who guided George Mason to the Final Four in 2006, went to Miami instead.
One gets a sense that Amaker really means what he says. He seems to value academics over athletics and doesn't like the trappings that come with the spotlight. Although he had relative success at Michigan, there was always the nagging feeling no one really appreciated his talents.
If Harvard takes one step further this year, Amaker's name will be all over the map.
It has been 65 years since Harvard went to an NCAA basketball tournament. Ohio State beat Harvard 46-38 in what was then an eight-team event.
Chances are Harvard won't be “oh, so close” again if the Crimson stay focused.
Read the in-depth preview for Harvard basketball
