M. Cagers Suffering From Dejection, Not Frustration

A lot of things haven't gone right for the Harvard men's basketball team this year.

Carrying the burden of an 0-4 record is a tough job even with the knowledge that the Crimson has played its four toughest non-conference foes.

Before the season started, Harvard Coach Frank Sullivan noted that winning takes care of a lot of things.

But he hasn't won. This is not a bad reflection on anybody in particular. With a new coach and a freshman point guard, this team has plenty of legitimate reasons to excuse its play.

The strain is beginning to show just a bit. After Holy Cross's 100-75 walkover, Sullivan looked dejected while fielding questions about his team's performance.

"With all due respect to our players, we have played four very tough teams," Sullivan said. "But we do have to clean up our game a bit."

It's dejection, not frustration. Harvard really needs a chance to bust out and prove to themselves that they are as good as they know they can be.

However, opponents like Lehigh, Holy Cross and Duke are just not the teams to open a season against.

Sullivan is already throwing out the "wait 'til next year" line concerning future early season foes.

"The schedule gets better next year," Sullivan said. "It will be a kinder, gentler opening."

Amidst the disarray, there have been several bright points for the Crimson.

One is the play of junior forward Tyler Rullman.

The second is the emergence of freshman Jared Leake as a viable point guard for the team.

The third has been the play of freshman guard James White.

Be honest. If somebody told you that a substitute freshman guard would be fourth on the team in scoring after four games, you would have laughed.

But take a look at the Crimson's scoring leaders, and there you will find Leake behind starters Rullman, forward Ron Mitchell, and guard Matt McClain.

White is averaging 9.5 points-per-game, shooting 54 percent from the field and 33 percent from three-point territory.

White, who makes up for his height (6'2") with his quickness, has been impressive driving into the lane, routinely taking on centers six inches taller.

His three-point shot has yet to develop a needed consistency, but he is the only guard on the team who has shown no fear of sticking it to the opposing big men.

The pleasant surprise of James White combined with the rapidly improving play of Leake should give the Crimson a solid three-guard rotation this year.

Home Sweet Home

The Crimson plays its first home game this weekend against Boston College.

Briggs Cage has not been kind to The Crimson recently. Last year, Harvard went 4-9 at home, and an abysmal 2-5 against Ivy League opponents