Tip Off: Harvard Basketball Seasons Begin Tonight

Senior point guard Elliott Prasse-Freeman came to Harvard with one objective in mind and this season is his last to chance to achieve it.

“The only goal I came here with was to make the tournament,” Prasse-Freeman said. “All the other external stuff aside, if we don’t make it, I would have to feel like [my career] has been kind of a disappointment.”

Prasse-Freeman is just one of five seniors on this year’s squad, all of whom have high hopes for Harvard’s success this year.

But with the dream of the Big Dance still far away, the Crimson must focus its energy on its first opponent of the year—Fairfield.

The Stags (2-0) have already scored over ninety points in each of their first two games and return two of their four top scorers—forwards Nick Delfico and Deng Gai.

To succeed, Harvard must quickly fill the big shoes of Tim Coleman ’02, the team leader in blocks and rebounds, and Drew Gellert ’02, a tenacious defender and the all-time single-season steals leader (63) in the Ivy League.

“Drew Gellert was an amazing leader and defender,” Prasse-Freeman said. “However, [senior guard] Patrick Harvey is someone who can create a whole lot more offense.”

Still, some Crimson players feel that Gellert’s intangibles will be harder to replace.

“It’s not just going to come from one player, but from the whole team, to bring back Drew’s defense, intensity and toughness,” captain Brady Merchant said.

The Crimson returns Harvey, its leading scorer last season with 18.1 points per game. Of course, opposing defenses know about his playmaking abilities, meaning he is likely to attract extra attention throughout the season.

“I don’t think he will be shut down, but I do think teams will try to shut him down,” Prasse-Freeman said. “For instance, against BU last year, they played him diamond-in-one, and he wasn’t able to get any shots.”

Prasse-Freeman, last year’s assist leader (5.3 apg), will be relied upon more heavily to distribute the offensive opportunities. Merchant, his back court mate, must also produce this season, but warns that the team must have a balanced attack.

“I think we’ll be in trouble if people try and work too hard—like if Pat tries to go out and score 25, 30 points,” Merchant said.

Indeed, Harvard’s offense will not revolve entirely around its guards. Senior big men Sam Winter (8.9 ppg last year) and Brian Sigafoos will also be called upon to find the basket.

Sigafoos is one of the biggest question marks for the Crimson. He had enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign when Coleman took a year off, leaving Sigafoos as one of Harvard’s few viable options in the post. But last season was a bit of a disappointment for the seven-footer, as Sigafoos was hampered by a broken foot and overshadowed by Coleman’s dominant return.

However, Sigafoos worked hard in the offseason and hopes the dedication will allow him to become a more significant factor in Harvard’s game plans.

“He has reasserted himself,” Merchant said. “It’s his senior year, and he wants to play.”

Nothing is set in stone yet, though. Sigafoos is still untested this year, so Harvard coach Frank Sullivan will likely rotate many players through tonight’s lineup.

“I suspect that early on in the season especially, we’re going to see a whole lot more guys subbing in, just to see which guys are able to step up in game time situations,” Prasse-Freeman said.

Freshman center Brian Cusworth is particularly likely to see significant playing time in tonight’s game, as are sophomore forward Graham Beatty and freshman forward Zach Martin.

“Cusworth is the first true shot blocker we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Prasse-Freeman said.

Harvard will need its deep lineup to contribute if Prasse-Freeman is to finish his career satisfied. To qualify for NCAAs, the Crimson will likely have to capture its first ever Ivy League crown, as no Ivy team has ever received an at-large bid.