Harvard Hoops Faces Biggest Challenge at No. 4 UConn

The Harvard men’s basketball team will have its hands full this Wednesday night when it travels to Hartford, Conn. to take on No. 4 UConn.

The Huskies—who entered Sunday night with an 8-0 record—are one of just nine undefeated teams in the country and boast arguably the top player in the nation in junior Kemba Walker.

Walker—a 6’1” point guard with blazing quickness—currently leads the nation in scoring, averaging 28.1 points per game.

But even with a talented opponent looming, the Crimson (7-2) has been preparing for this Wednesday’s contest just like any other.

“We’re preparing like we do for every other team,” sophomore Kyle Casey said.

“We’re doing what we do,” added sophomore point guard Brandyn Curry. “We’ve had some really good, competitive practices—fine tuning stuff we need to work on.”

Curry—Harvard’s top perimeter defender—will be saddled with the task of trying to stop Walker, who leads the Huskies in scoring, assists, and steals.

“[UConn] feeds off his energy and his vibe,” Curry said. “I know it’s going to be a tough matchup. I’m just going to try and put as much pressure on him as possible.”

Slowing down the Huskies’ fast-paced and high-powered offense—the squad averages 79.9 points per game—will be crucial to the Crimson’s success.

“They really get out and go,” Casey said. “We’ve got to defend and slow them down in transition.”

The Crimson—which is currently riding a two-game winning streak—has had some success against ranked opponents in recent years. Harvard defeated then-No. 24 Boston College during the 2008-09 season before dropping contests to then-No. 13 UConn and then-No. 13 Georgetown a year ago.

Last season, Harvard played the Huskies close, losing 79-73, thanks to a career performance from Jeremy Lin ’10, who finished the contest with a season-high 30 points.