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LOCATION: Cambridge, MA
CONFERENCE: Ivy League
LAST SEASON: 13-13 (.500)
CONFERENCE RECORD: 7-7 (t-4th)
STARTERS LOST/RETURNING: 3/2
NICKNAME: Crimson
COLORS: Crimson, Black & White
HOMECOURT: Lavietes Pavilion (2,195)
COACH: Frank Sullivan (Westfield State '73)
record at school 85-123 (8 years)
career record 199-209 (15 years)
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ASSISTANTS: Bill Holden (Bentley '90)
Kyle Snowden (Harvard '97)
TEAM WINS: (last 5 years) 6-15-17-13-13
RPI (last 5 years) 288-184-130-207-237
1998-99 FINISH: No conference tournament.
ESPN.com Clubhouse
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It would be hard to call a .500 season at Harvard a disappointment. After all, the Crimson hasn't mustered much success on the court this decade. And last year's 13-13 record didn't sit well with many Harvard observers, many of whom expected great things from the Class of 1999, which had the most successful four-year stretch of any in Crimson history. Instead the Crimson limped to the finish line, barely able to register a fourth-place Ivy finish. Five seniors are gone from the team, including three double-figure scorers (Tim Hill, 16.0 ppg, 172 assists; Paul Fisher, 10.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg; and Mike Beam, 11.8 ppg), the entire starting backcourt and both centers (Fisher and Bill Ewing, 5.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg). Not promising for Frank Sullivan's crew, as seven players will wear Harvard uniforms for the first time in 1999-2000 The Crimson will hinge its success on 6-7 junior forward Dan Clemente (14.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg). Clemente, hobbled with an ankle injury for most of last season, is a deadly three-point shooter who made 58 from beyond the arc in 1998-99. Clemente was Ivy Rookie of the Year in 1997-98 and was chosen honorable mention all-league last season. Unfortunately, his 4.5 rebounding average also leads the returning players. Clemente's injury forced him to have surgery in March, but he returned in July and should be ready for this season. The only other returning starter is 6-2 sophomore guard Andrew Gellert (4.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 50 assists), who started just the final six games last season. A defensive presence, he had 33 steals, second on the team. In the beginning of the year, look for Gellert to be playing much of his time at the point guard spot, although he can play either guard position along with small forward.
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Blue Ribbon Analysis |
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BACKCOURT D+ BENCH/DEPTH D+
FRONTCOURT C INTANGIBLES D+
This is going to be a very difficult year for the Crimson and its fans. Harvard will experience great growing pains as its newcomers try and fit into roles. Unfortunately, that will mean a low second-division finish for the Crimson, which will have to fight to stay out of the league cellar just a year after finishing fourth. That is what happens when the most successful class in the last three decades graduates with little in reserve. On the plus side for Harvard, coach Frank Sullivan is one of the best coaches in the Ivy League. If anyone can mold these young players into quality athletes, it's Sullivan. However, to expect anything to happen this year is just too much to ask. On the bright side, at least Dan Clemente has another year of eligibility left. |
At the other guard position will be 6-2 senior captain Damian Long (4.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 31 assists). Long is one of just two seniors on the squad and will be looked upon to provide some guidance to this very young team. The other senior is 6-8 forward/center Ethan Altaratz (1.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg), who appeared in just six games last season. The two other returnees are 6-8 forward/center Tim Coleman (2.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and 6-3 guard/forward Alex Lowder (0.5 ppg, 0.3 rpg). Only Coleman provides any real experience for Sullivan, and that might make him the favorite for a starting role. Of the seven newcomers, three players will be thrust right into the rotation. Six-foot-five junior guard/forward Bryan Parker (Cuesta (Calif.) College & Seattle, Wash.) is a wing player who adds size and experience to the roster. Six-foot-three freshman Elliott Prasse-Freeman (Mercer Island HS/Mercer Island, Wash.) will see time at the point-guard spot while 6-4 freshman Brady Merchant (Lebanon HS/Lebanon, Ohio) will bring some shooting to the squad. The rest of the newcomers will be up front. Six-foot-eight freshman Onnie Mayshak (St. Benedict's HS/Cambridge, Ontario), 6-7 freshman Don VanValkenburgh (Hunter-Tannersville HS/Tannersville, N.J.) and 6-6 freshman Sam Winter (Wasburn HS/ Topeka, Kan.) will all vie for time at forward. Six-foot-10 freshman center Brian Sigafoos (Winchendon School/Basking Ridge, N.J.) will help out in the middle.
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