The Harvard Crimson cracked the AP Top 25 for the first time in school history three weeks ago, dropped out last week, but find themselves back in the rankings this week. The 10-1 Crimson checked in at No. 24 in the latest AP Poll (and No. 23 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll). Both rankings are the highest rankings in program history.
You may remember the Crimson basketball team as one that has defeated BC in three consecutive meetings. You may also remember that one of those victories -- Harvard's 82-70 victory over BC on January 7, 2009 -- was the Crimson's first victory over a ranked opponent in program history.
Harvard Monday to Friday, indeed!
Tomorrow's game will mark the first time the Crimson have been ranked nationally in the series against BC. Time for payback?
Well, probably not.
Harvard is led by a pair of forwards in Kyle Casey and Keith Wright. Casey is averaging 11.5 and 5.5 rebounds per game, while Wright averages 10.9 and 7.2. Wright is coming off his second double-double of the season, scoring 12 points and grabbing 11 boards in a 63-51 win over Florida Atlantic.
Harvard already has early-season victories over then-No. 20 Florida State in the Battle 4 Atlantic, UCF and Utah. Of the Eagles two shared opponents so far this season -- Holy Cross and Boston U. -- Harvard is 2-0 while BC is 0-2.
The Crimson are also riding a 13-game winning streak against schools from the Commonwealth, including four straight Ws over Holy Cross and three against both BC and BU. Harvard is 3-0 against schools from Mass this season, having knocked off Division III MIT, Holy Cross and Boston University.
Still, I think that if the Eagles can ride the momentum of the season's first winning streak and multiple BC players -- not just one -- can put together solid games, I think BC can be competitive with Harvard. This is the type of game where, with the roles reversed, I think BC has a shot at the upset victory. It might be asking too much of this young Eagles team to knock off a Top 25-ranked and 10-1 Crimson squad, but there's always a chance, right?