Coach Tommy Amaker and his Harvard men’s basketball team began the second half of their breakout season with a 15-2 record and the University’s first national ranking in the sport. The passionate group of young men, led by captains Keith Wright ’12 and Oliver McNally ’12, has been playing in front of boisterous, sell-out crowds in Lavietes Pavilion. The team’s sweet dreams for the rest of the season would include winning an Ivy League crown and gaining an NCAA playoff berth.
Nationally ranked for the first time in college history, the Harvard men’s basketball team lined up on the foul line for the pre-game playing of the National Anthem. The Crimson continued their winning streak, beating Dartmouth, 63-47, on Jan. 7, extending their storybook season. Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer Harvard’s Laurent Rivard looks around for help as he dribbles on his knees after grabbing a loose ball — and eluding the whistle. Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer Brandyn Curry’s three-point play helped Harvard take the lead in the second half. Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer Throngs of Harvard students attended the game, which was close until the Crimson came alive in the second half, outscoring the Big Green. Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer Harvard’s Brandyn Curry (left) fights for a loose ball. Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer During halftime, Harvard students like Alaina Murphy (center) shot from the foul line in hopes of winning a free pizza. She missed. Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer Another fan, Nicole Sliva, sunk the basketball and won the pizza. Celebrating behind her is Magda Robak. Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer Harvard’s Christian Webster (left) and Keith Wright squeeze out a Dartmouth player as all three vie for the rebound.
Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer Crimson Head Coach Tommy Amaker led his team into the polls as a top 25 nationally ranked team for the first time in school history earlier this season. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer Brandyn Curry helped the Crimson offensively and defensively as they shut down Dartmouth. Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer Harvard President Drew Faust was at the game, which was Harvard’s second sellout of the season. She and husband Charles Rosenberg (far left) sat in new courtside seats that were added along with a new press box, both built to accommodate the growing interest in the program. Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer Wesley Saunders (left) and Matt Brown greeted young fans after the game in Lavietes Pavilion. Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer After the game, players convened to autograph photos for fans. Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer A Harvard player gives a low-five to a young fan waiting in line to have a team photograph signed. Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer In a Jan. 24 round against George Washington University, Harvard men won, 69-48, as they continued their charge toward the Ivy league title and an NCAA berth. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer Kenyatta Smith (left) and Jonah Travis (center) attack a loose ball under the net. Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer Harvard’s Steve Moundou-Missi dunks one, and hangs on. Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer The Harvard bench, including coach Tommy Amaker (left), get enthused after Moundou-Missi’s dunk. Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer Harvard’s Laurent Rivard falls into the bench… Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer But he gets by with a little help from his teammates. Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer Rivard even gets high-fived after drawing the foul Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer Hot and bothered: The Harvard bench contests the ref’s call. Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer Young fans enjoy the show. Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer Harvard College Dean Evelynn M. Hammonds (right) enjoyed a courtside seat. Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer Coach Tommy Amaker closely observes his nationally ranked team. Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer Whoop, there it is! The team gets pumped as the game heats up. Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer The score with three and a half minutes remaining says it all, as Harvard’s season continues to flourish. Rose Lincoln/ Harvard Staff Photographer
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