NOTEBOOK: Free Throws, Defense Prove Crucial for Men's Basketball Against Terriers

The Harvard men’s basketball team (7-1) finished up a 6-0 start to the season at Lavietes Pavilion Monday night with a 70-56 victory over local rival Boston University (2-6). The Crimson led by just one point at the break but broke the game open with timely shooting late in the contest.

MILLER TIME

To say that the team has missed Laurent Rivard ’14 this year would be an understatement. With the graduation of Harvard’s all-time three-point leader last spring, finding a threat from beyond the arc was a priority for the Crimson coming into this season.

“[After] losing Rivard from our program, people have really looked at our program differently,” Harvard coach Tommy Amaker said.

While junior co-captain Siyani Chambers and senior Wesley Saunders both improved their shots over the summer, the return of sophomore sharpshooter Corbin Miller from his two-year mission trip seemed to be perfect timing.

As a freshman, Miller shot 45.6 percent from beyond the arc and began to make a name for himself as a marksman in the Ivy League. Nonetheless, Miller has largely struggled to find his rhythm thus far this season.

“He was telling me he barely [was able] to shoot when he was over in Mexico,” Saunders said. “It’s been crazy what he’s been able to do getting back into the game and his shot still looks pure.”

Coming into Monday night’s contest, Miller had hit four three pointers twice this season, but had begun to find his rhythm amongst a high volume of attempts. After shooting 40 percent from three in the Crimson’s 64-52 win over Vermont, Miller made three of his 13 treys against the Terriers. While the percentage was not desirable from the team’s best three-point shooter, Miller’s self-confidence and increased shot-taking has opened up the floor for Harvard.

“When Corbin hits shots, it really changes our team,” Saunders said. “It’s a big energy boost for us and everyone gets more into the game. Those threes that he hit are big momentum-changers.”

LIVING AT THE LINE

Free throws, free throws, free throws. Every player has heard his or her coach repeat the mantra hundreds of times in practice. No matter what the level of play is, cashing in at the charity stripe is a consistent determinant in the game’s outcome.

On Monday night, Harvard did just that. The Crimson went 23-of-25 from the line, while the Terriers made just 11-of-20 attempts.

“Our ability to make free throws…was tremendous,” Amaker said. “Especially given how poorly we shot the ball.”

In Harvard’s worst games this season, free throws have doomed the squad. The Crimson shot 76.9 percent from the line against Holy Cross in a one-point loss and repeatedly shot itself in the foot versus UMass (57.1 percent) in a two-point win.

For Harvard, whose backcourt is made up of slashers like Saunders, Chambers, and junior wing Agunwa Okolie that love to drive to the basket and initiate contact, consistency from the charity line is demanded. On Monday night, Saunders, Chambers, and Okolie were a combined nine-for-nine from the line, with more than 30 percent of their points coming off of free throws.

TURNING OFFENSE INTO DEFENSE

In its eight games this season, Harvard has allowed only one opponent to score more than 65 points, holding six opponents to below 40 percent shooting. Led by seniors Kenyatta Smith and co-captain Steve Moundou-Missi, the Crimson ranks 13th in the nation in blocks per game and 22nd in fewest points allowed.

Against Boston University on Monday night, Harvard proved once again why it has one of the most feared defenses in the country. Only two Terriers were able to reach double digits as Harvard suffocated BU in the second half.

“Defensively, we were able to get some stops,” Amaker said. “That allowed us to get the ball down and beat the zone…which led to better offensive production.”

The Crimson forced eight turnovers, allowed only nine second chance points, and held the Terriers to just 38.5 percent shooting from deep. Freshman Andre Chatfield came off the bench to tally two steals and both Smith and Moundou-Missi had two blocks.

“One of the keys was that we were able to stay disciplined on defense,” Amaker said. “We came up with long rebounds and defensive boards and it allowed us to transition.”

Harvard’s 7.5 steals per game and 6.4 blocks per game are the results of a team-wide effort. Although Moundou-Missi and Smith are oft credited with the team’s strong presence inside, Saunders remains an integral part of the squad’s perimeter defense.

Night in and night out, Amaker calls on Saunders to guard the opponent’s best scorer. A tall task for the same man asked to carry the scoring load on the other end.

But Saunders has risen to the challenge thus far. The reigning Ivy League Player of the Year has recorded a steal in every contest this year, including a career-high seven against Vermont. In addition, Saunders by no means scores his points through cherry picking, as he averages nearly six defensive rebounds per game.

On Monday, Saunders was called upon to lock down sophomore Cedric Hankerson, the Terriers’ leading scorer. Hankerson came in averaging 17.8 points per game, but Saunders smothered him, allowing him only three.

“Saunders’ defense on Hankerson was tremendous for us,” Amaker said. “He is a terrific player and arguably their best player. [Saunders] was able to lock in for us there and do a tremendous job as he has always done, which was a big key.”

—Staff writer Andrew Farber can be reached at andrew.farber@thecrimson.com.