Cincinnati Bearcats v. Harvard Crimson Preview
By Matt Niehaus
Mar 19, 2014; Spokane, WA, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats guard Sean Kilpatrick (23) smiles during practice before the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The University of Cincinnati tips off their NCAA Tournament at 2:10pm Thursday afternoon against the Harvard Crimson out of the Ivy League. The #5 seeded Cincinnati enters the game with a 27-6 record, Harvard enters as a #12 seed with a 26-4 record and the favorites in the game.
Harvard has become the Ivy League powerhouse in the last four seasons. Winning the last four Ivy League titles in a row under head coach Tommy Amaker. Harvard has a team made up of guys that have been here and young guys making their first trip. Their offense can be potent which is the main reason everyone under the sun has picked Harvard to win.
Harvard’s offense can spread the floor, they are quick and they can score fast. Cincinnati’s offense is bipolar, either they score very high, or you’re in for a tough gritty game. The Bearcats defense though is what will give Harvard trouble. The Crimson have not played a physical defense like they will face Thursday against Cincinnati. Key to the game for Cincinnati is to frustrate Harvard early, make them take bad shots, rebound and get the ball to Sean Kilpatrick.
Harvard does a phenomenal job shooting, off the glass and in the paint though they struggle. From beyond the arc the Crimson shoot 39.8%, their overall field goal percentage is 47.5%. Where Harvard struggles though is rebounding. Averaging only 29.4 rebounds a game the Crimson will not fight the Bearcats in the paint.
Sean Kilpatrick matched up against Harvard’s Wesley Saunders is the most interesting matchup of the day. Other than both players wearing #23 they both do a lot of their damage from the free throw line. If Kilpatrick can disrupt Saunders the Bearcats will be in much better shape.
Cincinnati as the underdog should still win today, the Bearcats have faced offenses like Harvard’s this season and beat them. The overall size of the Bearcats should help them prevail over Harvard.
You can catch the game at 2:10 on TNT. You can also watch online here.