1996

Sports Statistics

Record: 17-9, 10-4 Ivy

Ivy Finish: Second

Coach: Frank Sullivan

Key Players: Seniors Kyle Snowden and Chris Grancio; Sophomore Tim Hill

1997

With a fadeaway in the final seconds of regulation, sophomore Tim Hill had given the Harvard men's basketball team a chance for redemption against Penn.

"Thank God he made that shot," said captain David Demian.

Now, as senior Chris Grancio squared off against the Quakers' Geoff Owens for the opening tip in overtime, the Crimson was ready to cement the 1996-97 season as another solid step forward.

The Quakers were just 10-12 entering the game, but they could still hurt a team. Penn had certainly hurt Harvard in their previous meeting on Feb. 7, when the Quakers trimmed the Crimson, 85-68.

"They always seemed to have something over us," Demian said.

Penn also had history on its side: Three consecutive Ivy League championships from 1992-95. In that period, the Quakers had torn up the league at a 42-0 clip. Harvard had not defeated the Quakers since Feb. 1, 1991, when the Crimson prevailed, 77-70.

When Grancio tipped the ball to Hill, however, Harvard prepared to make its own mark. Penn's Jed Ryan subsequently fouled senior Kyle Snowden, who gave Harvard the lead on a free throw. The Crimson never relinquished that lead and ultimately won, 76-67.

The season began in similarly spectacular fashion, as the Crimson matched its 1995-96 campaign by winning its first four games.