Both Cornell and Columbia usually reside in the middle to the bottom of the Ivy standings, and Harvard has historically had tremendous success against both. The Crimson owns lifetime marks of 33-6 versus the Big Red and 27-0 against the Lions, including sweeps of both last season. Harvard has not lost to Cornell since 1996 and has never lost to the Big Red at home.

Northeastern is the only opponent Harvard has in common with either Cornell or Columbia this year. All three teams lost to the Huskies--the Crimson by a 69-64 margin, the Big Red by a count of 71-54 and the Lions by a final tally of 70-66.

"Anybody can beat anybody in the Ivy League," Miller said. "There is so much rivalry. But I think we can dominate [Cornell and Columbia] inside. Most of their offense comes from their guards, and if our guards can contain their guards and we can get the ball to our forwards, that will be the key to victory."

If Harvard's frontcourt will be key, the task of establishing a firm presence in the paint will fall on Janowski, Russell, Sturdy and freshman Lindsay Ryba. Ryba is coming off a week in which she was named Rookie of the Week for her career-best 20-point performance against Northeastern.

The task of getting the ball to the forwards falls on Harvard's bevy of guards. Freshman Jen Monti will get the nod at point guard for the third and fourth times this season as sophomore Lisa Kowal remains sidelined with continued breathing difficulty.

Junior Courtney Egelhoff and her 6.5 points-per-game average join Miller and Monti in the backcourt. Senior Kelly Kinneen and freshman Katie Gates will be looked to for substantial minutes off the bench. Gates is Harvard's leading rookie scorer, averaging 6.8 points per game.

Harvard has labored through a difficult and trying non-conference season, but it now has a chance for redemption. The Crimson's pursuit of a fourth consecutive Ivy championship did not start in November; it begins tonight. And the only way Harvard knows how to ring in the Ivy season is with two victories.

"It couldn't be more important," Miller said of the weekend. "We have the tools we need physically; our main issue has been psychological. We must win, however we do it. Getting two 'W's is the most important part."