With Saturday's win against Brown, Harvard has gone all season without losing back-to-back games. That might not seem that impressive at first glance, but consider a couple of things.

First, the pace and content of the Crimson schedule is such that not posting back-to-back loses is something to be lauded. For instance, over the winter break, Harvard played the tough Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, a strong Mercer team, and the perennially competitive Navy Midshipmen. The Crimson, despite a draining loss at Georgia Tech, bounced back to beat Mercer two days later. And although Harvard went on to lose to Navy, the streak had been preserved with a gutsy double-digit win over a quality opponent.

The second thing to consider about the back-to-back streak is that it is not something that happens frequently around these parts. In fact, the last Harvard team to go this far into the season without back-to-back loses was the 1945-46 squad that ultimately made it into the NCAA Tournament. Coincidentally, that was also the last and only time a Crimson team has ever gone to the Big Dance (although, admittedly, it was a smaller soire way back when).

My point is that aside from coming only once every few generations, the resiliency and mental toughness exhibited by the 2000-01 Crimson should make everyone take note and give credit where credit is due.

Give credit to Frank Sullivan, who presciently told his team at the outset of the season that he expected them to go far into the season without back-to-back losses. His game-planning, strong practice regimen and ability to coach probably also have something to do with it also.

Give credit to Dan Clemente and the rest of the Crimson role players, who even had to play through a part of the exam period to extend the mythical streak.

And don't forget to give credit to Brady Merchant and Sam Winter for breaking the "dunk barrier" for all of those little kids who dream of growing up to play for the Crimson and one day establishing the Harvard chapter of the Phi Slamma Jamma fraternity.

You might be wondering what the streak means in this odd year of random goings-on. Will Harvard continue in the tradition of the 1945-46 team and finish without back-to-back losses? Will the Crimson upset Penn and Princeton and make it to the Big Dance like their old counterparts? Can Harvard, once in the tourney, ride the March Madness all the way to a National Championship?