By hitting the boards harder, Harvard also ignited the fast break, which the Crimson—with its small, three-guard set—figures to rely on much of this season.

“We’re going to run a lot,” Prasse-Freeman said. “Our big guys run really well.”

In the opening half, Harvard defense was virtually invisible, as X-Men shooting guard Jordan Croucher penetrated through the lane at will for 17 first-half points. St. Francis also shot 5-of-6 from the three-point line to take a 48-37 halftime lead.

“We came out sluggish,” Harvey said. “The biggest difference in the second half was our intenisty. Coach got on us at halftime.”

Prasse-Freeman, projected by some media outlets as an All-Ivy First Team selection, finished with 10 assists and just two turnovers Saturday.

Three freshmen also saw action in Saturday’s scrimmage. Guard Jason Norman played 14 minutes and contributed six points.

Guard Kevin Rogus and forward Graham Beatty were also worked into the lineup by Harvard Coach Frank Sullivan.

Beatty didn’t score a point but frustrated St. Francis’ low-post players on the defensive end. He blocked two shots in just seven minutes.

“Graham is coming along real well. He can grab defensive rebounds for us,” Prasse-Freeman said. “[Junior] Sammy [Winter] is a force inside as well.”

Junior guard Brady Merchant sat out the game with a strained medial collateral ligament. Freshman David Giovacchini also was also sidelined due to a broken right leg. He is expected to at least miss the Crimson’s first few games.

Harvard was pegged to finish sixth in the Ivy preseason media poll. Princeton was picked to repeat as champions, while Brown—who returns its entire starting lineup from last season—was selected to finish second.

“After Princeton and Penn, I think the league’s pretty much wide open,” Harvey said. “We can play with anyone.”