Such impressive numbers are troubling for the Crimson considering its problems handling talented guards so far this season. Maine’s Kevin Reed, who averages 18.8 points per game, knocked down 36 points against Harvard. New Hampshire’s Ronnie Dennis had similar success, scoring 26 points against the Crimson although he averages just 14.8 points per game.

Part of the reason Harvard has had so much trouble containing these guards has been the style of defense it has had to play. Even though the Crimson’s 2-2-1 zone has been effective—particularly in the second half of the Holy Cross game—Harvard had few opportunities to use it against UNH and Maine, since it went down by so much early in the game and had to use a more aggressive man-to-man defense. While more advantageous in creating turnovers and pressure situations, this style of play has allowed opposing guards to quickly open up scoring chances before any of the other Crimson defenders could move in to help.

Still, Beal feels that there is a simpler answer to work out Harvard’s defensive kinks.

“It just has to get to that point, especially for the guards, where we say, ‘Enough is enough, and we are not going to let people score,’” Beal said. “There’s no gimmicks that we haven’t tried and there’s nothing new that we’re going to put in in terms of our defense.”

But if Harvard is unable to turn the corner against the Mountain Hawks, it will mark only the second time that the Crimson has dropped the first five games of the year since the 1975-76 season.

—Staff writer Evan R. Johnson can be reached at erjohns@fas.harvard.edu.