Cusworth could also have considered using his extra year of eligibility as a graduate student at a Division II or Division III institution, but decided not to because of his ties to his teammates.

“I felt like I committed to the program early on, so I wanted to stick with my teammates.”

Cusworth also cited level of play as a reason for remaining at Harvard. Graduate students are prohibited by the NCAA from competing in Division I basketball.

Cusworth plans to spend the spring at home in St. Louis and said that the situation could prove to be a “blessing in disguise,” since it will allow him to start preparing for next season earlier than usual.

Having lost five senior starters from last year’s squad, the Crimson was expected to depend heavily on Cusworth—its leading returning scorer and rebounder—this season. But with the seven-footer out, Harvard has sputtered to a 2-13 record while battling a lack of frontcourt depth and at times struggling to contain its opponents’ big men.

Cusworth’s absence has forced 6’4 sophomore Zach Martin—a natural small forward—to spend most of his time at power forward and has increased Harvard’s reliance on junior Graham Beatty and sophomore Luke McCrone.

The Crimson has lost six games by six points or fewer, including a 101-95 overtime loss to Rider Dec. 22.

“You have to look at a guy like Brian and say, ‘He’s worth a couple of points there and he’s worth a couple rebounds there and he’s worth a couple blocked shots in any game that he plays,’ but I think it minimizes work that the guys have put in for us,” Harvard coach Frank Sullivan said.

Sophomore power forward Matt Stehle, especially, has enjoyed something of a breakout season in Cusworth’s absence. Stehle ranks 10th in the Ivy League in scoring (12.7 ppg), seventh in rebounding (5.6 rpg), third in field-goal percentage (.519), seventh in free-throw percentage (.783), second in blocks (1.60 bpg) and is tied for sixth in steals (1.47 spg).

According to the Crimson players, Cusworth’s decision should not be a major blow to the team, since they have been playing without him all season.

“It doesn’t change the mentality of the team at all,” Stehle said. “We’re going to continue to fight. Just because he’s not around doesn’t mean we’re going to give up.”

—Staff writer Alan G. Ginsberg can be reached at aginsber@fas.harvard.edu.