The fact remains, however, that 16-seed Harvard is the underdog resting in the mighty Orange and Blue shadow of top-seed Illinois.

“We’ve played other good teams,” Fish pointed out, adding “and that’s why people play those matches, so that you don’t just say, ‘OK, they’re the No. 1 ranked team in the country, so we’re just going to take our hats off and get on our knees.’”

And last weekend’s impressive showing against Tulane should boost the Crimson’s confidence. The squad beat the Green Wave 4-2, pulling out a hotly-contested doubles point and running away with the singles matches.

The victory marked Harvard’s ninth in a row, and it featured accurately aggressive play from junior Martin Wetzel, who has won six of his last seven, and Chu, who’s won seven of his last eight.

“I’m confident,” declared Chu, “that if we come and play like we did against Tulane, it’s anybody’s match.

“We’re going to bring the fight. We know it’s going to be hot, we know that there’s going to be a lot of people watching—us being Harvard, and playing Illinois—so we’re just looking forward to the opportunity and the challenge at the same time.”

Should the Crimson win tomorrow’s match, the squad will have pulled one of the greatest upsets in recent Harvard history. Illinois’ defeat will have been two years and 62 matches in the making.

Outside Crimson circles, though, few are worried about the Illini. And that’s just fine with Harvard.

“I think it’s an honor,” Fish said of the chance to play Illinois in the Sweet 16, pointing to his team’s outstanding performance in the first two rounds.

“If we don’t have guys that sort of love that idea, then it’s not the team that I’m thinking I have,” he added.

“Illinois is going in as the defending champion,” Chu said, “and this is where their tournament really begins. We have nothing to lose, and we’re going to go after them at every position, and I’m confident that if we come and play like we did against Tulane, it’s anybody’s match.

“So we look forward to an intense battle, and that’s what it’s going to be. Whatever happens [will happen] in the end, and we’re just going to be in there fighting our hearts out the whole entire time.”

—Staff writer Rebecca A. Seesel can be reached at seesel@fas.harvard.edu.