“Our backs are against the wall a little bit,” senior point guard David Giovacchini said. “A loss for either team would take a lot of steam out of the engine...that’s why it should be a good game.”

FEAST OR FAMINE

It has been a season of extremes for Harvard’s senior shooting guard, Kevin Rogus. The team’s deadliest option from the perimeter has been the focus of most opposing defenses this season, and has found open looks from behind the arc to be especially scarce. When able to get free, however, his accuracy has often been the difference for Harvard.

“We just have to move the ball and get some open looks for him,” Norman said, “because when he plays well the team plays well.”

Harvard’s reliance on the long-range dimension that Rogus adds was on display this past weekend against Penn and Princeton. The fast, strong guards of the Quakers kept on his heels all game, holding him to three points in Harvard’s loss, while he scored a team-high 17 in the Crimson’s successful effort to combat Princeton’s matchup zone.

“We’re working on setting better screens, and working to get the guards open,” Cusworth said.

Brown and Yale may be the combination that allows Rogus to build on his solid effort against Princeton. The shooting guard racked up 28 points in last season’s game at Brown, and averaged 16 in the two contests versus Yale.

—Staff writer Caleb W. Peiffer can be reached at cpeiffer@fas.harvard.edu.