But last year, Wright–who leads the team with 14.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game–missed the first contest and was limited to 20 minutes in the second with injury. Having its best low-post threat back against the Tigers’ big men could be the difference this time around.
“[Keith’s] the centerpiece of our offense,” McNally said. “He’s [also] a rock-solid force defensively, and he rebounds the ball well, so I think [having him healthy this year] is going to be huge.”
It is clear that the two squads have been the best the Ivy has to offer this season, with Harvard 50th and Princeton 67th in national RPI as of Wednesday. The Crimson and the Tigers are 1-2 in the conference in scoring defense and scoring margin, respectively, while Princeton is first and Harvard second in field-goal and three-point percentage.
“We need to get a tempo we’re comfortable with,” Amaker said. “It’s been lower scoring games [versus Princeton in the past]. I think it’s important that the tempo moves a little faster...which is easier said than done with way they play.”
Tomorrow evening, the Crimson travels to Philadelphia, where it will take on the Quakers in the historic Palestra. Penn played an extremely tough nonconference schedule and is also undefeated in conference play this season, but it has blemishes against 4-18 Manhattan and 4-19 Marist on its resume.
The Quakers are led by guard Zack Rosen, who finished first in the conference in scoring last season with 17.7 points per game, but is down to 15.5 this year in a more balanced offense.
“It’s got to always start with Rosen, how crafty he is with ball-screens” Amaker said. “I think that’s going to be a concern of ours, defending him off the bounce.”
Wright will have a tough matchup once again on Saturday with Penn forward Jack Eggleston, who averages 13.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, tied with Wright for second in the conference.
On the wings, the Quakers feature freshman Miles Cartwright–who at 11.6 points per contest is Rivard’s main competition for Ivy Rookie of the Year–and the talented but oft-injured senior Tyler Bernadini, who is averaging 11.7 points.
Harvard swept Penn last season, but with the addition of Cartwright and a healthy Bernadini, the Quakers will be a tough matchup for the second game of a road-road doubleheader for the Crimson.
If Harvard is able to emerge as the last undefeated team standing, it will control its own destiny for its first tournament berth since 1946, with the toughest part of its schedule behind it.
“Those two programs are synonymous with Ivy league basketball,” Amaker said. “I think now with Princeton being the favorite in our league this year, for us to have a chance to go on the road, play them first, Penn the next night, I know our kids will be ready to play.”
—Staff writer Scott A. Sherman can be reached at ssherman13@college.harvard.edu.