However, a Jackson missed layup and the clutch Chambers jumper wiped away many of the ill consequences of Harvard’s trouble with the press, enabling it to sneak by Jackson, who is 21st in the nation in blocks per game, and the entire feisty Bearcat squad.

“Their press was really good,” Casey said. “They put the pressure on. They hounded us for a lot of the game, and we had some difficulties handling it for a while, and then we figured it out. I wouldn’t say we’ve played against someone with that intensity for so long, but I think we were prepared for it.”

MONTE-VERTIGO

While Harvard hadn’t played Cincinnati in almost 40 years—the last time the two squads faced off was in the 1975-1976 season, when Harvard won, 77-76—certain players recognized familiar faces on the opposing bench.

Moundou-Missi and Jackson went to Montverde Academy together, and heading into Thursday’s matchup, both players remembered the days when they put on the same color uniform.

The fact that the two former-teammates would be matched up against one another was the first comment that Moundou-Missi made at the Crimson press conference on Selection Sunday. Four days later, the first question that Jackson received was about the Crimson junior, who Jackson called “cool,” “smart,” and “quiet.”

On Thursday afternoon, however, Moundou-Missi’s play was loud enough.

The junior was given the assignment of guarding Jackson, Cincinnati’s second-leading scorer. While Jackson connected at a 54.2 percent clip throughout the regular season, he was held to only five-of-15 shooting from the field in Thursday’s matchup.