Stress is an all-too-familiar phenomenon around Cambridge, Mass., this time of year. Stray more than 10 steps into the Science Center, and you’re bound to hear someone wailing about a midterm, a paper, or an extra five minutes of section. Wah, wah, wah.

In last week’s Around the Ivies, I offered a salute to the Ivy fans that come out to support their teams and hurl abuse at their more athletic peers. This week, I’d like to give it up for the players, struggling through the end of a physically and emotionally taxing basketball season while still hurdling the same general academic obstacles that the rest of us face.

I came to the realization the other day that, given my current lifestyle, there’s almost no chance I sustain a serious injury. I walk everywhere—no risk of car or bike crash—and loaf my way through games of pickup hoops at the MAC. The biggest danger I face on a regular basis is that I tilt back too audaciously in my desk chair and concuss myself on my laundry basket.

If I played Division I basketball, I would have to deal with the inevitable wear and tear on my body, in addition to the palpable risk of landing on my ankle and mangling a ligament into spaghetti. And God forbid something serious should happen. I’d probably drop out if I broke my arm. How am I supposed to stabilize and butter my Brain Break bagel with one good wing? It’s too much to contemplate.

So here’s to the ones who face down that danger every week and still take their midterms, even when they have to hobble to get there. Let’s finish out the year in prime bagel-buttering shape.

COLUMBIA at HARVARD

The last time these two teams met, in the aftermath of Nemo, Columbia stunned the Crimson by a comfortable 15 points in New York, largely due to the hot-shooting hand of junior guard Steve Frankoski, who finished with 27 points and hit five of his seven three-point attempts. But Harvard will be fully aware that it can’t afford another loss and vigilant in its three-point defense. I’m anticipating an easy victory and a bounce-back performance from Crimson point guard Siyani Chambers.

Pick: Harvard

PRINCETON at YALE

On Feb. 9, the Bulldogs outlasted Princeton, 69-65, at Jadwin Gymnasium in what was perhaps the most impressive road win of the Ivy season. Now the Tigers travel to New Haven, where Yale has played much better basketball—the Bulldogs shoot 50.8 percent from the field at home, compared to 37.8 percent on the road, and score 16.1 more points per game. This game represents the beginning of Princeton’s three-game road gauntlet to claim the Ivy title, and it might end up being the toughest test of the bunch.

Pick: Yale

CORNELL at DARTMOUTH

If a basketball game is played in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

Pick: Dartmouth

PENN at BROWN