Harvard trio a formidable backcourt

Although each member of Harvard's starting trio of guards -- Andrew Gellert, Elliot Prasse-Freeman and Patrick Harvey -- stands barely six-feet tall, the diminutive Crimson backcourt does not play small by any means.

Rather, each of Harvard's starting guards adds a new wrinkle to the Crimson, making the Harvard triumvirate a challenging group to matchup with.

Gellert is the perennial Ivy League steals leader. Prasse-Freeman is the two-time league leader in assists. And Harvey is a versatile defender and capable scorer.

"Harvard has some great guards that their offense runs around," Penn guard Jeff Schiffner said. "A little bit different styles, but they all put points up on the boards."

With the talented cadre causing nightly matchup nightmares for its opponents, Harvard has raced out to a 9-5 record, including two Ivy wins over Dartmouth last weekend.

"Harvard's got a lot of quick guards ... [that] can make shots," Penn coach Fran Dunphy said. "We're in for a battle."

Gellert, Harvard's senior captain and best defender, has taken to shattering Crimson defensive records in his final season in Boston.

In Harvard's most recent victory over the Big Green last Saturday, the three-year starter picked up his 214th career steal to surpass Mike Gielen as the Crimson's all-time steals leader.

Currently, Gellert ranks first in the Ancient Eight in steals for the third consecutive season, averaging 2.6 takeaways per game.

"Gellert's one of the best defenders -- if not the best -- in the Ivy League'" Dunphy said.

Joining Gellert in the backcourt for a third consecutive season is 2001 Honorable Mention All-Ivy League selection Prasse-Freeman.

The tallest member of the backcourt trio -- Prasse- Freeman is 6-foot-3 -- the junior point guard has emerged as the Ivies best ball distributor, leading the Ancient Eight in assists the past two seasons.

In addition, during the 1999-2000 campaign, Prasse-Freeman set the Harvard record for highest single-season assist average totaling 7.3 per contest.

Besides establishing himself as a formidable passer, Harvard's floor general has worked hard to develop his offensive talents. His improved three-point shooting -- Prasse-Freeman has nailed 23-of-61 (38 percent) of his three-point attempts this season -- has increased his scoring average to 8.4 ppg this season and adds another dimension to an already potent Harvard attack.

"Prasse-Freeman has gotten better as a three-point shooter," Dunphy said.

And then comes Harvey.

With last year's graduation of two-time first team All-Ivy selection Dan Clemente and his career 18.7 ppg, the Crimson came into the 2001-2002 season looking for Harvey -- a 2001 All-Ivy Honorable Mention selection and Harvard's leading returning scorer -- to play an increased role in the offense.

Leading the team with 17.8 ppg -- which ranks him third in the Ivy League -- Harvey has been more than equal to the task.

After a relatively quiet freshman season, Harvey sat out the 1999-2000 season before emerging as a complimentary offensive player to Clemente last season.

A three-point shooter by trade, Harvey drilled 56 threes last season for a blistering 41 percent from behind the arc.

This season, he has continued his long-range prowess, nailing 2.57 trifectas per game, ranking him second in the Ivies.

Besides being Harvard's new go-to-guy, Harvey is also a top-notch defender for the Crimson.

Part of the Crimson's backcourt of thieves, Harvey currently ranks second to Gellert in the Ancient Eight in steals per game for the second-consecutive season.

With the Crimson starting three guards ripping up the Ivies it serves as no wonder that the Quakers will have their hands full on Saturday night when they head to the ever-raucous Lavietes Pavilion.

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