TURNING OFFENSE INTO DEFENSE

In its eight games this season, Harvard has allowed only one opponent to score more than 65 points, holding six opponents to below 40 percent shooting. Led by seniors Kenyatta Smith and co-captain Steve Moundou-Missi, the Crimson ranks 13th in the nation in blocks per game and 22nd in fewest points allowed.   

Against Boston University on Monday night, Harvard proved once again why it has one of the most feared defenses in the country. Only two Terriers were able to reach double digits as Harvard suffocated BU in the second half. 

“Defensively, we were able to get some stops,” Amaker said. “That allowed us to get the ball down and beat the zone…which led to better offensive production.”

The Crimson forced eight turnovers, allowed only nine second chance points, and held the Terriers to just 38.5 percent shooting from deep. Freshman Andre Chatfield came off the bench to tally two steals and both Smith and Moundou-Missi had two blocks. 

“One of the keys was that we were able to stay disciplined on defense,” Amaker said. “We came up with long rebounds and defensive boards and it allowed us to transition.” 

Harvard’s 7.5 steals per game and 6.4 blocks per game are the results of a team-wide effort. Although Moundou-Missi and Smith are oft credited with the team’s strong presence inside, Saunders remains an integral part of the squad’s perimeter defense.

Night in and night out, Amaker calls on Saunders to guard the opponent’s best scorer. A tall task for the same man asked to carry the scoring load on the other end.

But Saunders has risen to the challenge thus far. The reigning Ivy League Player of the Year has recorded a steal in every contest this year, including a career-high seven against Vermont. In addition, Saunders by no means scores his points through cherry picking, as he averages nearly six defensive rebounds per game. 

On Monday, Saunders was called upon to lock down sophomore Cedric Hankerson, the Terriers’ leading scorer. Hankerson came in averaging 17.8 points per game, but Saunders smothered him, allowing him only three. 

“Saunders’ defense on Hankerson was tremendous for us,” Amaker said. “He is a terrific player and arguably their best player. [Saunders] was able to lock in for us there and do a tremendous job as he has always done, which was a big key.”

 —Staff writer Andrew Farber can be reached at andrew.farber@thecrimson.com.