A year can make all the difference. For the Dartmouth men's basketball team, the past 12 months have been the difference between winning and losing.
At this point a year ago, the Big Green (6-7, 1-0 Ivy) was in the middle of a deflating stretch in which it only won one game in 16 contests. This year, the team started much the same, with blowout losses at the University of Massachusetts, George Washington and Kansas. With zero wins and six losses, the Big Green was facing the potential of another disappointing season.
That, however, was when Dartmouth turned around its season. Since the return of Leon Pattman '07 in mid-December, the Big Green men have lost but once and are undefeated at home, with convincing wins over Stony Brook, Quinnipiac and Army. Dartmouth has also proved its fortitude on the road, beating James Madison and Maryland Eastern Shore.
The big date on the calendar came Saturday, Jan. 6 against Harvard at Thompson Arena. The home game was the Ivy League opener for Dartmouth and renewed a rivalry that has not fallen in the Big Green's favor of late.
After dropping both games to Harvard (7-8, 0-1 Ivy) last year, no one needed to tell the Big Green the importance of the game. Dartmouth showed grit and toughness coming back from a 12-point halftime deficit to force overtime and eventually win, 80-73.
The win was huge for the Big Green not only because it came against an Ivy League foe, but also because with the win, Dartmouth matched its entire 2005-2006 win total with fourteen games still to play.
As is the custom, Dartmouth and Harvard will again meet on the hardwood Friday, Jan. 12 at the Lavietes Pavilion in Cambridge.
The Crimson is lead by seven-foot senior center Brian Cusworth and senior guard Jim Goffredo. The pair rank second and third, respectively, in the Ivy League in scoring. Cusworth is also the Ivy League's leading rebounder, averaging 8.7 boards per game. In the game last week, Cusworth hurt the Big Green, scoring 25 points and grabbing 15 rebounds.
Dartmouth's focus will be on the defensive side of the ball, and particularly slowing down Cusworth.
"We have to limit the number for free throws they shoot," captain Jason Meyer '06 said. "Cusworth made the majority of his points from the line, and that really hurt us."
Harvard was 26 for 32 from the free-throw line, while Dartmouth converted on 11 of 15 chances from the line.
It is also clear that Harvard will make some defensive changes, especially considering what the Big Green did to the Crimson in the second half of their first game, when Pattman shot seven for 10 from the floor for 20 points. Alex Barnett '09 chipped in with a double-double, notching 19 points and 10 rebounds.
"We need to shoot better than we did in the first half. If we can maintain the intensity that we showed in the second half and overtime, we should have success," Meyer said.
When asked about playing the same team twice in less than a week, Meyer expressed disappointment.
"We've played Harvard back-to-back every year since I've been here, but I'd like to see the games spread out a little bit more," he said. "It's a great rivalry, and would be a good way to see who is playing better as the season goes on. That being said, it's going to be an interesting match up and a great game."
"As far as goals for the season, we want to win the Ivy League championship," Meyer said. "Right now, our offense is clicking and we've figured out a good rotation. It's definitely not out of the question to compete for the top spot. We're totally focused on beating Harvard again right now."
With a win streak on the line and momentum on its side, Dartmouth men's basketball hopes to pick up another Ivy League victory this Friday in this pivotal clash with Harvard. The game will be televised on YES Network and will be available on DirecTV nationally. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
