Why KU’s Jalen Wilson should thrive vs. Harvard: Jayhawks basketball opponent breakdown
The Kansas basketball team faces Ivy League opponent Harvard on Thursday at Allen Fieldhouse in a highly anticipated matchup for both coaches.
The Jayhawks won their first and only other meeting with the Crimson, prevailing 75-69 in 2015 at Allen Fieldhouse.
This time around, Harvard is coming off a 62-57 win over UC Irvine. The Crimson are a defense-oriented team with an athletic forward who could cause issues for the KU defense.
Here is a scouting report and prediction for the game:
Thursday’s game: Harvard at No. 4 Kansas
When/where: 6 p.m., Allen Fieldhouse
TV/streaming: ESPN
Opponent’s record: 8-4
KenPom (Ken Pomeroy) Ranking: 182
All statistics are from KenPom.com, Hoop-Math.com and EvanMiya. KenPom stats only include Division I competition.
Harvard Team Strengths
Defending the arc: Harvard makes it difficult for opponents from beyond the arc, ranking 25th in opposing three-point percentage (28).
Old-school style: Harvard thrives inside the arc on offense. The Crimson rank 17th in percentage of shots at the rim (46.2) and 32nd in two-point percentage (55.9).
Don’t commit fouls: Harvard does a great job of not fouling opposing players, ranking 50th in opposing free-throw rate (24%).
Harvard Team Weaknesses
- Weak opposition: Despite its 8-4 record, Harvard has had an easy schedule to this point. Its strength of schedule ranks 325th in the nation.
Offensively deficient: The Crimson struggle to score. Harvard ranks 227th in effective field-goal percentage (48.8) and 294th in points per game (67.8).
Struggles from three: Harvard ranks 324th in three-point percentage (24.1). So naturally, three pointers aren’t a huge part of the Crimson’s points distribution (21.5%, 349th nationally). Points distribution is the percentage of total points.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Senior 6-6 forward Chris Ledlum (No. 4):
+ Quick hands. He averages 1.9 steals per game
+ He has scored double-digit points in his last five games
+ Great rebounder, especially for his size (averages 7.8 per game)
- Not a good three-point shooter, shooting 27.7% from three-point range
- Struggles at the free-throw line (58.3%)
Tale of the Tape
Harvard does a great job of generating inside looks. In this instance, guard Luka Sakota drove to the left, drew two defenders and dumped off the ball to slashing forward Josh Hemmings. He then calmly went up through the contact, made the basket and received the foul for an and-one. The key for the Jayhawks will be to limit easy looks inside by not over-helping on defense and denying passes into the post.
GAME PREDICTION
Kansas comes in as a well-oiled machine. The Jayhawks have won four straight, including an 84-62 blowout of Indiana.
Thursday’s game shouldn’t be close, either. Even if Harvard makes KU struggle from beyond the arc, the Jayhawks have too much firepower and will adapt. Gradey Dick, Jalen Wilson, Kevin McCullar ... the Crimson don’t have the defensive capabilities to slow down all three.
On the flip side, KU’s defense should handle this one-dimensional Harvard offense that struggles from three-point range.
Pay special attention to how Kansas defends the Crimson’s Ledlum. He’s the only double-digit scorer on the Harvard roster, but he struggles from beyond the arc and at the line. So look for the Jayhawks to give him space to shoot and crowd the paint.
Give me Kansas for the win.
Kansas 87, Harvard 63
Shreyas’ season record: 3-0
KU Player to Watch: Jalen Wilson
Wilson looks to bounce back after a rough game offensively against Indiana. He scored 11 points on 4-for-18 shooting from the floor. The 6-8 forward is a three-level scorer, which should cause issues defensively for this undersized Harvard team. Look for Wilson to impose his scoring at will and get back on track offensively with a monster night.
