Harvard Grabs First NCAA Tournament Bid Since 1946

by David Cassilo / @dcassilo

A Princeton victory over Penn on Tuesday night gave Harvard its first NCAA tournament bid in 66 years. With no Ivy League tournament, the Crimson’s 12-2 conference record was one game better than the Quakers.

Harvard is now on its way to its second NCAA tournament ever. The last time the Crimson played in the tournament, it lost to New York University, which is now a Division III program.

Much of Harvard’s success is credited to head coach Tommy Amaker. The former head coach at Seton Hall and Michigan, Amaker has boosted the Crimson into a perennial Ivy League threat with better recruiting. His most notable recruit is current New York Knicks guard, Jeremy Lin.

While Amaker was proud of getting the bid, he doesn’t think that’s all his team wants to accomplish this season.

From The Boston Globe:

“We had a vision about this school when we came here that this could be a special opportunity,’’ said Amaker. “Harvard has so much greatness all over. We still have a long road ahead of us.’’

Harvard will now wait until Selection Sunday to learn who it will face in the NCAA tournament.