With a strong 8-0 start capped by an 80-70 home win over Seattle, the Harvard men's basketball team, reigning co-champions of the Ivy League, have recorded the best opening of a Crimson campaign since the 1984-85 season. The basketball world has begun to notice Harvard's power: the AP Top 25 poll ranked Harvard number 25, and the ESPN/USA Today poll gave the Crimson the number-24 slot for the week of December 5. This represents the first time in the history of the program that the Harvard men's team has achieved a national ranking. The Crimson's triumph at the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament also bolstered its reputation. In week five of the college season, Harvard remains one of only 15 undefeated teams in the country.
Freshman Jonah Travis had a breakout game against Seattle, dropping in 19 points on 6-for-8 shooting from the field to go with 10 rebounds, both career bests. The Ivy League named Travis Ivy League Rookie of the Week. Harvard next faces Connecticut, currently ranked ninth in the nation, on December 8.
Coach Tommy Amaker responded to the unprecedented recognition in this video, which also includes footage of the team in action.
![The Cambridge campus as seen from a vantage point above Oxford Street, looking toward the University's future in Allston [<a href="http://harvardmagazine.com/sites/default/files/375_so11_002_web.jpg">VIEW LARGER PHOTOGRAPH</a>]](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_180x101/public/img/article/0811/375_so11_002_web.jpg.jpeg?itok=w4vfNhCq "Photograph by Steve Dunwell")
