3/1: Ivy Quarter Finals:
1 Harvard 83–52 Yale 8. The subhumans of New Haven were spanked soundly! Holm, Hill, and Fowl had 19 each. Ecks had 10 assists.
2 Dartmouth 87–67 Brown 7. First time in 3 years a #2 seed moves on.
3 Princeton 87–62 Penn 6
4 Cornell 73–65 Columbia 5
3/2: Ivy Semifinals:
1 Harvard 78–52 Cornell 4. No TOs- 0- in the first half! 4 in toto. 23, 11, 3 for Ron Holm.
2 Dartmouth 77–71 Princeton 3
3/3: Ivy Finals:
1 Harvard 77-75– Dartmouth 2. 40-40 at the half. Close all the way. They missed a three at the buzzer.
3/12: 28-2. #16, RPI #17. 24 consecutive wins.
#6 West. I thought we’d be higher. We play #11 Central CT, 25-5.
3/17: 85-68. It wasn’t that close. 7 TOS. Ron Holm led us with 17, 7, 6, 4.
#3 seed, #13 ranked Kansas ST, 27-6, next. We’ve been to this point eight consecutive times; we failed to advance in each of the previous seven. This year? I think we have a reasonable chance to prevail. The teams seem to be about equally matched with our advantage outside and theirs inside. We shall see!
3/19: 91-75! 55-32 at the half. We scored the first 14 points. At long, long last! Ryab Hill had 19 and 9 but our domination was total.
It will be our old nemesis Temple, #2 seed, #7 ranked, #9 RPI, 25-7, in the Sweet Sixteen. They are a very good team and we shall have our work cut out for us.
3/24: 69-86. 39-40 at the half. We stayed with them for about 25 minutes but they are a very talented team.
4/4: Not a single #1 seed in the Final Four. #9 Houston won the title.
Awards: PG Jim Fowl is Ivy Frosh of the year and 2nd team. Junior Ryab Hill is Defensive POY and 1st team. Senior Ron Holm also made 2nd team. For the 9th time in 10 years I win the coaching award.
4/9: Well… I did not retire! Cissy is not happy. As of 12:35 this afternoon I am the head coach of the Fighting Illini of the University of Illinois. I am quite simply not yet ready to leave coaching. I agree that there are more important things I could, and perhaps should be doing. I am soon to be 45 years old. I shall retire at age 50… or so.
The Illini are rated at A- in academics so they are a very good school… not Harvard, of course, but then who is…
4/10: Dan Shagnastie, ‘Speaking of Sports.’ I swore I would never do this again, but given the circumstances I didn’t have much choice. I’m here with Rich Pointguard, Robert Coachsee, Andrew Hortonbloom, and Wayne Twothree. Boys, Coach Smythe left us. Rich.”
“Can’t believe it! I was going to dedicate my season in three legged racing to him. I feel abandoned. I’m telling you, it’s like all the bounce has gone out of my life.”
“Robert- I mean, Bob?”
“I turned in my shoes. I can’t go on dancing. Irish Step Dancing is about motivation. My motivation was to bring glory to the team, and especially to Coach Smythe. I can’t go on.”
“Andrew?”
“It’s a real kick in the butt. I mean, even my pet Hamster, ‘Crimson’ is off his feed.”
“Is this the hamster that you- never mind, I retract the question. Wayne?”
“I’ve given up on just about everything. I donated my odd socks to the local homeless shelkter and took down the Facebook page. I won’t be buying season tickets for next season. I’m switching to BU hockey. Forget about it.”
“Sad days here in Cambridge folks.”
4/16: We hire assistants, and sign one additional recruit.
4/23: We ask for a budget increase. Granted! $13,650.
So ends 10 years at Harvard. Let us see what the future brings.