The numbers: 4-3, 166th RPI, 241st Sagarin, 251st Pomeroy
The recent results: won 83-81 in OT at New Hampshire (11/29), won 76-64 at Colgate (12/2)
The upcoming schedule: at Long Island (12/9), Albany (12/12)

All on the line
Harvard has generated 151 of its 510 points (29.6 percent) at the free throw line — a higher percentage than all but two teams in Division I. The Crimson ranks fourth in the nation in free throw rate, attempting a free throw every 2.48 possessions. Impressively, Harvard also is 26th in free throw shooting at 75.1 percent as a team. Jim Goffredo (88.9 percent), Drew Housman (80.6 percent), Evan Harris (81.8 percent), and Brad Unger (81.3 percent) all are hitting over 80.0 percent of their free throws.

Cusworth looming large
As Brian Cusworth goes, so goes the Crimson. In Harvard’s four wins, Cusworth has averaged 21.5 points on 27-for-39 (69.2 percent) shooting while attempting an average of 11.0 free throws per contest. During the three-game losing streak, Cusworth averaged 13.3 points, shot a much more pedestrian 50.0 percent from the floor, and attempted only 5.0 free throws per game.

Securing the perimeter
In the three early losses, opponents burned the Crimson from three-point range, shooting 27 of 63 (42.9 percent) from distance in those games. In the losses to Boston University and Holy Cross, opposing players repeatedly were left unguarded in the corner. However, Harvard has defended the three-point arc much better since then, as opponents are just 22 of 71 (31.0 percent) from the outside during the three-game winning streak.

Goffredo running hot and cold
As has been the case throughout his career, Goffredo has been streaky so far this season. In seven games, Goffredo has has four strong shooting performances, and has struggled in the other three games. In the four contests in which he was shooting well, the senior guard has shot 26 of 56 (46.4 percent) overall and 18 of 35 (51.4 percent) from three-point range. However, in the three contests in which his shots weren’t falling, Goffredo was just 6 of 32 (18.8 percent) from the floor and 3 of 19 (15.8 percent) from three. Interestingly, Harvard is 2-1 on off nights for Goffredo, and could be 3-0 had the BU game ended differently.

Leave it to the experts
Frank Sullivan has not had good three-point shooting teams in recent years — under 33 percent each of the past three seasons. However, through seven games this year, the Crimson is hitting at a 38.1-percent clip from the arc. Part of that is the result of who is taking these shots, as Goffredo (21 of 54, 38.9 percent) and Housman (7 of 19, 36.8 percent) have accounted for 73 of the team’s 97 three-point attempts.

Team health report
Promising freshman forward Pat Magnarelli continues to be sidelined with a back injury suffered prior to the season. That and Tommy Balcetis’s decision to give up basketball due to a heart condition have left Jeremy Lin as the only freshman currently getting regular minutes.

Odds & ends
– Harvard has enjoyed a huge 201-99 edge in free throw attempts because of its own skill at getting to the line and its ability to keep opponents off the line. Crimson opponents have the 11th lowest free throw rate in the nation.

– Despite problems finishing inside (39.6-percent field goal shooting), opposing teams keep fouling Harris and sending him to the line. Harris has 36 of his 74 points at the stripe.

– Lin put together back-to-back solid games on the road last week, totaling 12 points, five rebounds, six assists, and four steals in 45 minutes. He hit at important shot in each game, and attempted his first career free throws at Colgate.

– On a team with 40 more turnovers than assists, Andrew Pusar (17-12) and Lin (13-10) are the only regulars with positive assist-turnover differentials.

– Brad Unger has had some important scoring games as a frontcourt reserve. The 6-8 junior has shown off a nice touch on his jumper while recording three double-digit scoring efforts already.

– Goffredo is shooting a higher percentage from outside the arc (38.9 percent) than he is from inside it (32.4 percent).