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Harvard’s Kenyatta Smith out indefinitely with a foot injury

Arizona's Lyons drives for shot while defended by Harvard's Rivard and Smith during NCAA tournament basketball game in Salt Lake City

Arizona guard Mark Lyons (2) drives for a shot while defended by Harvard guard Laurent Rivard (0) and center Kenyatta Smith (25) during the second half of their third round NCAA tournament basketball game in Salt Lake City, Utah, March 23, 2013. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

REUTERS

We’ve been saying all preseason that Harvard’s talented and deep enough to make another run in the NCAA tournament, and that fact was tested on Sunday afternoon.

Jonah Travis, the brother of Stanford commit Reid Travis, went for 20 points and 10 boards in just 22 minutes as the Crimson knocked off Holy Cross in their season-opener. Travis wasn’t expected to be a starter or a star for Tommy Amaker’s club this season, but he was forced into duty when it was announced that Kenyatta Smith would be out indefinitely with a foot injury.

Smith started 15 games last season, averaging modest scoring and rebounding numbers but providing Harvard with a defensive presence around the rim, swatting 2.1 shots per game.

The timetable for Smith’s return isn’t known, but the depth is there to survive his absence. Kyle Casey and Steve Moundou-Missi started on Sunday. Travis came off the bench and starred, and Harvard also has top 100 freshman Zena Edosomwan, a 6-foot-9 bruiser. They’ll be tested November 24th, when the Crimson take on Colorado.

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