Casey led the Crimson to their first Ivy League championship in team history. Picture from gocrimson.com.

With its victory over Princeton tonight, 79-67, Harvard clinched at least a share of the Ivy League.  Harvard finishes their season at 23-5 and a 12-2 Ivy League record.  They remained undefeated at home, going 14-0 in Lavietes Pavilion.  Princeton now has an Ivy League record of 11-2, with one game remaining at Penn on Tuesday.  If Penn wins, Harvard will win the Ivy League outright and secure a berth in the NCAA Tournament, March Madness.  If Princeton pulls off the road win, the Crimson and the Tigers will be named Ivy League co-champions and would play a game (believed to be next Friday at Yale) for the spot in March Madness.

Kyle Casey led the team tonight with 24 points including one nasty dunk with about 16 minutes to play to put Harvard up 47-42.  The rowdy student section chanted his name when he fouled out, minutes before they stormed the court in celebration.

Update: If necessary, the Princeton-Harvard playoff game will be Saturday, March 12 at 4 p.m. at Yale.  That game would be broadcast on ESPN3.  Likewise, the upcoming Princeton-Penn game which will determine if a playoff game is necessary will be available on ESPN3.  If Princeton wins, the Ivy League will announce ticket information for the playoff game on Wednesday morning.  Presumably, once the Ivy League allots tickets to Harvard and Princeton, Harvard Athletics will provide information regarding student tickets.

Laurent Rivard led the Crimson with 23 points. Photo from GoCrimson.com

The Harvard basketball team started 2011 off the right way with a 78-69 upset victory over Boston College.  This marked the third year in a row that Harvard has defeated the Boston area rivals.  With these three straight upsets and a 9-0 record against Massachusetts teams over the last two seasons, one could certainly make a case that Harvard has been playing the best college basketball in the state.

Unlike the last two years, Harvard pulled off this victory without previous seasons’ superstar, Jeremy Lin.  The hero of this upset was Laurent Rivard, a highly touted freshman recruit from Quebec.  He led both teams in scoring with 23 points. Various Crimson players have stepped up this season, making this team a strong candidate for best in the Ivy League.

Unlike every other Division I league (of course, we had to be different), the Ivy League has no playoffs, so the league champion is the team with the best regular season conference record.  That league champion, of course, secures a spot in the NCAA Tournament, “March Madness.”  Cornell has won the Ivy League three seasons in a row, including last year, when they had a remarkable run to the Sweet 16, but after losing their coach (to Boston College, as coincidence will have it) and  four of their five starters, they look hard-pressed to repeat.  Instead, Harvard and Princeton look like the two favorites to end up on top of the league for 2011.

The Crimson have looked strong through non-conference play, posting a 10-3 record including a 7-0 record at home.  Harvard has its first Ivy League game this Saturday at Dartmouth.  They then have a final non-conference game at George Washington before returning to Cambridge to kick conference play into full force with a 2:00 p.m. home game on January 22, against Dartmouth again, in Lavietes Pavilion, when much of the student body will be arriving back on campus.

10:52 PM:

There currently is a girl across from me in Lamont who has been taking off article of clothing by article of clothing while studying.  This has taken place over more than a half hour.  She is now down to literally just her underwear.

Nobody has reacted.  I actually don’t think many people have noticed.

Oh, wait…there are multiple girls doing it.

I think, at least five.  This girl across from me is the least afraid and got down to bra and panties first.  But another one just took her shirt off and three more are definitely on their way.

Anybody know what is happening?

Shit, paper due in an hour.  Focus, focus, focus…

Reply:

I think what’s happening is that you’re getting mentally tired and hallucinating what you want to see.

10:59 PM:

Ah, must be a Primal Scream.

From where I’m sitting, I see five girls partaking.  Super funny.  Very few reactions.

I give them props.  That is intense.

Right in the middle of the first floor reading room.

The one that started it just got up to go to the cafe or bathroom or something…in an effing thong.

Okay, I’m no longer the only one noticing.  Finally the shocked reactions you’d expect.

Reply:

Get pictures.  Cell phone pics.

11:08 PM:

I am not taking cell phone pics.  I would rather join them than take pics of them.  That is super creepy…ESPECIALLY as a guy.

They’re right in the first floor reading room.  Five I can see, four down to underwear, one halfway there.  I think there may be one more behind me from the glances they’re giving each other.

Alright, I need to finish this paper.

Reply:

I think its a Dudley Co-op thing.

11:16 PM:

Cops here…clothes on.

HUPD asking the girls for ID’s.

I know there are at least six girls involved.

By now, everyone knows and finds it hilarious.

A scream: “Yeah, Co-op!”

And a round of applause from the first and second floors of Lamont.  The awkward silence of everyone pretending not to notice is broken.  Loud whispers from all around.

Reply:

Hahaha.  That has got to be one of the best Primal Scream things I have heard yet.

Wrap-up:

Seven or eight girls total.  Possibly one guy as well.  They didn’t actually have to hand over their ID’s.

Great success.

Paper finished.  Time to go watch Primal Scream.

They also talked about music in a broad sense, from songwriting to recording.  On the issue of recorded music and the fall of the record in today’s age of digital music and single song downloads, Cline remarked that “recording is a blip on the time line of centuries and centuries of music.”  Live music has been around far longer than the first recording devices and the importance of music lies in the spontaneity of live music.  As a tip to songwriters yearning to create something new and original, he advised students not to worry too much.  He said that you will give music its own unique twist, even if it shares a chord progression with hundreds of other songs.  The two were happy to answer all questions thrown their way.  Wilco plays tomorrow night at the Orpheum in Boston.

Today, at Boloco, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., they’re giving away Mini and Small Burritos, Bowls, Wraps and Salads.  The large burritos are only a dollar.  Take advantage of the deals.  We college students love our free food, as evidenced by the lines yesterday at Ben and Jerry’s and Chipotle (oh, but you know it was worth the wait).

Harvard Square Homeless Center will be at Boloco asking for donations.  Contribute whatever you can.  It is a great organization and you are getting free food for the second day in a row after all.

You’re welcome for all the updates on free food.  We wouldn’t want you to miss out.

The lecture is free and open to all.  It will be held at 4 p.m. in the Radcliffe Gymnasium in Radcliffe Yard located at 10 Garden St.

Jay-Z plays TD Garden on March 11 and Alicia Keys plays Agganis Arena on March 22

Another great month for one of the country’s best music scenes.  This month offers concert occasions for every music fans.  Lots of fun indie pop is coming through the city.  Let them warm you up as winter slowly withdraws into spring.  Two of New York’s biggest stars, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, come up to Boston this month, playing two of the city’s largest venues, the TD Garden and the Agganis Arena.  Escape midterms for at least one concert this month.  Hop on those tickets soon.  Many of these shows will sell out.  Some of them are already sold out, leaving you to beg for your friend’s extra ticket, take your chances with scalpers, or buy the higher priced tickets from a secondary seller.

3/2: Surfer Blood, Great Scott:

Get ready for this fun, indie rock band from Florida to rock a bar sure to be filled this night with Pabst and Pitchfork lovers.

3/3: Tally Hall, Great Scott:

Light and poppy, Tally Hall come across as one of the sillier bands in indie rock.

3/4: Joe Pug, Great Scott:

The Allston bar brings in a great artist for the third night in a row in row in singer-songwriter Joe Pug.  Joe Pug has garnered a following for himself by mailing free sampler CD’s to anyone who asks and making his EP available for download free on his website.  He now tours in support of his first full-length, Messenger.

3/5: Cage the Elephant, Paradise Rock Club:

There ain’t gonna be no rest for the wicked at this show.  Cage the Elephant will keep your bodies moving for the whole show.

3/5: Margaret Glaspy, Club Passim:

Glaspy brings her charm and soulful folk back to Club Passim, a familiar venue for the Massachusetts singer-songwriter.

3/6: Hey Mama, Paradise Rock Club:

Led by the duet of Avi Salloway and Celia Woodsmith, this band makes music the way rocking roots music should be made: full of blues, soul, emotion, and fire.

3/11: Jay-Z, TD Garden:

Jay-Z is coming to Boston with Young Jeezy and Trey Songz.  Need we say more?

3/12-3/17: Dropkick Murphys, House of Blues:

What better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Boston than by going to one of of the Murphys’ seven shows leading up to March 17?

3/17: Joanna Newsom, Sanders Theatre:

Newsom brings her harp and “unique” voice to Harvard’s wonderfully acoustic theater.

3/18: Mat Kearney and Ingrid Michaelson, House of Blues:

Two talented pop artists co-headline this Thursday night at the House of Blues.

3/19: Disco Biscuits, House of Blues:

The band that defined the genre of trance fusion/jamtronica comes to Boston.  If you’re into jam bands, you need to be at this show.  Consider yourself forewarned: the band’s shows have been known to be associated with heavy drug use.  “Disco Biscuit,” itself, is a street term for MDMA.

3/20: Air, Berklee Performance Center:

Creating a very different sort of electronica-influenced music, this French duo has been putting out beautiful ambient music for over a decade now.

3/21: Roz Raskin and the Rice Cakes, The Middle East Upstairs:

This young indie-pop group from Providence performs upbeat, but soft acoustic tunes sure to make you a fan.

3/22: Alicia Keys, Agganis Arena:

On the first day back from break, the beautiful R&B singer from New York performs at Boston University’s Agganis Arena.

3/25: Toubab Krewe, Harper’s Ferry:

A festival favorite, the instrumental band, Toubab Krewe, fuses the music of Mali with US southern music and jam rock.

3/27: Spoon with Deerhunter, House of Blues:

Two of  this past decade’s most popular indie rock bands are still going strong and touring together.

3/28: Beach House, Paradise Rock Club:

The Baltimore dream pop band’s January release, Teen Dream, further raised the bar created by their first two albums.  They now tour in support of their best CD, thus far.

3/31: Miike Snow, Paradise Rock Club:

Everyone knows the best indie pop and electropop comes from Sweden.

Summer music in the midst of a New England winter

Best get ready for a whole month of good music.  Don’t miss out on the shows within walking distance at Club Passim, Sanders Theatre, The Middle East, and T.T. the Bear’s.  If you’re a festival fan, you’re going to enjoy this month with lots of summer fesitval jam band regulars making stops in Boston.  Whatever you listen to, check out some music this month to warm yourself up.

2/3: Galactic, Paradise Rock Club

Galactic embodies the melting pot culture of their hometown New Orleans.  The band can’t easily be categorized as funk, jazz, jam rock, or hip hop.  Rather, the band incorporates influences from those genres and others and creates a musical style so full of energy, you won’t be able to stop dancing.

2/5: AA Bondy, T.T. the Bear’s Place

One of this blogger’s very favorites, Bondy was formerly the frontman of grunge band, Verbena.  Since their breakup, Bondy has shown his remarkable skill as an incredible folk singer-songwriter.  If you’re into dark, beautiful folk, look no further.

2/6: Bearquarium, The Middle East Upstairs

This up-and-coming band was recently formed in Vermont at UVM, but Bearquarium is farr from your typical indie-hippie-Vermont band.  With their Afro-rock rhythms, full horns, and soulful vocals, Bearquarium has a funk  rarely found in college bands.

2/6: Tea Leaf Green, Paradise Rock Club

The most obvious comparison of Tea Leaf Green would probably be the Grateful Dead.  Both are from the San Francisco area, both are great jam bands, and both are celebrated for their psychedelic live shows.  While Tea Leaf Green may not be quite the Grateful Dead, they are sure to bring in a fun crowd to the ‘Dise.

2/6: Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Sanders Theatre

Perhaps best known as Paul Simon’s backing band on his great album, Graceland, Ladysmith Black Mambazo is an all-male vocal group from South Africa.  They’ll be performing in the same space you watch Mankiw’s lecture.

2/8: Delta Spirit, The Middle East Upstairs

Delta Spirit is the type of band you just want to sing along with, even if you don’t know them very well.  Their music is fun, jumpy, and catchy, but still manages to maintain its musical soul.

2/11: Golden Girls, The Middle East Upstairs

This band from Worcester, MA is making noise in the music scene.  Pitchfork called them “super-fun downtown punk.”  Their show  is part of the Middle East’s weekly THROWED techno parties with DJ’s and live bands.  Come rave.

2/13: Hey Mama, TOAD

A Cambridge band playing in Cambridge.  Something we don’t see frequently enough.  Hey Mama started as the duet, Avi and Celia.  Now a four-piece, Hey Mama are a fun roots rock band with heavy blues influences.  Support local music by checking out the show.

2/13: Tegan and Sara, Orpheum Theatre

How can Tegan and Sara perform so well together?  Well, it may help that the two are identical twins.  The Canadian duo has been releasing indie pop music for over a dozen years now and is still going strong.

2/16: Annie and the Beekeepers, Club Passim

Annie Lynch and her band, the Beekeepers, are an little-known jewel in today’s modern folk scene.  Lynch’s voice is easy on the ears, but the songs are in no way shallow.  If you like banjo, accordion, and beautiful voices, don’t let this show across the street slip through your fingers.

2/17: The David Wax Museum, Club Passim

The David Wax Museum follows Annie and the Beekeepers at Club Passim the next night.  The quartet’s sound is a unique blend that draws upon both  American and Mexican folk influences.  Growing ever more popular on the local scene, the band sounds like they put on a fun show.

2/19: George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, House of Blues

The P-Funk comes to Boston.  Party like it’s 1971.

2/25, 2/26, & 2/27: Citizen Cope, Paradise Rock Club

Citizen Cope, a pseudonym for the one-man-show, Clarence Greenwood, has been putting out music for over a decade now.  His songs have been featured on many television shows, most notably “Let the Drummer Kick” which has been on CSI: Miami, Cold Case, So You Think You Can Dance, and Entourage.

2/26: Umphrey’s McGee, House of Blues

One of the greatest jam bands on the modern scene, Umphrey’s cites a strong prog rock influence in their music.  Their 2007 album, Live at the Murat exhibits their ability to improvise on acoustic songs as well as electric ones, get the crowd involved, and bring new life to every show.  House of Blues is the best venue in Boston for this type of festival jam band.

2/27: Flogging Molly, House of Blues

Along with Boston’s Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly has defined Celtic punk in the past decade.  The American-based Irish seven-piece band has a more traditional Irish sound than the Murphys, but still is as much a punk band as an Celtic band.

2/27: U-Melt, Harpers Ferry

U-Melt is touring in support of their newest album, Perfect World, U-Melt is rising in the jam band world.  They’ve performed as an opener for others in this concert review, Tea Leaf Green and Umphreys McGee, but have their own unique sound.  With definite jamtronica aspects to their music, you best be ready to dance, dance to the untz, untz.

Hello Kitty + oil + curlers + snowballs = HUPD's January

Just because you go home, that doesn’t mean that HUPD stops working.  That said, the number of police reports did dramatically diminish over the past few weeks.  The decrease in the student body means fewer parties to shut down and fewer laptop thefts.  Even so, the Harvard Police Logs do not fall short when it comes to stories sure to make you laugh, tremble, or simply wonder.

This report from Christmas Eve is actually quite sad.  Don’t laugh.  That was somebody’s Christmas package.  Just picture somebody using all four of these gifts at once.  How happy would she have been then?

12/24/09 6:12 PM – 95 Prescott St. – Theft Report

Officer dispatched to take a report of items stolen from a package.  The package contained a Hello Kitty pajama set valued at $40.00, olive oil valued at $10.00, hair curlers valued at $35.00, and a snowball maker valued at $15.00.

“Damn, did I leave that straightener on?  I should go back and check so I don’t burn down all of Dunster House. It’s so cold out though.  I know.   I’ll just get HUPD to bust into my room and check for me.”

1/10/10 12:23 AM – Dunster House E – Hazardous Condition

Officer dispatched to a report that an individual possibly left their hair straightener on.  Officer arrived and reports the hair straightener was off.

In fairness to the person calling the cops on this one, this was right after the underwear bomber.   Why else would an ice pack be in a bathroom if not sitting for a terrorist to come and stick it in their pants?

1/15/10 11:45 AM – Dental School, 188 Longwood Ave, Boston – Suspicious Package

Officers dispatched to a report of an unattended package in the restroom.  Officers arrived and report the package is an ice pack and is not suspicious.

This last report is what some would call understatement.  See report of machete villain here.

1/21/10 5:24 PM – 1 Peabody St – Assist Cambridge Police

Officers assist CPD in searching the area for an individual who cut another individual and fled the area.  Officers searched the area with negative results.

Wright goes up over two Big Green Defenders for the score

While you were at home catching up on sleep and watching TV, the basketball team was back at school, kicking off Ivy League basketball by defeating Dartmouth in a blowout, 76-47. The team’s star, Jeremy Lin, finished the game with 11 points and six steals, one of which resulted in a highlight-worthy breakaway dunk.  The true star of this game, however, was Keith Wright, who finished with 22 points, three blocks, and six rebounds.  Freshman Kyle Casey was impressive, off the bench, with four blocks and an alley-oop on a pass from guard Oliver McNally.

With the win, Harvard improves to 12-3 overall and begins at 1-0 within the Ivy League.  In the past, Harvard has not had a noted basketball program.  Last season, they finished at 14-14 overall and 6-8 in the Ivy League.  This year is a different story. Tommy Amaker returns in his third season as head coach and his efforts in revitalizing the program, espescially at the recruiting level, are now showing.  Lin is averaging 17.0 points/game and the rest of the team is shining as well.  Harvard has defeated Holy Cross, William & Mary, Boston University, Boston College, and George Washington.  They also played a close game as the away team against then No. 13 UConn, before falling 79-73, a game in which Lin scored 30 points.

Cornell was the Ivy League favorite at the start of the season and has won the league the past two seasons.  Like Harvard, Cornell has been having a great season which includes a near upset then No. 1 Kansas University in Kansas one week ago.  They stand at 14-3 in overall play and play their first Ivy League game against Columbia on January 16.  The Ivy League does not have playoffs.  Instead, the league champion is decided by regular season Ivy League records.  That champion receives an automatic berth the the NCAA Division I Tournament, March Madness.  Harvard has not played in the tournament since 1946, but this perhaps this will be the year.  The Ivy League championship could quite likely come down to the two games between Harvard and Cornell.  The teams meet in Ithaca, January 30, and again at home February 19.