The Terriers have had more success in early February. Their coach, Jack Parker, centered three Pot champions (1966-68) and B.U. is the last squad to claim the event three years in a row (1971-1973).
The Crimson isn't looking for three Pots right now, it would settle for just one.
"I wouldn't bet against them," B.U. Assistant Coach Ben Smith says.
One of the apparent repercussions of winning a Beanpot, though, is doing poorly in the post-season playoffs, where many Harvard teams--including last year's squad that claimed a bid to the NCAA tournament--have shined.
But that hasn't tempered the desire of Crimson Coach Bill Clearly (the 1955 Beanpot MVP) to snag his fifth Beanpot--and fourth as a coach.
"The team that's won has been croaked in the playoffs," Cleary says. "But we still want to win it."
It's a tournament with no seedings and no favorites. And for a game that's played on ice, the action gets awfully hot.
But with its third place finish last year, the Crimson may have just the spark it needs to go over the top for the ninth time in its history.
"It's our time to win," Cleary says.