So they're not exactly the Michigan Fab Five.

But that didn't stop Harvard sophomores Michael Gilmore, Terrence Mann and Darren Rankin from playing a big role on the Harvard men's basketball team last year.

As freshmen, all three got considerable amounts of playing time, and they're hungry for more this season, when they'll form part of the nucleus of the team.

The entire trio, ironically, found the initial adjustment to college basketball difficult.

"It was a very tough transition," Gilmore said. "It took about half a season to get used to the different style. When I first came on, everyone was a lot better than I expected." Rankin and Mann expressed a similar surprise.

"I guess I didn't know what to expect," Rankin said. "Coming from the Midwest, I didn't know too much about the Ivy League. I had to work much harder than I thought I would."

"I came from a different high school background," said Mann, a California resident. "It took me awhile to get caught up. For half the season I didn't really know the plays very well.

At a place like Harvard, such difficulties merit no surprise, according to Sullivan: "The transition from high school to a Division One college is demanding, especially when you factor in the academics."

Late night study sessions notwithstanding, the sophomores encouraged the coaching staff with their progress.

"All three of them have maintained a high level of play consistently," Sullivan said. "Darren and Mike became starters, and Terry proved to be valuable off the bench." Their talents weren't lost on the rest of the Ivy League, either.

"I think they're going to be great players," said Fran Dunphy, head coach of the powerful Pennsylvania team. "They've had a significant impact. Darren's a great rebounder, and Gilmore has good shooting ability."

The three sophomores' success took a variety of forms. In addition to their oncourt exploits, they all became friends away from the game.

Gilmore and Rankin are roommates in Leverett House, and Mann, who lives in Cabot, is a close friend of both.

"We're all pretty good friends," Gilmore said. "[Darren] and I had so much in common we became roommates."

"We became friends quickly," Rankin said. "Terry and Mike knew each other from camps, and I became friends with them. We hang out a lot."

That friendship was forged in a sort of fire, as Harvard limped through the trio's first season with a 6-20 record.

"I was happy to be a starter, but we didn't have very many wins," Rankin said. "I came from a high school [in Wisconsin] that had a tradition of 20 or more wins in a season, and last year it was the opposite."

Now, having somewhat established themselves personally, the three sophomores point to the team's success as their top goal.

"This year is going to be fun and more relaxed [for me]," Mann said. "And the team is definitely going to be a lot better."

"I think that this team is really good," Gilmore said. "We will be really competitive, and we play so well together."

"We have great expectations so far, and we want to turn things around and get some more wins," Rankin said.

Part of their role on this year's team, say the sophomores, is to stabilize a team that will contain three new freshmen.

"[This year] we talk to the frosh a lot," Mann said. "We tell them to keep a positive attitude, relax, and if they make mistakes that they have to take them in stride."

Gilmore, rankin and Mann may not be the Fab Five. But on this Harvard team, it's hard not to see them as the Super Sophs.