Last season, the Crimson finished fourth in the Ivy League, with a 7-7 record. Clemente acknowledges that this year's team is different from last year's team. The loss of Tim Hill to graduation is a particular blow to the dynamic of the team.

"[This season], Tim Hill isn't going to have the ball 85-90 percent of the time like he did last year, so the offense appears the same, but it really is a little different," Clemente said. "My role is really going to be pretty much the same thing, but the ball will be in my hands more."

Clemente praised the significant time that guard Drew Gellert spent on the basketball court this summer. But Gellert has a separated right shoulder and may not be available until Thanksgiving.

The loss of Gellert and sophomore Alex Lowder to injury diminishes the Crimson's already small pool of experienced guards. Luckily, injury has not plagued the entire team. After reconstructive surgery in March, Clemente returns to the offense healthier and even more of a threat.

"We have a couple of new things where I'm setting screens and stepping out to the perimeter more," Clemente said. "Coach definitely did change a few things this year which suit me better."

Harvard has focused on its defensive strategies with its changed roster. The team is much smaller in size this year and must fight aggressively for key rebounds.

"As Coach says, this year, it is going to be the defense and it's going to be the rebounding and that's going to be the foundation," Clemente said.

With the loss of four of the top five scorers last season to graduation, the Crimson will look to the freshmen to step up their game this year. Clemente mentioned freshman forward Onnie Mayshak and guard Elliott Prasse-Freeman as promising players.