Last year was a down year for the Crimson. After four years with all-everything Feaster leading the way, the Crimson was reeling already. Add the loss of her supporting senior class, and the Crimson shouldn't have had a chance. But throw in whooping cough and a season-ending injury to Sturdy, the team's leading scorer at that time and the Crimson seemed lucky to go 7-7 in the Ivy.

"Not that I like losing seasons, but I always think there's a reason why you have one," Delaney-Smith said. "It needs to serve a long-term purpose. And because we have such a strong tradition of winning here. When we have a losing season, I think it only makes us better the following year because we're reminded about how we don't want that to happen again."

Injuries and illnesses, of course, the Crimson can do little about beforehand. But the players are in better shape before the season than they have been in the past, in large part because they are determined not to make this season a disappointment.

"I felt they worked really hard in the off-season," Delaney-Smith said. "I felt physically, aerobically and strength-wise, they were more prepared for the pre-season than maybe I've seen in the past. That even heightens your enthusiasm and your expectations for the season."

And Delaney-Smith has high expectations for this season. Another nationally-televised game on ESPN come March would be nice, but a few wins in the tournament would be even nicer. Both are possible, she said.

The Crimson is still feeling the positive effects of the television exposure two years ago.

Being on ESPN put Harvard on the national basketball map.

"[It has] changed our lives," Delaney-Smith said. "It is amazing at how the rich get richer because they are on TV or they have the media. I just think a lot of people were amazed that we were that competitive...I cannot even tell you how many people and emails and letters and comments we got about the work ethic, the team chemistry."