Everyone was disappointed with the five-game losing streak that hit the Crimson in the heat of the Ivy League race, but perhaps no one was hurt more than Clemente.

In his four years at Harvard, he has improved immensely, and to a large extent so has the team in general.

So when someone points out the Crimson's stagnated Ivy record over the last four years--6-8, 7-7, 7-7, 7-7-- it's hard for Clemente to keep his usually cool composure.

"I've had a couple days to get some perspective, but I can't really come up with any reason," Clemente says. "Luck and timing maybe? It's not because we're not working enough."

No one would ever accuse Clemente of not working enough at basketball. Admittedly, the game is his first love. In fact, there may be no more bigger basketball junkie in Boston than Clemente now that Rick Pitino's gone.

He started his ascent as one of the best scorers in Harvard history by starting all four years for Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, N.Y., his hometown. He prepped a year at St. Thomas More in Connecticut before entering Harvard in 1997.

His first three years on the Crimson were marked by consistent offensive prowess but nagging injuries. In his freshman season, he missed four games with an ankle sprain. That injury kept recurring during the summer before the 1998-99 season, but structural work kept the ankle intact and Clemente had a full and effective season.