Tabula rasa. Forget about John Locke and consider instead the 2003-2004 Harvard men’s basketball back court. Having lost Elliott Prasse-Freeman, Brady Merchant and Patrick Harvey, this squad is starting with the blankest of slates.

Prasse-Freeman graduated as the Ivy League’s all-time assist leader and finished the year fourth in the nation in assists per game (7.7). Merchant averaged 15.4 points per game and knocked down 69 three-pointers last year as captain of the Crimson, while Harvey poured in 16.7 points per contest.

Yet such losses do not necessarily create a talent vacuum for the Crimson.

Almost all of the current back court players have seen only limited time, and opposing teams have not yet seen what these men can do.

“People don’t know who we are—not because we are not good, but because the seniors got most of the playing time, and they deserved it,” sophomore guard Michael Beal said. “We have a chance to show everyone how good we are.”

The only returning player who has ever started a college game is junior captain Jason Norman. He started the final eight games, averaging 9.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game during that stretch, which included a 20-point outburst against Yale. The southpaw small forward will strive to be more consistent this year, he said.

“My first personal goal is to become the best defensive player in the Ivy League,” Norman said. “I also think I can be a good offensive player if I can hit the open shot and get to the basket.”

After having two knee surgeries since April, Norman spent most of his summer rehabbing.

“This wasn’t a very productive off-season for me,” Norman said. “I did learn a lot this summer by watching film and picked up a lot of concepts that will help me this season.”

With Norman now healthy, Harvard coach Frank Sullivan expects him to take on the leadership position that comes with the captaincy.

“My biggest transition will be becoming a vocal leader instead of just trying to lead through my play,” Norman said.

After Norman, there appear to be no sure starters in the Crimson’s three-guard offense.

Juniors Kevin Rogus and David Giovacchini should figure heavily in Sullivan’s rotation. Last year, Rogus averaged 3.5 points per game and hit 23 three-pointers.

“He’s as good a deep shooter as we’ve had,” Sullivan said.

Rogus said he labored over the summer to avoid becoming a one-dimensional player.