The cards appear to be in place, but Amaker is reserved. The departures of Casey, Laurent Rivard ’14, and Brandyn Curry ’14 leave the Crimson thinner in the backcourt. With the exception of Smith, the team has largely avoided injuries to its key players during its four-year run, but there is no guarantee that lasts.

It’s why Amaker has such disregard for expectations. A twisted ankle could change everything. A one-bid conference leaves the Crimson with little room for error. As a rival coach noted to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, “[Harvard] barely won the league last season, and the same can be said the year before [sic].” The team’s status as the favorite comes with a target on its back; three straight outright championships comes with potential for complacency.

“Coming into this year, I was anxious to gauge the hunger of this team,” Amaker said. “One of the things that drove us last year was Kyle and Brandyn. They brought a hunger because they weren’t a part of the year before.”

Smith talks about the same thing—having a purpose and leaving an indelible mark on the program. As the Crimson tries to live up to its internal standards, Amaker stresses that the season will hinge on the team’s hunger.

“That senior class has to have a purpose about finishing off their careers in a way that’s unprecedented,” Amaker said. “I think if we bring those elements to this group with that kind of talent, I like where this team can go.”

—Staff writer David Freed can be reached at david.freed@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter @CrimsonDPFreed.