Victories over opponents like Maine, Minnesota, and Temple could be season-defining moments for the unproven squad. At the Fordham Holiday Tournament, Harvard will have the opportunity to enter Ivy League play on the rise—and have the momentum to compete for the Ancient Eight crown.

Princeton and Dartmouth have both given the Crimson trouble in recent history, and despite Cornell’s freshman-heavy squad, the team was voted to finish in fourth place—one spot below Harvard. So the Big Red will definitely be a team to watch this season.

All roads to the throne seem to go through Philadelphia as the Penn Quakers are coming off a visit to the NCAA Basketball Tournament last season, as well as being unanimously selected to defend their title.

The Crimson is aware of Penn’s potential for this season but feels that it is ready and prepared for the challenge.

“We think we’ll be in the race, definitely,” Delaney-Smith said. “Because of Penn’s system and Penn’s height—their system and their height sets everyone back on their heels. Our job is to be able to have a system where we sustain [good shooting]. I know we can do it. It’s just a matter of the mental game and the relentless persistence in working hard and not worrying about getting your shot blocked. We have the three-point ability and the inside threat to play anyone.”

Despite losing three key seniors, then, Harvard is ready to return to battle—and ready to do whatever it takes to be on top at the end of the season.

“We have a lot of good players on the team,” Rooks said. “Everyone can play multiple positions. I’m willing to do whatever is necessary for me to do on the court. At the end of the day, I want to get the championship and wear that ring.”

—Stuart Johnson and Manav Khandelwal can be reached at stuart.johnson@thecrimson.com and manav.khandelwal@thecrimson.com