Probably not, given the way the program has continued to improve.

The good news is that the Crimson only graduates four seniors. The bad news is that two—Moore and Brett Nowak—were among the team’s top three scorers and true difference-makers in all three zones, and unfortunately it doesn’t look like Dominic Moore has another brother on the way.

So proven scorers like junior Tim Pettit, sophomore Tom Cavanagh and junior Tyler Kolarik will have to be even better next year. Role players that came on at the end of this season—sophomore Brendan Bernakevitch, freshman Charlie Johnson and junior Kenny Turano—have to increase their contributions even more.

All of the defensemen are back, which bodes well, and Grumet-Morris, as a junior, will already be in his second season as a full-time starter. The personnel will be there.

Now, as Mazzoleni said after the BU loss, the program has to “take the next step” and accomplish two things it hasn’t done yet during his tenure: beat good nonconference teams on a consistent basis during the regular season, and beat those same teams in the NCAA tournament.

Do that, and next year could be ‘The Year.’