The difference between last year’s 82-62 victory over Harvard University and this year’s frustrating 75-68 loss for the Northeastern men’s track team?

It’s quite simple to coach Sherman Hart.

“Conditioning,” he said of Saturday’s meet at Gordon Track in Allston. “It’s a good wake-me-up call for this team. I always tell them it’s easy to get on top, but tough staying there. I think they missed that ‘staying on top’ part of the statement.”

The Husky season, which began on Dec. 4 at the annual Husky Carnival, comes after a year of success and records. NU grabbed the spotlight at the Reggie Lewis Center with a convincing victory at the Adidas Boston Indoor Games, and was led all year long by sprinter Idris Payne, the Most Outstanding Track Performer at the America East Championships.

Nonetheless, Hart expected a lot from the Crimson, who began their season with a close 70-68 loss to cross-river rival Boston College. What he didn’t foresee, however, was the status of his players.

“I expected them [Harvard] to be very competitive with us,” Hart said. “They lost at BC and were ready to come at us. My kids came back out of shape. We lost numerous points in the distance, from the 800 up to the 3,000. It’s not that Harvard is that good, it’s that we were just that bad.”

The Huskies were led early by Steve Langton and Payne, but lost it all in the 4×800.

Harvard ran a blazing 8:08.47, over 20 seconds faster than NU’s time of 8:29.43, where Thomas Pratt, Jose Fernandez, Tim Chan and Tom Brown all competed.

“We should have beat Harvard,” Hart said matter-of-factly. “If we were in shape, we would have.”

Langton, named the America East Field Perfomer of the Week, won both the 60 and the long jump. His time of 7.09 led a top-three finish for NU along with Jonathan Watkins and Bismark Osei, who had times of 7.21 apiece.

He provided more crucial points in the long jump with a 6.74 meter leap, while Payne picked up where he left off last year in securing wins in both the 200 (22.58) and 400 (48.27).

“[Langton and Payne] did things that they are capable of doing,” Hart said. “They did what they had to do. Langton, especially, coming off of an injury. What can I say? They did a great job for us.”

The Crimson stayed even by dominating the distance portion of the meet.

Sean Barrett (4:26.62) and Connor Wilson (4:28.50) were 1-2 in the mile, while Christopher Green (1:57.74) and Barrett (1:59.19) were just as effective in the 800.

Pratt’s third-place finish of 2:36.41 could not stop another top two finish for Harvard in the 1000 where Ala McLean-Foreman (2:34.01) and Jonathan Paul (2:35.96) were victorious.

The misfortune for the Huskies in the distance was even more obvious in the 3000 where Harvard took the first seven spots.

Kevin Lyons (8:45.13), Devin Lyons-Quirk (8:50.74) and Ryan Hafer (9:03.84) were the first three to cross the finish line in the event.

NU did benefit from Ed Reardon in the weight throw (15.49m), Will Davidian in the 500 (1:07.22), Peter Jasmin in the 60 hurdles (8.35), Aaron Hill in the pole vault (4.57 meter), and a close win in the 4×400 (3:33.10).

The Huskies will have time to re-group before their next meet, the Great Dane Classic in New York City, Sunday at 5 p.m.