Short MIT Squad Will Face Cagers in Saturday Opener

M.I.T. will pit a relatively inexperience, medium-sized basketball team against the Crimson Varsity Saturday night in the opening game for both squads, reports from the Massachusetts Avenue institution disclosed yesterday.

Not one of last year's first Strangers has returned to Coach John F. McCarthy, who has directed the Tech quintet since 1929, but McCarthy expects a better showing form his current outfit than the six victories and nine defeats which marked the 1945-46 M.I.T. campaign.

Five Men with previous experience are on hand, notably Ray Haddox and Doug Watson, who captained Tech teams to 1943-44 and 1944-45, respectively, while members of the V-12 unit. Also available are Fred hunching, whose brother Ted was captain of last year's team and is now assistant coach of the squad, and former Jayvees Dave Ciccone and earl Dionne.

Tech Squad Short

McCarthy will not select his starting team until the night of the game. The Techmen average only five feet ten, a fact that has caused the coach some concern. Tallest performer on the squad is six-foot-three-inch Lou Morton, a Freshman.

Meanwhile, daily practices at the Indoor Athletic Building have been giving Bill Barclay, Crimson basketball coach, more of a line on his talent. Although still unwilling to name a starting five, Barclay said that his selections will be made from this group; Saul mariaschin, Leo Page, George Hauptfuhrer, Steve Davis, Bill Harford, John Gantt, John Noble and Jack Torgan.

Of the football players who have recently joined the team, only Hauptfuhrer seems certain to see considerable action, but Ralph Petrillo, Bill Henry and Bob Grady may move up. The team will practice tomorrow afternoon at the Boston Garden, scene of Tuesday night's encounter with essentially the same holy Cross five which landed Coach Floyd Stahl's Crimson squad its only regular season defeat last season.