Spirited Varsity Five Opens Season vs. Huskies Tonight

Harvard's basketball team, small in height, weak in scoring potential, but, nevertheless strong in its desire to win for Coach Floyd Wilson, will open its season against Northeastern tonight. The varsity game, preceded by a freshman contest at 6:15, will start at 8:15 in the Huskies' now gymnasium.

Last in the Ivy League for the past three seasons, the Crimson does not have more material than last year, but Coach Wilson, who will be making his debut as head coach tonight, has put together a very spirited squad. If the practice seasons at the I.A.B. have meant anything, tonight's team should but an improvement upon the lackluster squads of recent years.

The grand opening of Northeastern's gym on Saturday was a complete flop as far as its team was concerned. An undefeated University of Massachusetts five beat the Huskies, 70 to 63.

Last year, the varsity routed Northeastern 75 to 63, in a scoring triumph for center Harry Sacks. Sacks, the team's leading scorer last year, and one of four veterans in the starting lineup tonight, tallied 28 points in last year's victory, one of the Crimson's nine in a season which saw 16 defeats.

In addition to the 6-3 Sacks whose hustle in practice sessions has had a large part in raising the team's confidence, Wilson will start seniors Harry Manning and Rollin Perry at forwards; and Captain Roger Bulgor and sophomore Bob Dolven at the guards.

Because his team in neither very big nor blessed with exceptional outside shooters, Wilson has had the Crimson use a slow, possession-type game in practice, relying on set plays and patterns to score points. Sacks will operate out of the pivot from where he has perfected the technique of drawing fouls. In each of the last two years he has set Ivy League foul shooting records.

In addition to his starters, Wilson has a number of sophomore prospects who may develop this year into future stars. These men are led by 6-3 Ike Canty, high scorer on last year's undefeated freshman squad. Canty is solidly built and a very good rebounder. He is a pivot man and can hook with either hand.

Other players expected to see action include sophomores Phil Haughey, Lou Lawenfels, Neil Muncaster, and Junior Bob Bowman.

For Joe Zabilski's Huskies, 5-10 Captain Eddie Ayres will be the man the Crimson need fear the most. Ayres scored 18 points in their loss Saturday. Lacking height, Northeastern's strength lies in the outside shooting of Ayres and George O'Rourke, also 5-10.

After tonights encounter, the Crimson will open its Ivy League schedule against Brown Wednesday at the I.A.B.

In case you have missed them, the new rule changes which will be used this year include:

1) The one and one rule in which a player who was fouled before the last three minutes of a game received an extra shot if he missed his first shot, has been reversed. Now, a player receives an extras short if he sinks his first shot and none if he misses. All other fouling rules remain the same.

2) Whereas the game has previously been played in four ten-minute periods, it will now be played in two 20-minute halves.