Hoopsters Host Holy Cross Crusaders

With the prospect of a three game losing streak hanging over the Crimson hoopsters, things no longer look so rosy down at the IAB.

Secure and confident last week with an unblemished 3-0 mark, the Crimson has been sent reeling by losses to American and Catholic Universities, and looks to regroup tonight against Holy Cross (7:30 IAB).

Keep your fingers crossed, because it won't be easy.

The Crusaders lost just two players from last year's 19-11 squad, and Coach George Blaney brings a relatively young, but still experienced team into town for the 34th hard court meeting between the two schools. Perhaps more importantly, it is a team that remembers last season's 81-80 Harvard upset.

It's dangerous to talk about a starting five for Holy Cross, because Blaney uses numerous combinations of at least ten players, and no player has averaged more than 31 minutes per game so far this season.

Fresh Bodies

Tonight, though, the Crusaders should start an imposing quintet, with 6 ft. 7 in. Garry Witts, 6ft. 10 in. Tom Seamen, and 6ft. 8 in. Chris Logan up front and Kevin Greany and Ed Thurman in the back-court. 6 ft. 9 in. center-forward Ernie Floyd will figure prominently coming off the bench.

"We keep fresh bodies on the court all the time, and we keep coming at you. I think that's our main strength," Blaney said yesterday.

With co-captain Tom Mannix out with two dislocated fingers, Crimson coach Frank McLaughlin should start Mark Harris, Monroe Trout and Joe Carrabino at the forward positions, with Calvin Dixon and Donald Fleming getting the nod in the back court.

Both coaches agree that rebounding will determine the outcome of tonight's game, and if the last two games are any indication, the Crimson could be in big trouble.

While Harvard has been having trouble recently on the boards, the Crusaders have destroyed Yale, Navy and Assumption mostly on the strength of their rebounding. "The key, as in most games, will be domination on the boards," Blaney said, "and we've been outrebounding teams by about 11 or 12 per game."

"Boxing out inside is going to be the key to this game," McLaughlin said.

Offensively, look for the Crimson to slow down Holy Cross's fast-paced run and gun attack--which has averaged 81 points per game so far--with a sort of modified stall. McLaughlin hopes to put the pressure on the Crusader defense by holding the ball and passing extensively.

Count the intangibles--specifically the home court advantage--heavily in the Crimson's favor. McLaughlin believes that the presence of the Band and a large crowd is worth between five and eight points for the Crimson, and hopes for a large turnout.