Official practice for the University basketball team will open this afternoon at 3 o'clock at Hemenway Gymnasium Coach Wachter met the candidates last night at the Varsity Club and outlined the plans for the season, but any candidates who did not attend the meeting may report at practice today.

Five lettermen remain from last year's aggrecation J. N. Barbee Jr. '28, W. Van A. Coombs '27, Kenneth Dorn '27, J. D. Leekley '27, and Captain J. S. Malick '27. The ineligibility of S. C. Burns '29 and Benjamin Thackaberry '29, two of the mainstays of last year's Freshman quintet, will hurt the chances of success this year, and faced with a dearth of experienced substitutes, Coach Wachter's prospects are rather gloomy.

The most strenuous schedule that a Harvard court team has ever faced will begin on December 17, when the strong Boston University quintet will visit the University floor. This is the only tilt before the vacation, but the M. I. T. battle on January 8 will start the list of stiff engagements, which extends to March 5, when the season comes to its climax against Yale in the Hemenway Gymnasium.

Freshman manager candidates should report at the same time along with the University team candidates this afternoon. The winner will be chosen after an eight weeks competition, and will be awarded his class numerals. He will also accompany the team on its numerous trips.