When the B.U. mermen enter the pool at the New Indoor Athletic Building tonight at 8.30 o'clock, they will be staring defeat full in the face for this is the year's first intercollegiate test for another of Coach Hal Ulen's super-swimming teams.

Harvard has been beaten but five times in its 31 encounters, in the last three years bowing only to Yale, and this year's team is a fit successor to that led by Esty Stowell, captain of yesterday, year and intercollegiate backstroke champion.

Practically certain to score for Harvard are Captain Roy Wallace in the 50-yard free style, Vic Leventritt in the 200-yard breaststroke, and Egbert Howell, a recent graduate of the House ranks, in the 220-yard free style. Sophomores John Colony in the 100-yard free style and Gregory Jameson in the 440-yard free style are also expected to deliver.

In the diving the Crimson should emerge with the first two places, taken by Henry Fitts and Bernard Merriam, and of a Harvard victory in the relay there is little doubt.

Considerable interest will be manifest as the swimmers hit the water in this second meet of the year. Because the times in the December Alumni meet were relatively slow, the clocking tonight will mark the team's progress and form evidence on which to base a forecast for the remainder of the season.

Among the fast Yearling swimmers whom Coach Bob Muir will throw against B.U. in a 7.30 o'clock pre-Varsity encounter, are Peter E. Arioli, Jr. in the 50-yard free style and Dario C. Berizzi in the 220-yard free style. The program contains a total of 16 events and will be open to the general public