Although not as yet pressed by serious opposition in its first three encounters against M.I.T., Northeastern, and Williams, the Varsity basketball team by these impressive victories seems slated to go far in the Eastern Intercollegiate League this winter. With the first circuit game scheduled for January 8 against Dartmouth, Coach Wes Fesler will have considerable time to smooth out rough spots and work out the best unit.

Discarding the system he employed in his first four years as the Crimson mentor, Fesler has adopted the Purdue type of offense. Instead of certain fixed plays as in the past, the new system is based on "working the ball" in toward the basket with sudden breakes intended to set up a score. For the inauguration of this offense, which requires above all else clean, swift ball-handling, Fesler has at present a lineup of three seasoned regulars from last year and two adopt newcomers.

Captain Vernon Struck, George Lowman, and Ulysses Lupien, form the nucleus of veterans, with Charlie Lutz, last year's Yardling captain, and John Herrick, Varsity reserve center a year ago, completing the first team. As Bill Gray's understudy Herrick saw considerable action in last season's games and although still slightly awkward, the six foot six center has greatly improved in handling himself and the ball on the floor. In Lutz, Fesler has found as sure a passer and deceptive a dribbler as any of the more experienced members of the squad.

With the new rules of eliminating the tipp-off and limiting the time a team may keep the ball behind the center line and in the "hole", the game has speeded up greatly and is subsequently harder on the players. For this reason the lack of reserve strength may cause the Crimson difficulty in future League contests. Most noticeable weakness of the Varsity substitutes has been on the defense. In games to date the opposition scored comparatively at will when the first string cagers were withdrawn from action.

Of the reserves Fred Heckel stands out. A veteran, Heckel plays either forward and guard and is making a serious bid for a regular position, showing top form against Williams. Forwards, Arnie Litman and Chet Legg, will probably be used often along with John Dampeer and Dick Wills, guards.

Apparently Fesler has been atempting to toughen his first team in anticipation of long service in Ivy League encounters, by allowing them to participate long after the game is on ice. Herrick especially tires easily. Because the center reserves are inexperienced and not as yet ready for Varsity competition, it has been necessary to move Lowman over from his forward position. With height less emphasized for a center under the new ruling which gives the ball to the scored on team after a basket, the team will be at no great disadvantage with Lowman in the pivot post.