Minus the services of Charlie Lutz, the Crimson basketball team tonight enters the first of its three crucial concluding games when it faces Princeton on the Nassau court.

With the return of Johnny Vruink to the Bengal lineup after an absence of two months due to an appendicitis operation, the Tiger Quint has suddenly surged out of a slump, that sunk them to the circuit cellar to trip the league leading Indians 47-38 and then rout Penn 38-36.

Princeton Favored

By defeating the Quakers, Princeton toppled one team out of the running for the title and tonight will have an opportunity to wipe out any Fesler aspirations for the championship. Because of the Tigers' remarkable showing in their last two encounters and because of the inability of Charlie Lutz to play, the Orange and Black must necessarily be given the nod in this evening's game.

To date Coach Wesler's team has won five contests and lost four and now rests in a second place tie with Columbia.

Heckel or Litman Starters

Fesler will probably start either Fred Heckel or Arnie Litman in Lutz's forward post with John Herrick at center and Red Lowman in the other front line position. Captain Vernon Struck and Ulysses Lupien will be the starting guards. Princeton is expected to use its successful quint of Vruink and Appel forwards, Meyerholz center, Lloyd and Hobler guards.