When the Varsity hoopsters step onto the floor of the Payne Whitney gym in New Haven this evening to face their traditional rivals, the Elis, it will be the familiar situation of an underdog Harvard meeting a taller opponent which boasts a far better record of wins and losses.

The Yale quintet has compiled an enviable string of 11 wins with only six losses in competition this year, while the Crimson has gained but five victories and has 11 defeats on the debit side of the ledger.

Three Tall Men

Three of the Blue five will tower above the Feslermen although the other two will be playing on even terms. Al Stevens at center is a six foot four giant, and Tom Erickson and Chuck Seelbach at the guards each stand six foot two. Johnny Cobb and Bert Ingley, forwards, are only five ten.

Seven of the Harvard squad are between five feet ten and six feet, with two above and one below that level. Charley Lutz, Bill Webber, Franny Simpson, Bud Finegan, Ed Buckley, Joe Romano, and Bob James all stand just under an even six feet, while Chet Legg is about five nine and Sam White and Ed Rothschild are six two.

Defense Tough

Yale's defense will be hard to crack with three tall men at center and guards. Ken Loeffler, Eli coach, is an advocate of the zone defensive system, and his team this year, according to Wes Fesler, has one of the best defenses of its kind in the country.

Ingley, Erickson, and Cobb are all consistent high scorers for the Blue, with Stevens and Seelbach not far behind. In the League ratings, the first three stand about on a par with Lutz and Buckley; Stevens and Seelbach are on the same level with Webber, Romano, and Finegan.

Dependable Subs

Erickson and Stevens, co-captains, are both Seniors. Cobb is a Junior, and Ingley and Seelbach are Sophomores and members of last year's Puppy five. The Elis also have a string of dependable substitutes in Ben Sullivan, Joe Zilly, and Bill Thorn, lettermen from last year, and Sophomores Al Barthelemy, Goody Rhett, and Bill Bell.

Fesler has not yet definitely settled the Crimson lineup, but the starting team means little, as no matter who opens the game, the substitutes will see their share of action.

Lutz and Simpson are sure to start at forwards, and the rest of the team is likely to be White at center and Romano and Finegan at guards. Buckley and Rothschild, however, may break into the opening line-up