The varsity basketball team is like a blushing bride on her wedding night just when it needs confidence most, it faces its biggest challenge.

After two crushing defeats at the hands of Columbia and Cornel, the varsity possesses an 0-2 Ivy record, and its overall slate has dwindled to 6-4. Tonight the Crimson must face the League leader and defending champion, Dartmouth, and the powerful Big Green will have the advantage of playing on its home floor.

Varsity coach Floyd Wilson has called the Dartmouth court the most disturbing in the Ivy League, since the spectators seem to be almost on top of the action. Even if the Crimson manages to overcome this drawback, it still will have to handle a tall, well co-ordinated Big Green five.

Kaunfman Heads Veterans

All-Ivy guard Chuck Kaufman heads a solid core of four Big Green veterans who have worked together since their fresh man year. Kaufman is an extremely quick ball-handler, and he is usually at the head of Dartmouth's fast break.

Kaufman's running mate, Walt Sosnowski, is the same type of fast, all-round operative, and is an even better driver. Gary Vandeweghe, a 6 ft., 4 in. forward, has always been a good rebounder, and lately has become a scoring threat. Forward Bryant Barnes is the unsung hero of the Big Green squad, but he can be very noticeable on one of his hot nights.

George Ramming, a husky center, is Dartmouth's fifth man. The leading reserve is 6 ft., 8 1/2 in. Dave Farnsworth, a displayed member of the Kaufman-Sosnowski-Vandeweghe-Barnes syndrome.

Wilson will stick with the lineup of guards Bob Bowditch and Mike Donohue, center Bry Danner, and forwards Gary Borchard and Ed Cuffe. Guard Greg Loser and center Bill Danner will see consider able service.

Cuffe is fresh from a 28-point effort against Cornell. Against the Big Red he hit on 10 of 12 free throws and nine of 29 floor shots. Hopefully, Cuffe will shoot a little less tonight, and the others will hit to give Dartmouth a fight.