Wrestling coach Bob Pickett is, understandably, a little shy about making predictions these days. About a month ago he remarked that his team just might best Cornell this year, whereupon the Crimson absorbed a 23-0 shellacking.

The other day, however, Pickett ended his silence to announce that Harvard probably would best Penn's wrestling team when they meet in the IAB at 2 p.m. today.

It's easy to see why; Penn has one of the best collections of lightweight wrestlers around, and Harvard has balance. The Crimson ought to be able to pile up enough points in the middle weight classes be offset an early Quaker lead.

Three Stars

Penn comes to Cambridge with three of the best wrestlers in the Ivy League. 123-pounder Rich Sofman is unbeaten for the year, and holds a decision over Cornell's Neal Orr (Orr pinned the Crimson's Mike King, who could be in for a rough afternoon). At heavyweight, 230-pound Bruce Jacobsohn has been a Quaker standout for three years.

At 137 the Quakers present one of the most spectacular shows the Ivy League has seen in a long time. Ted Lansky, senior transfer from Wooster, has never lost a match, rolling up a slightly incredible 72 consecutive wins--he was 50-0 in high school and is 22-0 in college.

Pickett will probably have to concede these three stars their points--though it will be interesting to see how Harvard's slick sophomore Howard Durfee does against Lansky. Tack chace is lighter than Jacobsohn, but should give him a match, while King, who has to face Sofman, is a fast-improving wrestler.

Counting On Conley

Even if all three lose, Harvard can recoup by picking up points where Penn is weak. That means especially at 147 (where Brian Conley tackles the Quakers' Tom McMahon), 157 (where Junior Jack Mamana faces winless Burt O'Donnell), 167 (where Captain Fred Pereira can beat just about anybody), and 177 (where sophomore Lamar Fertig takes on Penn's Jerry Gates).

The match might be decided at 130 and 191--in the former, Brian Smith faces Penn's Captain Bill Lukens. Ben Brooks and Penn's letterman Steve Sawyer tangle at 191.