The Harvard University Society of Masochists--IAB branch--reports to the fourth floor of the University's antiquated athletic facility tonight for the opening performance of the Society's darlings--the Varsity basketball team.

A quick glance at the roster might discourage the Society. Everyone is back from last year--with the exception of Gene Dressler whose little man hustle got lost in Coach Floyd Wilson's big-man oriented offense.

Returning in the forecourt are juniors Chris Gallagher, Barth Royer and Bob Kanuth. Gallagher--the team's high scorer last year with an 18-point average--must avoid an injury comparable to last season's broken toe incident if Harvard is to have a consistent attack.

Guards

At guard, Wilson has more men than he can use. It seems that captain Bobby Beller, the Brooklyn brawler, will start alongside of springy-legged junior Bob Johnson with Eric Gustafson and Jeff Grate in close reserve. Grate, a two year star, has been sidelined by illness in early practice sessions and doesn't seem to be at the peak of his jump-shooting game.

Despite this experienced nucleus, the team, or perhaps more explicitly the rigorous Ivy League, will probably still bring smiles to the faces of the Society.

This League may well be the most balanced one in the country. There's no UCLA and even the usual pansies, Brown, Harvard, and possibly Dartmouth, could challenge for the top.

Cornell is back with the likes of Morris, South and Esdale who were good enough to knock off top-ten member Princeton once. And the Tiger has Chris Thomforde back--old Nassau will be tough. Columbia has the big Newmark after a year-off and gave New England power Holy Cross a tough time in a pre-season scrimmage.

Yale will have (tremble) Brian Dowling . . . and may the Lord help everyone else.

Floyd Wilson will continue to slog away with his patient, ball control offense, hoping to get shots for Gallagher and Royer. Sixth man Jerry O'Neil, the shooting machine freshman captain, bombed very accurately against pre-season opponents Brandeis and Connecticut; Wilson may be hard put to keep the 6'4" sophomore on the sidelines.

At times last year, Bob Johnson enthralled the Society, in spite of itself, with short bursts of leaping vigor. For three or four minute stretches, Johnson would go wild hitting long jumpers, blocking shots and sparking a sluggish offense. But he tended toward the inconsistent and Gustafson moved past him by season's end.

Harvard should beat tonight's opponent--B.U.--without too much trouble.

The game will be broadcast over WHRB, starting at 7:55 p.m.