In an important New England hoop battle tonight, a talented team from Holy Cross will trip down the Mass Pike to the Coca Cola sign for an 8 p.m. meeting in the IAB with a Crimson five eager to regain area prestige after Saturday's loss at Massachusetts.

Last year the Crimson crushed the Crusaders by nine points in Worcester, but this season Harvard will face an improved, well-balanced, and experienced crew. Coach George Blaney's squad in 3.3 this year, as compared to Harvard's 2-2 mark, but his team's three set backs have all been heartbreakers.

Led by the playmaking freshman guard King Gaskins (averaging 20 points per game), the Crusaders feature an offense that constantly thinks run. However, this fast breaking game is nicely tempered by a disciplined pattern attack when needed.

Just as the offense can shift nears in mid-game, Blaney's forces will show Harvard multiple defenses with constant changes between man-to-man and various none patterns.

Stopping Gaskins is of prime concern to Harrison and his team, but the Crimson must not overlook the Crusaders' frontliners. Jim Schnurr, at 6 ft. 6 in., averages 21 points a game from his forward slot, while at the other forward position, 6 ft. 5 in. Malcolm Moulton has been hitting 11 points per game. Imposing 6 ft. 8 in. center Gene Doyle is the leading rebounder on the squad and has been hitting at a 19-point clip per game.

Completing Blaney's starting five is 5 ft. 11 in. guard Bruce Grentz, who averages 9 points a game. Grentz was involved in a controversial play which cost Holy Cross a chance to best 12th-ranked Missouri Friday night in the Volunteer Classic.

With the Cross down by one point, 66-65, with 13 seconds to go in the game. Grentz was on the line prepared to shoot a one-and- one free threw attempt. After the referee gave Grentz the ball, a Crusader teammate allegedly tried to gain a rebounding slot at the side of the lane. The referee called an infraction for the move and gave the ball to the Tigers, who scored at the buzzer. A hosted argument failed to reverse the decision.