The Harvard fencing squad opens its season today against Southeastern Methodist University, a team which the fencers always used to be sure to beat.

But the 1973 Crimson squad can't be sure of anything. An accumulation of hobbled starters and graduated stars, plus a much improved opponent, could reverse the score of last year's 17-10 victory over the Corsairs.

"I hope we will win, but it's not like every other year when I said there's no problem," coach Edo Marion said yesterday.

Weak Sabres

Marion cited the inexperience of the sabre unit as the most vulnerable part of the team's lineup. "It's the weakest group in my 22 years of coaching," he said.

However, Marion believes that because of the team's inexperience they will try to put much more into their effort. He said that nobody is a "prima donna" on this year's team, and that all the fencers are very team conscious.

Marion looks for his foil and epee units to pick up the sabres' slack. Foilers Howard Weiss and Phillipe Bennett, both returnees, have both experience and excellent style.

Bennett, although hampered by a recent sickness, has always had high potential. One of the top collegiate choices last year, Bennett fenced for the U.S. junior Olympic team and the National team. However, Bennett had a very disappointing first season at Harvard last year.

"He had a tough transition from high school to college but now he is over the stage fright," Marion said.

Team captain Eugene White and sophomore Eric Read are the standouts on this year's epee squad. White is a stylist who has proven that he can win consistently.

But in the sabres only sophomore Larry Tucan can be regarded as having definite potential. "He is completely inexperienced but he is physically and temperamentally fit for fencing," Marion said.

With two potentially strong weapons Marion expects to put up a better showing in the Ivy League than he did last year. In that ill-fated campaign the Crimson squad came in last in the league, losing several close decisions. This year, the fencers will have to contend with perennially tough Penn and Columbia before they can entertain hopes of moving into the first division.