"We can get around the less-than-ideal court at the IAB, and we can overcome the recruiting restrictions and freshman rule," he says. "But we've got to show there is support for the sport. When we open on November 30, we all go on the line: players, coaches, and the rest of the University."

To help him transform the program, McLaughlin brought in a new staff. Terry O'Connor will assist him with the varsity, and former Notre Dame star Ray Martin will run the freshman team.

O'Connor comes off a successful five-year coaching career at Cayuga County Community College in Auburn, N.Y. The new position marks a breakthrough for O'Connor into the ranks of major college coaching:

"We came in with our eyes open," says O'Connor, "and we just want to get as competitive as possible as soon as possible. But we have to remember that this school is still mainly an academic institution and it's just as important to make sure all the players graduate, because that's what they're here for."

O'Connor recognizes the drawbacks inherent in the Harvard program but feels the basketball team can be a very competitive one and, at the very least, make a strong bid for the Ivy Title.

Martin, as the freshman coach, is preparing his players for their varsity years with McLaughlin, and he finds Harvard a fascinating institution.

"It's a super school," says the former Notre Dame captain. "Not just academically, but also schedule-wise. The Ivy League schedule is really a great one, with all the rivalries that it has."

For Martin, Harvard represents his first full-time coaching experience. His only experience as a coach before this was with New York City summer-league teams, but Martin is enthusiastic about his new role.

"It's a hard transition because sometimes I push a little too hard," he says. "I think back about how I could have done better if I had pushed a little harder at times, and I try to make my players do the same; but I have to remember that I'm the coach and not the player anymore. I just want to motivate my players day in and day out and get them to do their best."

The controversial freshman rule gives Martin a team to coach, since freshmen players cannot play varsity ball in the Ivy League. But Martin thinks the rule has some drawbacks.

"Basically it's a good rule, but if it stays it should be universal. Academically it makes sense," he explains. "but it turns away many talented players who do not want to spend their first year at college away from the varsity.

"I think of my freshman year, though, and it was a really hard transition coming into college and traveling with the team while trying to adjust to the school and do my work. In that sense, the rule is good, but if it is kept, everyone should follow it."

The freshman rule, along with Harvard's high academic standards, scare away many talented players who are not necessarily top students, and the combination of the two limits Harvard's ability to become a national contender. (Add the recruiting rules to that duo and one can see why Harvard does not make the National Top Twenty poles.) But McLaughlin sees Harvard's role as a very special one.

"Academically, the school is outstanding, and none of us want to change that. We just want to get the best athletes possible who can handle the work, and then our job is one of coaching them and helping them to play while still doing well in school."

To get the basketball team into a more exciting, competitive style of play, McLaughlin works with a "constant-motion" offense. By keeping the team from standing around, he hopes to create more action on the court and more excitement for the fans.