Crimson fans know the last time Michigan State played Harvard. March 26, 1986 at Providence Civie Center for the NCAA Championship. The Spartans defeated the Crimson. 6-5.

The setting changes from Providence to Cambridge tonight and tomorrow at 7:30 p.m., as the Spartans visit Bright Center to face the Crimson in a two-game, total-goals NCAA first-round game.

Harvard Coach Bill Cleary wants to make sure the Spartans know where this series will be played.

"It's a big factor," Cleary said of the home ice advantage. "We want to pack that place. I hope the fans do come out in support."

The winner of a total-goal series is the team which scores the most goals over a 120-minute span. If the teams are tied at the end of the two games, a series of 10-minute, sudden-death overtimes will follow.

Minnesota (30-2-8), the West's number-two team, awaits the winner of the Harvard-Michigan State series next weekend in Minneapolis.

In 1983, Mason's Spartans played the Crimson in a two-game series at Bright. Harvard outscored Michigan State, 9-8, to advance to the Final Four. Mason knows about the rink Harvard calls home.

"Let's face it, we were there in '83," Mason said, "and we had a great team."

But not great enough to defeat the Crimson at Bright, where Harvard has posted a 5-0-1 record in NCAA Tournament games since 1983.

Michigan State (the West's number-five seed) and Harvard (the East's number-four seed) are two teams with successful NCAA pasts.

The Spartans are making their seventh straight tournament appearance and have participated in nine tournaments overall. Michigan State has also appeared in the last two title games, defeating Harvard in 1986 and losing to North Dakota in 1987. The Spartans' only other title came in 1966.

Harvard (21-9) is making its fourth straight tournament appearance. The Crimson has never won a national title, but has made the Final Four three times since 1983. Overall, Harvard has made the tournament 13 times.

This year, the Spartans are young. Mason will rely on the pads and glove of freshman Jason Muzzatti to stop Harvard's quick attack. In 27 games. Muzzatti has minded the net for a total of 1676 minutes and has compiled a 17-7-3 record. He has also recorded a 3.36 goals-against average and a .875 save percentage.

Offensively, junior Bobby Reynolds heads the Spartan attack. Reynolds' 40-22--62 scoring clip is one of the best in the nation. Junior Danton Cole (19-32--51) and freshman Shawn Heaphy (19-24--43) have given Reynolds some support.

"Our team has good team speed," Mason said. "We don't have the quickness of Harvard, but we'll play our game."