"If we do win it this year," Cleary said. "Bush won't get a vote in the next election. We're not going to wait another eight years."

If the theory holds this year, then the prospect of having Vice President Dan Quayle assume the office of the presidency within the next four years might be what Harvard wants. For Harvard, the state of the Beanpot supercedes the state of the nation.

The Garden theory: Do you actually think that the venerable arena of the Celtics and the Bruins would allow Harvard to enter the building if it didn't think the Crimson would ever win another 'Pot?

Check the banners in the rafters. Teams win at the Garden. If everyone in Boston thought that Harvard would lose every first-round Beanpot game for the next 30 years, the Crimson would have been shipped off to Fenway Park a long time ago.

The Cleary theory: Could anyone want to win the 'Pot more than Harvard Coach Bill Cleary, one of the tournament's legendary players?

Cleary holds six 'Pot records, including most goals in a period (four) and most points in the tournament (11). The Harvard coach set all his records in the 1955 Beanpot, which Harvard won.

It's been 24 years since Cleary led the Crimson to a Beanpot championship. After Cleary's memorable performance at the Garden, Harvard has won the 'Pot six times.

But everyone talks about the seven-year drought. And Cleary wants Boston to stop talking.

A 'Pot, a 'Pot, my kingdom for a 'Pot.

This writer has analyzed the situation and will stick to his prediction even if he does prefer the Northeastern uniforms to the Crimson's.

By the way, Wyoming will win the NCAA title. But that's another story.