M. Cagers Face UNH In First Home Game

Poor Gerry Friel.

The New Hampshire men's basketball coach has not had it easy during the 19 years he has been at the Wildcats' helm.

With 313 losses and only 185 wins, Friel is currently the losingest active Division I coach with more than 10 years of experience. Last year, his team finished with a 3-24 mark.

But when you've been around for 19 years, you can sometimes reach into your bag of tricks and pull out a rabbit or two. And Friel did just that in the ECAC-North Atlantic Conference playoffs last year with a stunning upset over top-seeded Siena College.

So, when Friel brings his Wildcats into Briggs Athletic Center for Harvard's home opener tonight (7:30 p.m., WHRB 95.3), the Crimson knows it can't expect an easy win.

"It's a dangerous game," Harvard Coach Pete Roby said. "Their trials and tribulations have been well-documented. But you still have to win the game."

Last year the Crimson took home a close 74-71 decision from Lundholm Gymnasium in Durham, N.H. Senior Kevin Collins netted 20 points that afternoon to lead the cagers, but he won't be back tonight, and neither will several other key Harvard players from last season.

"Last year, we had a tremendous effort from Kevin Collins, who isn't back for us yet," Roby said. "They've got their whole team back plus some, and we're missing some of our key players."

The Wildcats are led by senior guard Derek Counts, who averaged 14.6 points per game last season. Counts had to provide much of UNH's scoring last year, but it seems he will have more help this season.

Junior forward Eric Thielen looks ready to come into his own after scoring 17 points and grabbing 16 rebounds in the Wildcats' 83-78 overtime loss to Brown this weekend.

Friel will also rely on a pair of freshmen to contribute to the attack--guard Jeff Carr and forward Joe Spitale. The two newcomers each had 12 points in the loss to the Bruins.

"They've got a talented group of freshmen which they recruited this year," Roby said. "We have our work cut out for us. We're going to have to play well to beat UNH."

Solid

Harvard is coming off a solid performance Saturday against Boston College. The Crimson had a seven-point halftime lead, but tired in the second half against the Eagles and fell short, 70-54.

Co-Captain Mike Gielen, center Fred Schernecker and freshman forward Ron Mitchell paced Harvard with 12 points apiece. The Crimson did a good defensive job against the talented B.C. squad in the first half.

Look for Harvard to use its pressure defense early on in tonight's game.

"I think we'll be putting more pressure on them than we did against B.C.," Roby said. "B.C. had better athletes, so hopefully we'll be able to get more out of the press with UNH."

With its press, the Crimson will force UNH to take a lot of early shots. One thing Harvard needs to do is grab a lot of defensive rebounds and keep the Wildcats from getting second chances.