After dropping a chance for the Ivy League title in the home stretch last winter, Coach Julian this year has come up with a team which at this early writing appears to have the potential to go all the way. The Big Green has shown impressive, break-away speed and tight defense in winning over St. Anselm's, 82-66, Rhode Island, 87-69, Vermont, 75-50, and over a touring University of Houston team, 84-64, Williams, 81-46, Colby, 81-54, and Holy Cross, 69-64.
At the season's start Coach Julian faced major replacement problems with such stars as Ron Judson, Jim Francis, Gene Booth, Larry Blades and Tom Donahoe all graduated. Captain Dave Carruthers and Rudy LaRusso, both forwards, were the only first-team holdovers.
Replacements - and good ones at that - have been found! At center, junior Tom Aley has already demonstrated his versatility in the all-important pivot spot, teaming up nicely with Carruthers and LaRusso on the forward line.
In the back court, two sophomores have really come through, with Chuck Kaufman and Walt Sosnowski winning the starting nod from Julian. Sosnowski is not only good on defense, but is one of the sharpest shooting guards and playmakers the Big Green has seen. He is also a deft showman on the floor, pulling an occasional shot which has all the trademarks of Bob Cousy. Dave Gavitt, an experienced guard, played well against Houston and will be ready to go at any time. John Jones and Nick Procino, both holdovers from last year, along with sophomores Bob Cline and Tom McBurney, give the Indians depth aplenty at guard.
Up forward, behind the Carruthers-Aley-LaBusso unit, Coach Julian has a number of strong replacements. Sophomore Gary Vandeweghe came off the bench in the opening game to take top scoring honors from his forward post, while sophomore center Dave Farnsworth looks more impressive in each game. Stu Hansen, Hal Douglas and Ed Hobbie all saw action last year and are rated good prospects, as is sophomore forward Bryant Barnes.
Coach Julian is frank to admit that lineup changes may still be in the making and, that despite the record to date, the Dartmouth team is still a bit green. There is little doubt, though, that this is the fastest team Coach Julian has had in his nine years here, although it lacks the height of some recent squads. Improved speed and shooting should more than make up for the height, so if injuries don't crop up, Dartmouth will be in the thick of the Ivy League fight.
Rudy LaRusso, junior forward from Brooklyn, N.Y., about to sink a basket in the 84-64 win over Houston. He was high scorer for the night with 26 points.