MID-ATLANTIC

Strongest in the East, this conference is rich in first-rank returning players. ST. JOSEPH'S has plenty of depth, speed and rebounding. Coach Jack Ramsay's big and experienced front line is paced by 6-foot-5 Jack Egan, the league's most dangerous player. Center Vince Kempton, 6 feet 8, and Forward Frank Majewski will again start, while the backcourt may be filled by sophomores: Jim Lynam and high-scoring Billy Hoy. Letterman Guards Harry Booth and Paul Westhead are also in contention, as is soph Forward Tom Wynn. LASALLE'S wonderful pessimist, Dudey Moore, is the only coach in the conference who doesn't have at least three returning starters. But he does have 6-foot-5 Forward George Friedrich and a 6-foot-4 sophomore, Bill Raftery, who averaged more than 26 points on his freshman team. Other newcomers are tall Curt Fromal, Vince Berry, Ed Bowler and Guard Tony Abbott. Bob McAteer and Joe Carey are reserves who scored well last year, TEMPLE and Coach Harry Litwack have a serious contender despite the graduation of all-East Guard Bill Kennedy. Center Russ Gordon, who is only 6 feet 4½ but averaged nearly 13 rebounds last year, returns with starting Forwards Ed Devery and Earl Proctor. Speedy Guard Bruce Drysdale will have sophomore Gary Kasmer opposite him. The squad needs height to go with the good speed, shooting and the above-average depth supplied by reserves Bernie Ivens, John Koskinen, Mike Gold and four strong sophomores. GETTYSBURG was fourth last season without one experienced starter. Now Coach Bob Hulton has five of them. The scoring comes from two junior guards: Ron Warner, who led the league at 23.1, and Bob Parker, who averaged 16. Center Bill Fitzkee, Forwards George Burnett, Bill Hemsing and Bruce Simpson, and reserves George Roberts, John Fleming compose a squad of excellent shooters. A tough early schedule awaits RUTGERS. Coach Tony Kuolt's veteran first-stringers are led by speedy Guard Doug Patton and experienced front-liners Lee Ammerman, Karol Strelecki and Joe Osofsky, and Guard Al Ammerman, who have dependable reserve help in Sam Hellings, Fred Homer and sophs Vince Ciaglia and Don Peterson. Joe Steiner leads a two-deep forecourt at BUCKNELL that averages over 6 feet 4 and includes veterans Don Lampus, Dave Evans, Bruce Babich and Mike Fadden. Guard Dick Kniffen, a service returnee, joins Coach Ben Kribbs, starter Kevin Cooney and experienced reserves Larry Roman and Mike Kasnick. LAFAYETTE can run with anybody, but a weak bench may slow them down. Coach George Davidson has two good forwards back in 6-foot-5 Chip Lundy and Morris Boyer. Guard Pete Pavia will be joined by either Bob Kauffman or Dan George, but Davidson needs a center. Sophomores Andy Cook, Mike McHale and Gene Denahan are leading reserves, LEHIGH has shooting, speed and experienced help for the nation's 12th-best scorer, jump shooter Norm Brandl, who averaged 24.8 last season. All of Brandl's starting mates are back, including Bob Happ, Ross Culligan, John Palfi and Ken Weaver. Coach Tony Packer has two new men, Jay Anglada and Bill Dosedlo, who may move one of the starters aside, MUHLENBERG has a new coach, Ken Moyer, and the same old problem—academic ineligibility. Center Dick Hunt and Guard Al Downing will sit it out this winter. On the brighter side, 26 points' worth of scoring is back in the persons of Ron Druckenmiller and George Gilfillan, while Chris Hiotis should add at least 10 more. Reserve Center Herb Loeffler is 6 feet 8, while Guards John Superka and Ron Hoffman, a sophomore, add depth. At DELAWARE three guards, Jack Baly, Tom Schonauer and John Barry, and two cornermen, Tom Adams and Bill Wagamon, have starting experience. But Coach Irv Wisniewski's ace in the hole is bright prospect Nate Cloud, a good 6-foot-5 sophomore center.

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ILLUSTRATION

PHOTO

TWO BIG REASONS why Coach Jack Ramsay is smiling about St. Joe's chances of retaining the title are 6-foot-8 Vince Kempton (50) and 6-foot-5 Jack Egan (44).