by Bill Nichols

The Arena winter sports season kicks off in grand style tonight when the newly-born Cavaliers and new-look Barons co-host the most unique undertaking in sports -- a basketball-hockey doubleheader.

The Barons open proceedings at 5 p.m. when they take the ice against the Minnesota North Stars of the National Hockey League. Bill Fitch's Cavaliers make their first appearance ever at the Euclid Avenue ice house in the nightcap when they meet the awesome Milwaukee Bucks. Both games are exhibitions.

THE HOCKEY game marks the return of 1969 Barons' coach Jack Gordon, who now has the bench job for the North Stars.

Fitch, lured to professional coaching ranks from the relative security of the University of Minnesota, has spent the past month putting together what he hopes will be a strong representative for Cleveland, in its first year in the National Basketball Association.

Tonight's game with the Bucks featuring Lew Alcindor and Oscar Robertson, is the eight of 11 exhibitions for the Cavs before they open their regular season Oct. 14 at Buffalo.

The coach has come up with what could be the starting lineup when the play-for-play begins. The quintet of Walt Wesley (6-11) at center, forwards McCoy McLemore (6-7) and Bobby Smith (6-5), and guards John Warren (6-3) and John Egan (6-0) will start against Milwaukee. And unless performances indicate otherwise, this group will open the season.

FIRST AND second college draft choices, John Johnson of Iowa and Dave Sorenson of Ohio State, are being brought along gradually during the exhibition season. However, both will play tonight.

Wesley will perform primarily at the high post tonight, which will give the former Kansas star a better chance of combating the 7-2 frame of Alcindor.

Wesley will pass off to McLemore and Smith, who should do most of their shooting from the 15-20 foot range. Warren and Egan will share the playmaking duties.

Milwaukee, second place finisher last season in the NBA's Eastern Division, has been strengthened considerably with the acquisition of Robertson and forward Bob Boozer in trades with Cincinnati and Seattle, respectively.

Robertson, who reported to camp at 205 pounds, 20 under his playing weight of the past five years, has said often what a "pleasure" it will be playing with Alcindor, NBA rookie of the year last season.

OSCAR has never been on a championship team, something he's wanted even more than all his individual records during his brilliant 10-year career.

The "Big O" will team with Jon McGlocklin (6-5) at guard tonight. Boozer (6-7), Bob Dandridge (6-6) and Greg Smith (6-5) will share the forward assignments with Alcindor in the pivot.

Gary Freeman, 6-9 center from Oregon State, is the Bucks No. 1 college draft pick. He and veteran Dick Cunningham (6-10), from Canton, will alternate backing up Alcindor.

In the opener, the Barons will meet an angry crew of Minnesota North Stars.

And if the Stars need any incentive for this one, last Wednesday's 4-2 loss to their Cleveland farm club should more than provide it.

THE DAY after that game, Gordon skated his club for two hours. That's all they did -- skate. In the Stars' club meeting Friday, the Barons -- and today's game -- dominated the greater part.

"I assure you they don't want to lose two to their farm club," smiled Barons' General Manager John Muckler, obviously pleased with the result of the first contest.

"Our boys would love to beat them again," Muckler added. "These won't be two teams playing an intrasquad game. At stake will be prestige and demotion."

There are still some question marks Gordon is checking out and, if they don't pan out, they could end up in Cleveland this season.

The North Stars are rated as one of the top three teams in the West Division of the National Hockey League. In acquiring ex-Baron defenseman Ted Harris and winger Bobby Rosseau from Montreal, the North Stars shored up a vital weakness on defense and beefed up an otherwise potent attack.

ROSSEAU joins such shotmakers as Bill Goldsworthy, J.P. Parise, Tommy Williams and former rookie-of-the-year Danny Grant, a strong enough arsenal to keep Baron goalies Gary Kurt and Fern Rivard busy most of the game.

Joining Harris on defense will be potential superstar Barry Gibbs, Tom Reid, Lou Nanne (another ex-Baron) and Dick Redmond.

Sharing the goaltending duties for Minnesota have been Cesare Maniago, Lorne (Gump) Worsley and rookie sensation Gilles Gilbert.

The latter originally was slated for duty with the Barons this season, but has so impressed Gordon the he is being given a full shot at a starting job.