MAINE vs. CONNECTICUT DIAMONDS

Time, site: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine (1-0 exhib.), Connecticut Diamonds (1-3)

Key players: Maine – 5-10 G John Gordon (13.2 ppg, .419 3-pt. percentage), 6-5 G Ramone Jones (9.0 ppg, 1.5 spg), 6-6 F Allen Ledbetter (8.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg), 6-5 F Terry Hunt (12.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg in ’94-95); Connecticut Diamonds – 6-4 G Phil Lott, 6-11 C Leron “Pete” Gittens, 6-7 F Gary Lancaster, 6-4 G Oliver Macklin.

Outlook: The Black Bears showed little offensive punch in a deliberate 39-38 win over Dalhousie in their first exhibition, but did show guts down the stretch, holding their opponent to just eight second-half points. They face a Diamonds squad that should provide a tougher test based on their 74-62 win over Fairfield, a preason favorite in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The Diamonds have lost games against Hartford, Yale and Dartmouth.