MAINE vs. PROVIDENCE

Time, site: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.; Providence Civic Center, Providence, R.I.

Records: Maine 0-1, Providence 1-0

Series/last meeting: Providence leads 6-0; PC won 79-72 on 11/30/99

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Huggy Dye (18.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg), 6-10 F Julian Dunkley (14.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg), 6-6 F Carvell Ammons (4.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg), 6-3 G Errick Greene 4.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg), 6-2 G Derrick Jackson (3.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg); Providence – 6-6 F Erron Maxey (16.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg), 7-2 C Karim Shabazz (5.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg), 6-2 G Shelku Kabba (8.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg), 6-3 G Abdul Mills 7.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 6-9 G/F Maris Laksa 2.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg)

Outlook: The Black Bears are looking for a solid effort after being drubbed by national power Illinois in their opener. Things get easier, but facing a Big East team in its own gym still presents the Black Bears a tough chore. UMaine must find a way to contend with Shabazz, who at 7-2 is the tallest player in PC history. Ammons must have a better outing against the Friars than he did while fouling out i a 17-minute stint against the Illini. Dye and Dunkley were the only Bears to score more than six points against Illinois. That duo are potent, but won’t be able to carry UMaine past the Friars by themselves.