Men’s basketball

MAINE vs. TROY STATE Time, site: 7 p.m. Saturday, Troy, Ala. Records: Maine 1-1, Troy State 0-1 Series, last meeting: Maine leads 2-0, UM won 81-80 on Dec. 6, 1999 Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Huggy Dye (17.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg), 6-10 F Julian Dunkley (16.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg), 6-6 F Carvell Ammons (6.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg), 6-3 G Errick Greene (8.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg), 6-2 G Derrick Jackson (3.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg); Troy State – 6-8 F Lemayn Wilson 12.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 6-1 G Robert Rushing (3.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg), 6-4 G/F Matt Holman (9.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg), 6-8 F Jacova Jenkins (9.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg), 6-7 F Rob Lewin (15.0 ppg, 12.0 rpg)

Outlook: The tendency would be for Black Bear fans to expect an easier game against the Trojans of the Trans America Athletic Conference than they faced in upsetting Providence of the Big East earlier in the week. UMaine can’t afford to think like that. The Trojans were 17-11 last year, were first in their league, and nearly beat the Black Bears in Orono. Maine needs another dominant defensive effort by Ammons, who helped slow Providence star Erron Maxey on Tuesday. Dye and Dunkley have played well offensively through two games, but a bit more scoring from Jackson, Greene or Ammons would make UMaine that much more dangerous.