Men’s basketball

PRESEASON NIT

Maine vs. Arkansas

Time, site: 9 p.m., Bud Walton Arena, Fayettesville, Ark.

Records: Maine 0-0, Arkansas 0-0

Series, last meeting: First meeting

Key players: Maine – 6-3 G Errick Greene (10.6 ppg in 2000-2001, 4.9 rpg), 6-2 G Derrick Jackson (6.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg), 6-4 F Rickey White (2.8 ppg, 1.2 rpg), 6-7 F Clayton Brown (3.2 ppg, 1.4 rpg), 7-0 C Justin Rowe (sat out last season); Arkansas – 6-1 G Jannero Pargo (12.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg), 6-1 G Brandon Dean (8.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg), 6-4 F Teddy Gipson (7.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg), 6-1 G T.J. Cleveland (7.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg), 6-7 F Alonzo Lane 7.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg)

Outlook: The good news: The Black Bears earned an invitation to play in this high-profile tourney. The bad news: The Bears have lost three guards (Tory Cavalieri, Huggy Dye, Ricky Green) over the off-season, including two in the past month. More bad news: The Razorbacks gnaw up opposing backcourts with their swarming “40 Minutes of Hell” fullcourt press. If Rowe can avoid early foul trouble, he could be troublesome for Arkansas to match up with. Freddy Petkus and Todd Tibbetts must come off the bench and hit open shots, because the Black Bear starting five is devoid of a real perimeter threat.