Maine vs. Delaware State

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

Records: Maine 0-3, Delaware State 1-0

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 3-0; UM won 74-65 on Dec. 23, 2000

Key players: Maine – 6-7 F Clayton Brown (15.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg), 7-0 C Justin Rowe (14.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 4.3 bpg), 6-3 G Errick Greene (15.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg), 6-2 G Derrick Jackson (5.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg), 6-4 F Rickey White (2.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg); Delaware State – 6-5 F Andre Matthews (19.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg), 6-2 G Marty Bailey (18.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg), 6-7 F Antuwan Dent (17.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 5-5 G Miles Davis (6.0 ppg, 4.0 apg), 6-6 F Sergey Stephanekov (3.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg)

Outlook: The Black Bears make their home debut after starting a season with three losses for the first time since 1985. The Hornets forced America East’s Hartford to commit 23 turnovers in their opener, and the Bears have also had trouble taking care of the ball in their three games. Brown is a chief culprit: He has shown flashes of brilliance on the offensive end, but has also turned the ball over 5.7 times per contest. Rowe has quickly emerged as a force down low and has connected on 19 of 27 field goal attempts (70.3 percent) from the floor. If reserves Freddy Petkus or Todd Tibbetts can provide a perimeter threat, the middle will open up for Brown and Rowe. If not, the streaky Jackson will have to improve: he’s shooting just .250 from the floor and is a much bigger threat when he’s driving past defenders than he is launching 3-pointers.