Men’s basketball

Maine vs. Brown

Time, site: 1 p.m. Sunday, Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 2-8, Brown 6-2

Series, last meeting: Brown leads 5-3, Brown won 81-63 on Jan. 6, 2001

Key players: Maine – 6-3 G Errick Greene (20.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg), 7-0 C Justin Rowe (14.6 ppg, 9.0 rpg), 6-4 F Rickey White (8.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 6-2 G Derrick Jackson (4.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg), 6-7 F Clayton Brown (14.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg); Opponent – 6-4 G Earl Hunt (22.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg), 6-7 F Alai Nuualiitia (12.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg), 6-5 F James Kilburn (9.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 6-0 G Jason Forte (7.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg), 6-2 G Omari Ware (5.5 ppg, 1.4 rpg)

Outlook: Without Jackson and Brown, who were injured in a car accident on Thanksgiving weekend, the Bears have been running on empty. They return to the lineup for the Bears at an opportune time: The Brown Bears are a dangerous squad that has knocked off Providence, along with three America East teams. Hunt, a versatile junior, is on pace to become the leading Ivy League scorer of all time by the time he graduates. The return of Jackson and Brown will cut the minutes of Freddy Petkus and Joe Campbell, who have played well in their stead, but that will make the Bears a stronger, deeper unit. Greene has proven unstoppable for UMaine and is the top scorer in America East.