Men’s basketball

MAINE vs. CLEMSON

Time, site: Saturday, 4 p.m., at Clemson, S.C.

Records: Maine 1-4; Clemson 3-0

Series, last meeting: first ever meeting

Key players: Maine -7-0 C Justin Rowe (season debut), 6-2 G Eric Dobson (13 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.1 apg, 2.2 spg), 6-1 G Kevin Reed (12.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg), 6-7 F Clayton Brown (12 ppg, 8 rpg), 6-5 F Joe Campbell (12 ppg, 5.3 rpg), 6-4 F Rickey White (season debut); Clemson – 6-0 G Edward Scott (19.3 ppg, 7.7 apg), 6-9 F Sharrod Ford (12.7 ppg, 9.3), 6-4 G Chey Christie (11.7 ppg, 2.7 apg), 6-7 F Chris Hobbs (10.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg), 6-8 F/C Ray Henderson (8.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg)

Outlook: The Black Bears are back at full strength with the return of Rowe and White, who missed five games each for committing secondary violations of NCAA rules involving the purchase of textbooks. However, UMaine faces a tremendous challenge in taking on the Tigers of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Bears could have their hands full against a strong Clemson frontcourt of Ford, Hobbs and Henderson. The Tigers are coming off Tuesday’s 79-70 win over Penn State, while the Bears try to snap a four-game losing streak, including last Sunday’s 79-63 loss to Wisconsin-Milwaukee. While UMaine should be better on the boards with Rowe and White back, the Bears will have to turn in an outstanding defensive effort against the Tigers, who are averaging 83 ppg.