MAINE vs. VERMONT

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

Records: Maine 5-7 (0-0 America East), Vermont 5-6 (0-0)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 64-39, Maine won 61-59 (OT) on March 3, 2002

Key players: Maine – 7-0 C Justin Rowe (12.8 points per game, 10.8 rebounds, 5.0 blocks) , 6-1 G Kevin Reed (12.3 ppg), 6-4 F Rickey White (12.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg) , 6-2 G Eric Dobson (10.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg), 6-2 G Ludmil “Udo” Hadjisotirov, 6-6 G-F Joe Campbell (12.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg), 6-7 F Clayton Brown (9.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg) ; Vermont – 6-9 F Taylor Coppenrath (21.4 ppg), 6.6 rpg), 6-8 F Matt Sheftic (11.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg), 6-7 F Grant Anderson (9.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.8 apg), 6-5 G David Hehn (6.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.8 apg), 6-4 G Mike Goia (6.9 ppg), Scotty Jones (7.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg)

Outlook: Both teams open their America East schedule with a rematch of a tourney semifinal. The Catamounts are without 2002 conference player of the year T.J. Sorrentine, who broke both wrists in preseason and will be redshirted. Vermont will still be a tall challenge for the Bears with a big lineup and a solid frontcourt providing the bulk of the team’s scoring. A key matchup to watch should be Brown and White vs. Coppenrath as Maine must slow down Vermont’s leading scorer. Maine is not without size, but must utilize an advantage in quickness. Maine’s guard corps has been augmented by the arrival of Boston College transfer Hadjisotirov, who debuted 15 points and five assists in his debut.