OLLI AHVENNIEMI

(No. 40)

Vital stats: Forward-center, freshman, 6-10; Vaasa, Finland

Career averages: first year

Career highlights: Finnish League 2002-03 Rookie of the Year; played in two National Team games and competed on Finland’s junior national team.

Coach’s comment: “He’s extremely coachable and he has the potential to help us this year, but his best days surely are in the future because of his work ethic and ability to improve.”

CHRIS BRUFF

(No. 31)

Vital stats: Guard, freshman, 6-3; West Hartford, Conn.

Career averages: first year

Career highlights: Hartford Courant Connecticut High School Player of the Year; led Northwest Catholic to third state title in four years; 2001-02 Class M Tournament MVP; scored 1,243 points in high school

Coach’s comment: “He’s used to dominating with his strength and athleticism, so he’ll have to get used to refining his skills, too. As he develops his shooting and perimeter defense, he’ll become a very good player for us.”

JOE CAMPBELL

(No. 32)

Vital stats: Guard-forward, junior, 6-7; Bangor

Career averages: 6.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.2 apg

Career highlights: Career-high 24 points against Wisconsin-Milwaukee; one double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds as a freshman; AE Rookie of the Week in January 2002

Coach’s comment: “Joe is a perfect fit for our style of play. He makes us a better shooting and passing team, he’s an experienced player, and he’s also worked hard to become a stronger player and better rebounder. He’ll play an important role on this team.”

ERIC DOBSON

(No. 12)

Vital stats: Guard, senior, 6-3; Immokalee, Fla.

Career averages: 9.0 ppg, 4.9 apg, 3.6 rpg, 1.7 spg

Career highlights: Led America East with 146 assists and 2nd with 52 steals; career-high 22 points while leading Maine in points, rebounds, assists, and steals vs. Georgia Southern last November

Coach’s comment: “I think he’s a much better player than he was last year, and he was good then. He’s developed a good understanding of the point guard position and he’s also more confident and experienced.”

DAVID DUBOIS

(No. 23)

Vital stats: Forward, junior, 6-9; St.-Gabriel, Quebec

Career averages: 2.0 ppg, 1.4 rpg

Career highlights: Started three games and played in 16; notched first double-double with 15 rebounds and 13 points against UMaine-Fort Kent last November

Coach’s comment: “He gives us the most quickness defensively and is our best offensive rebounder among the post players. I’m anxious to see how he responds to getting a lot of repetitions in practice and consistent opportunities in games.”

MARK FLAVIN

(No. 20)

Vital stats: Forward, senior, 6-10; Weymouth, Mass.

Career averages: 2.1 ppg, 1.1 rpg

Career highlights: Tied career high for points with seven and had career-high four rebounds against Husson last December; played in seven games last year

Coach’s comment: “This is a great opportunity for him. He’s our biggest player and best low post scorer. We’re really looking for him to improve his defensive rebounding. He’s definitely going to have an opportunity to be a big part of this team.”

LUDMIL “UDO” HADJISOTIROV

(No. 13)

Vital stats: Guard, senior, 6-2; Sofia, Bulgaria

Career averages: 6.1 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 1.7 apg

Career highlights: Career-high 15 points and five assists vs. Lipscomb last December; McDonald’s All-American nominee, World Championships all-tourney honors; International Sofia Tournament MVP and Slam Dunk Champ; National Prep School Invitational All-Tournament selection

Coach’s comment: “He had an injury-plagued year and really didn’t have a chance to play up to his full potential. He’s a very complete player who will be a very good guard in the conference.”

JERMAINE JACKSON

(No. 22)

Vital stats: Guard, junior, 6-4; Pahokee, Fla.

Career averages: first year

Career highlights: Pahokee High School team MVP as a senior

Coach’s comment: “I think he’ll be exciting for people to watch. He’s the type of player you can let go offensively a little bit because his skill and aggressiveness are what make him good. Most of the time he’ll be productive, but you have to live with an occasional off night because you don’t want to take away from his aggressiveness.”

CHRIS MARKWOOD

(No. 43)

Vital stats: Guard, junior, 6-4; South Portland

Career averages: 0.4 ppg, 0.3 rpg (Notre Dame)

Career highlights: 2000 Maine Gatorade Player of the Year; NEWS All-Maine first teamer; spent 21/2 seasons at Notre Dame and made dean’s list in fall of 2000.

Coach’s comment: “Chris will have a big impact on our team. He adds to our perimeter strengths and he’s a very complete guard. He’s our most physical guard among a very physical group. He’s very complete. He rebounds, plays defense, and he’s a good passer and shooter.”

FREDDY PETKUS

(No. 14)

Vital stats: Guard, junior, 6-7; Plunge, Lithuania

Career averages: 4.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg

Career highlights: 37.7 percent from 3-point range; career-high 13 points vs. Tulane in November; Lithuanian Summer League MVP in 2001

Coach’s comment: “Freddy and Joe [Campbell] will share the high post position and be versatile enough to move to the wings at times. He’s very experienced and a very good shooter who will make us a more skilled team.”

KEVIN REED

(No. 21)

Vital stats: Guard, sophomore, 6-1; Yarmouth, Mass.

Career averages: 12.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.4 spg

Career highlights: America East All-Conference Rookie; led conference in 3-point shooting while finishing 10th in steals and 12th in defensive rebounds; AE co-rookie of the week Feb. 10; career-high 30 points vs. UMFK in November; only UMaine player to start all 30 games.

Coach’s comment: “He had a very good freshman year and I think he’s much better this year. He’s a better defender and I think his ballhandling is better. He’s also not as reliant on his 3-point shot. He adds to our team strength in terms of shooting, quickness and passing.”

JON WALLINGFORD

(No. 10)

Vital stats: Guard, senior, 5-10; Auburn

Career averages: 0.3 ppg

Career highlights: Scored his first collegiate points on a jumper in the final minute of a win over Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne

Coach’s comment: “Jon is everything we could have hoped for in a walk-on. He’s very competitive in practice and helps us prepare. As a senior, he’s developed to the point where he can legitimately help us in games and make us a deeper team.”