MAINE vs. UBBC HERZOGENBURG

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

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (20.0 ppg, 10.2 rpg), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (8.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.9 apg), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (11.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.1 spg), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (6.3 ppg, 4.5 apg, 1.8 spg), 6-0 F Monica Peterson (7.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg), 5-7 G Missy Traversi (6.5 ppg, 2.2 apg); Austria – 5-5 G Sheryl Klick, 5-10 F/C Irene Minarz, 6-1 C Gabriella Szoke, 6-1 F Gabriella Szoke, 5-8 G/F Martina Riel

Outlook: The Black Bears get their first look at an outside opponent, a ballclub from the Austria Women’s Basketball League. Coach Sharon Versyp wants to experiment with personnel combinations and utilize a variety of offensive and defensive looks. UMaine’s depth should be evident. Herzogenburg is a club team that finished third last season in the AWBL. The Austrian roster ranges in age from 14 to 35. Szoke, a Romanian, is the eldest at 35, while Inga Orekhova is the youngest at 14. The Bears should benefit from playing against a fast-paced, perimeter-oriented European style where all players are agile and can shoot.