Men’s basketball

Maine Invitational Tournament

MAINE VS. U-NEW ENGLAND

Time, site: Friday, 6 p.m., Memorial Gym, Orono

Records: Maine 1-1; University of New England 0-3

Series, last meeting: first meeting

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Kevin Reed (13.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.5 spg), 6-3 G Eric Dobson (8.5 ppg, 5.5 apg), 6-7 G-F Joe Campbell (10.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.0 spg), 6-9 F David Dubois (9.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg), 6-7 G Freddy Petkus (2.0 rpg), 6-10 F Mark Flavin (4.5 rpg); UNE – 6-3 F Brandon Berthiaume (10.0 ppg, 3.0 apg), 6-1 G Matt McManus (7.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.0 apg), 6-4 F Mike Pierce (9.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg), 6-6 C Tom Button (4.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg), Mark Oliver (5.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg)

Outlook: The University of New England is led by former University of Southern Maine coach David Labbe, who is now in his fifth season as the Nor’easters head coach. This marks the first-ever meeting between the two in-state schools. The last time the University of Maine played a game at The Pit, the Bears defeated Vermont 76-60 in January of 1992. The injury-riddled Bears will look to tread water and rely on a smaller rotation until guard Ludmil Hadjisotirov returns from an injury and Notre Dame transfer Chris Markwood is eligible for play Dec. 20.

BROWN VS. UMAINE-FORT KENT

Time, site: Friday, 8 p.m., Memorial Gym, Orono

Records: Brown 1-2, UMFK 2-6

Series, last meeting: first meeting

Key players: Brown – 6-6 F Sam Manhanga (12.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg), 6-5 F Jaime Kilburn (7.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg), 6-7 G Luke Ruscoe (8.0 pppg, 5.0 rpg), 6-1 G Jason Forte (9.3 ppg, 6.5 apg, 3.7 rpg), 6-7 G-F Patrick Powers (8.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg); UM-Fort Kent – C Bartas Samaitas (16.0 ppg, 9.5 rpg), C Billy Russo (11.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg), F Roy Goldstein (8.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg), G Mario Goehring (8.5 ppg, 2.5 apg)

Outlook:The UMFK Bengals have a tall order to fill against the Brown Bears as the Ivy League school’s starting lineup averages just over 6 feet, 5 inches per player. Both teams are struggling early, Brown is coming off a win over Wagner and has played a tough schedule, opening the season against Top-20 pick Texas, and then Rider. Brown finished second in the Ivy League last season and participated in the NIT postseason tourney. The Bears graduated two of the school’s top three men’s career scorers, but have three returning starters. This is the second straight year the Bengals have played in the Invitational. The Bengals return just three players from last season’s squad due to graduation and eligibility issues.