Black Bears hope to deliver on promise Veteran contingent back for new head coach

ORONO – The 2004-05 basketball season is another one of promise for the University of Maine Black Bears.

It’s easy to understand the optimism surrounding a program coming off the second 20-win season in its history, but that’s usually tempered at least somewhat by a coaching change. That’s not the case in Orono, however.

The transition from Dr. John Giannini, who left after eight seasons to become head coach at LaSalle University, to Ted Woodward has essentially been seamless. Even though it occurred two months before the start of preseason, the switch has been smooth thanks to Woodward’s familiarity with the system as Giannini’s primary assistant coach the last eight seasons.

“This is my second year playing with these guys and it’s been pretty smooth sailing, other than getting a new coach … but even with that, he’s someone who’s been with us awhile,” said tri-captain Chris Markwood, a double major in sociology and business management.

Markwood, a South Portland High School star who transferred to UMaine from Notre Dame after his sophomore year, is a primary ingredient in what the Bears hope is a recipe for winning their first America East conference title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

“Last year he got his feet wet with us,” said Woodward. “He’s waited for this opportunity, which I think he will grasp. I think he could have a tremendous year for us.”

The senior, widely considered Maine’s best defensive player, will take over the point guard position from graduated tri-captain Eric Dobson, one of AE’s leading assist men the last two seasons.

“I’ve handled the ball basically all my life so it’s not something that’s new to me,” Markwood said. “I like handling the ball and distributing it. I’ve always had a knack for it.”

Markwood (5.9 ppg, 2.5 apg) is part of a starting lineup featuring plenty of experience and maturity. He’ll likely team with junior Ernest Turner, another transfer guard who came from the University of Las Vegas-Nevada; junior guard Kevin Reed; senior guard-forward and tri-captain Joe Campbell of Bangor; and senior forward Mark Flavin.

Flavin was an AE second-team all-star last season after averaging 11.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. Reed was also an AE second-teamer and the leading rebounder in the country among players 6-foot-2 and under with 7.2 per game. He also led Maine in scoring with 14.5 points and 2.3 steals per game. Campbell averaged 8.0 points and 6.1 rebounds while alternating between guard and forward. Turner, who is a solid defender, is also expected to provide scoring punch.

Only Turner is new to the starting five as the Bears return nine players with varsity playing experience including senior swingman Jermaine Jackson, who was making a run at a spot in the starting lineup last year before his season was cut short one game in by a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Jackson’s versatility and explosive scoring ability significantly improve an already deep bench that includes 6-11 senior forward David Dubois, who has shown he can adequately spell Flavin when he’s in foul trouble or in need of rest. Freddy Petkus is slated to come off the bench again, but is invaluable in the role he fills on this team.

“He’s the best passer on our team period. He makes his teammates better and he’s extremely smart and versatile,” Woodward said of his 6-7 guard, who was voted the other tri-captain by his teammates. “He does something positive on the court every time.”

Petkus, who is bothered by back pain caused by disc problems, could miss this season as a medical redshirt, but that is still to be determined by his doctors and him.

Even if Petkus is lost for the season, he will still be a factor from the bench in terms of leadership, and his void on the court could be filled by sophomore guard Chris Bruff, who added 10 pounds during the offseason without sacrificing his quickness. Bruff, who has shown adept passing skills, could become a factor for the Bears this season, as could sophomore center Olli Ahvenniemi, a 241-pound, 6-10 shot blocker who may become a big presence for Maine in the pivot.

“I’m really excited for this year because we have our core team back from last year,” said Campbell. “I think especially the seniors have learned from the last two years what it takes to get to the championship game. We all want to make history and we know it’s not easy.”

Maine’s record was 2-6 against the top five teams in the conference last year and 1-1 in the playoffs. Woodward and his players all know that mark must be drastically improved if the Bears are to contend for the AE championship.

This year, Maine was ranked third in the preseason AE poll behind first-place and two-time defending champ Vermont (2-1 vs. Maine last year) and No. 2 Boston University, which has won nine straight against the Black Bears.

“I think we got put in the spot where we should be,” said Markwood. “Until someone knocks them off, that’s where they should be. That’s the biggest step this year is winning games like that.”

Maine opens Friday in Boston against Big East member Boston College at Conte Forum at 7:30 p.m.