MAINE at PROVIDENCE

Time, site: 7:30 p.m., Dunkin’ Donuts Center, Providence, R.I.

Records: Maine 4-3, Providence 5-4

Series, last meeting: Providence leads 6-1, Maine 80-71 11/21/00.

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Kevin Reed (11.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg), 6-2 G Ernest Turner (12.7 ppg, 3.1 apg, 3.1 rpg), 6-3 G Chris Markwood (8.9 ppg, 4.1 apg), 2.0 rpg), 6-7 G-F Joe Campbell (7.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg), 6-9 F David Dubois (7.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg), 6-4 G-F Jermaine Jackson (7.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg); Providence – 6-7 F Ryan Gomes (18.8 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 3.3 apg), 6-5 G Dwight Brewington (15.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg), 6-9 F Tuukka Kotti (11.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg), 6-4 G Donnie McGrath (5.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg), 6-10 C Randall Hanke (5.0 ppg, 2.2 rpg), 6-4 G Gerald Brown (8.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg)

Outlook: Both teams are coming off 10-day layoffs for finals and both will be getting on planes two days later for another game before Christmas break. This is the stretch run of a brutal portion of Maine’s schedule in which it plays two of nine at home with one of those home games having been two hours south of Orono in Portland. The Friars were a late addition to the schedule and shape up as one of the toughest foes on Maine’s schedule with NBA prospect and preseason Big East player of the year pick Gomes. Maine must limit turnovers and at least hold its own on the boards against a sizeable Friars squad to win.