Men’s basketball

MAINE vs. ROBERT MORRIS

Time, site: 7:30 p.m., Sewall Center, Moon Township, Pa.

Records: Maine (1-3), Robert Morris (1-2)

Series, last meeting: Robert Morris leads 2-0, RMU 81-62 Dec. 29, 1990

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Ernest Turner (20.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.3 apg), 6-1 G Jon Sheets (12.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.8 apg), 6-10 F-C Olli Ahvenniemi (6.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.5 bpg), 5-10 G Rashard Turner (6.8 ppg, 5.5 apg, 3.0 rpg), 6-4 G Chris Bruff (5.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg); Robert Morris – 6-6 F A.J. Jackson (16.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg), 6-5 G-F Cori Boston (12.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg), 6-0 G Tony Lee (12.5 ppg, 5.5 apg, 4.5 rpg), 6-3 G Jeremy Chappell (11.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg), 5-11 G Derek Coleman (8.7 ppg, 6.0 apg, 3.0 rpg)

Outlook: The Black Bears are coming off what’s arguably their toughest regular season game (Pittsburgh) just after their easiest (UM-Fort Kent), and may be more proud of the way they played in the loss to Pitt than the win over UMFK. This game could be the one in where the real Bears stand up. The common denominator is Pitt, which beat RMU 86-59 and beat Maine 62-49. The insertion of Bruff into the starting lineup paid off against Pitt and should continue to help as he has turned into a solid rebounding presence, something Maine will need against a tall Colonials lineup that’s averaging 35 rebounds per game. RMU is also averaging 15.6 turnovers per game while Maine is at 18.5. The Bears are producing inside and will likely need to continue that trend to beat the Colonials.