MAINE vs. NEW BRUNSWICK

Time, site: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 0-0; New Brunswick 3-1 (exhibition)

Series, last meeting: tied 5-5, 1985

Key players: Maine (2005-06 statistics) – 6-1 F Bracey Barker (13.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, .816 FT pct.), , 6-2 F Katie Whittier (8.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg, .623 FG pct.), 6-1 C Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa (.4.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg), 5-7 G Abby Greene (1st season), 5-10 G Amanda Tewksbury (1st season); UNB – 5-4 G Christy McBride (14 ppg), 5-6 G Leah Corby, 5-9 F Katie Springer, 6-0 F/C Kathleen Singh, 6-1 C Liz Mar

Outlook: Coach Ann McInerney’s Black Bears take on UNB in the first of two exhibition games in five days. UMaine, coming off a 10-19 season, welcomes back four senior starters in Barker, Ashley Underwood, Whittier, and Hugstad-Vaa. Underwood has been nursing an injury and won’t play tonight. The Bears hope to work point guard Greene and small forward Tewksbury into the rotation immediately. The Varsity Reds arrive from Fredericton with four preseason games under their belts. UNB went 26-14 last season, finishing fourth in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport National Championships. UNB has four starters back led by McBride, an all-conference, second-team shooting guard. UMaine must get Greene acclimated early, although Kris Younan has some experience at the point. The Bears will look for Maine natives Barker and Whittier to set the tone with their experience and leadership.