NCAA Tournament First Round

MAINE vs. No. 10 NORTH CAROLINA STATE

Time, site: Friday, 8:30 p.m.; Reynolds Coliseum, Raleigh, N.C.

Records: Maine 21-8, North Carolina State 21-6

Series: North Carolina State leads 2-0

Key players: Maine – 5-9 G Cindy Blodgett (27.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.4 apg), 6-4 C Jamie Cassidy (17.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg), 6-1 F Klara Danes (9.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg), 5-9 G Sandi Carver (8.2 ppg), 5-7 G Amy Vachon (6.6 ppg, 6.6 apg, 2.3 spg); North Carolina State – 6-3 F Chasity Melvin (16.4 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.7 apg), 5-10 G Tynesha Lewis (11.6 ppg), 5-10 F LySchale Jones (11.3 ppg), 6-6 C Summer Erb (7.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg), 5-11 G Kristen Gillespie (2.8 ppg, 2.5 apg)

Outlook: The Black Bears must contend with a formidable N.C. State frontcourt that is steeped in height and depth. Maine hopes it can close off the middle efficiently and hold its own in the rebounding action. The Bears, who exuded confidence during Thursday’s practice, want to take advantage of transition chances while achieving balance in their half-court attack. The Wolfpack has steady guards, but suspect outside shooting and only occasional success in the open court. N.C. State has the home-court advantage, but likely won’t attract crowds anything close to the 16,000-plus the Bears played in front of at Harford against Connecticut.