For the past month – six games in basketball-time – the University of Maine men have played without two starters who were injured in an automobile accident on Thanksgiving weekend.

On Sunday, juniors Derrick Jackson and Clayton Brown will likely make their returns, coach John Giannini said on Friday.

The Black Bears will face Brown University at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Alfond Arena. The event is being promoted as “Stuff The Alfond,” and all tickets are $5.

“Derrick is a little bit closer to 100 percent, but Clayton has been able to practice and do enough to get into the game,” Giannini said.

Jackson tore the deltoid muscle in his right shoulder in the crash, while Brown fractured his right (shooting) wrist. Earlier in the week, Brown wasn’t expected to play, but since having the cast removed eight days ago, he has improved significantly, Giannini said.

“I imagine that the first few days after getting a cast removed is very difficult,” Giannini said. “He’s just got a little bit more strength and flexibility each day. He just has soreness. And obviously his physical condition is not very good, and that’s something that needs to improve.”

Brown was expected to miss two to four weeks, while Brown was expected to return in mid-January.

Brown, a 6-foot-7 forward, was UMaine’s leading scorer at the time of his injury. He was scoring at a 14.8 ppg clip and grabbing 5.3 rebounds a contest. He was also connecting on 45.5 percent of his 3-point attempts.

Jackson, a 6-2 guard, is the Bears’ defensive stopper and has guarded opponents’ leading perimeter threats for the past three years. He was averaging 4.8 ppg and 3.5 rpg per game.

Giannini said he’d like to bring both off the bench, but a Thursday injury sustained by Freddy Petkus – who has filled in ably in Jackson’s stead – may change that.

“I’d prefer to bring [Jackson and Brown] off the bench right now, but Freddy sprained his ankle and didn’t practice yesterday or today,” Giannini said.

“If Freddy can’t play then Derrick would probably start,” Giannini said.