Dead River Co. Tipoff Classic

MAINE vs. COLUMBIA

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

Records: Maine 2-2; Columbia 1-1

Series: Maine leads 1-0

Key players: Maine – 5-9 G Cindy Blodgett (17.3 ppg, 4.5 apg), 6-4 C Stacey Porrini (14.3 ppg, 13.3 rpg), 5-11 F Catherine Gallant (11.0, 5.5 rpg), 5-9 G/F Trisha Ripton (8.0 ppg), 5-7 G Stacia Rustad (5.0 ppg), 5-9 G Sandi Carver (4.3 ppg); Columbia – 5-6 G Rose Jackson (7.5 ppg), 5-9 G Courtney Allshouse (5.0 ppg), 6-0 C Danika Smith (3.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg), 5-10 F Jen Holub (3.0 ppg), 5-7 G Nicole Nicusanti (2.5 ppg), 5-11 F Renee Jackson (6.5 ppg).

Outlook: The Black Bears open against the youthful Lions, who were 0-26 in an injury-plagued 1994-95 season that ended with eight available players on the roster. Maine has been powered offensively by Porrini, who has been superb in the middle. Columbia, which has 10 freshmen on the roster, has spread out its scoring. North Atlantic Conference member Hartford beat the Lions 74-47 Monday night. Maine needs to cut down on its turnovers (23.5 per game), improve its 58-percent foul shooting, and tighten up its defense.

VILLANOVA vs. BRIGHAM YOUNG

Time, site: Friday, 5 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Villanova 0-0; Brigham Young 1-1

Key players: Villanova – 5-10 G/F Denise Dillon (12.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg last season), 5-3 G Sue Glenning (9.7 ppg, 2.9 apg), 6-0 F Jen Snell (6.2 ppg), 5-4 G Stacie Keffer (4.8 ppg), 5-10 G/F Jenny Higgins (3.6 ppg), 6-4 C Priscilla Rosenthal (2.0 ppg, 1.6 bpg); BYU – 5-11 F Kim Anderson (13.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg), 5-11 G Behka Stafford (12.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 6-1 G Shannon MacCormac (10.5 ppg), 5-4 G Cindy Pierce (7.5 ppg, 4.5 apg), 6-2 C Sheri Quinton (7.5 ppg), 5-7 G Kimberly Morris (4.5 ppg).

Outlook: The Wildcats, tabbed for a third-place finish in the Big East’s 6 Division, have good senior leadership and a legitimate 3-point threat in Glenning. Dillon was a preseason All-Big East pick. Villanova did an exceptional job of protecting the ball a year ago, averaging only 12.5 turnovers. The Cougars, picked to finish fifth in the WAC, appear to enjoy shooting 3-pointers, having gone 16-for-35 from long range so far. BYU has plenty of depth, but has averaged 30.5 turnovers in two outings.