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Opening up the season this past weekend, the University of Maine men’s basketball team got off to a typical start.
After an overtime victory over Utah Valley University 71-66, the Black Bears were run out of the gym in College Park, succumbing to the University of Maryland 89-59. The loss to the Terrapins shouldn’t be taken too seriously, as the loss was expected against the national power.
The second weekend of the Black Bears’ regular season is similar to the first, with one game that should be a breeze against the University of Maine at Machias followed by a showdown with Big East powerhouse the University of Notre Dame.
Early in the season, the Black Bears have been led by senior Troy Barnies and his 16 points per game and sophomore guard Murphy Burnatowski’s 12 points per game. Burnatowski has excelled from behind the arc in the first two games, shooting 5-12 from deep, while designated deep threat and last year’s All-America East Second Team selection, junior guard Gerald McLemore has struggled from three, shooting just 1-15 from behind the arc.
The Black Bears have shot fairly well as a team this season, coming in at 42 percent.
The UMM Clippers have won all three games this season, with forward Zach Armstrong leading the way with 14 points per game. Armstrong is also shooting well from three, hitting seven of his 18 attempts.
The Fighting Irish are 2-0 on the season, with senior guard Ben Hansbrough scoring 19.5 points per game and fellow senior forward Tim Abromaitis chiming in with 11.5 points per game. Hansbrough and Abromaitis are the catalysts for the Black Bears, and a victory will require stopping at least one of these two Fighting Irish stars.
The matchup with the Clippers is scheduled to tip-off Friday at 7 p.m. in the Alfond Arena while the contest with Notre Dame takes place in South Bend on Monday at 7:30 p.m.
