ORONO, Maine – With the preseason wrapped up, the Maine men's basketball team is set to open the regular season against ACC-foe Boston College on Friday night at the Conte Forum. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcasted on ACC Network Extra, while Ron Lisnet will have the call on WCYR 1400 AM.
   
Last Sunday, Maine completed its second exhibition game, as the Black Bears defeated Saint Joseph's College of Maine at Memorial Gym. Sophomore Andrew Fleming led the Black Bears in points (17), rebounds (11), and assists (5), in a double-double performance against the Monks. In two preseason games, Fleming is averaging 15 ppg., 8 rpg., along with nine total assists.
 
Back from injury-shorten seasons are Aaron Calixte and Ilker Er, who are expected to be major contributors this season. Dusan Majstorovic is also set to make an impact after sitting out 2016-17 due to NCAA transfer rules. Incoming transfers Celio Araujo, Trae Bryant, Vernon Lowndes Jr., and Isaiah White are set to make their debuts in the Black Bear uniform.
 
Boston College enters the 2017-18 after finishing 9-23, 2-16 ACC record last season. The Eagles are led by a strong backcourt offensively, with Jerome Robinson and Ky Bowman both returning. The duo combined to average 33 points per game last season.
 
Maine looks to win its first game against the Eagles since the 2009-10 season, when the Black Bears downed the Eagles, 52-51 at the Conte Forum. BC has won the last two meetings since. The Black Beas will also seek its first win in a season-opening game since 2011-12 when Maine defeated the University of Maine at Machias, 113-49.
 
Friday night's opener against Boston College preludes Maine football's game against UMass at Fenway Park in Beantown on Saturday afternoon. Following the game against the Eagles, Maine will travel to Lubbock, Texas to take on Texas Tech on Tuesday night. Game time is set for 8:00 p.m. eastern time against the Red Raiders.
 
-UMaine-