Smith probable for Eagles' season opener

Injured junior forward Craig Smith appears probable, while the status of suspended senior guard Jermaine Watson remains uncertain for Boston College's basketball season opener against the University of Maine tonight at 7:30 at Conte Forum, according to a school official.

After suffering a torn ligament in his left thumb while dunking in a scrimmage against Ohio University two weeks ago, Smith aggravated the injury last Sunday in an exhibition victory over Carleton University.

Smith, however, was limited in practice yesterday as he recovered from the lingering effects of an illness that resulted in an upset stomach and high fever.

Watson, meanwhile, sat out BC's only exhibition game while serving an indefinite suspension for an unspecified violation of team rules. Watson's status is expected to be determined by game time, said Dick Kelley, BC's basketball spokesman.

The Eagles, who return four starters from last year's 24-10 squad, will likely rely upon sophomore forward Jared Dudley, who led BC with 26 points against Carleton. The Black Bears return four starters from last year's 20-10 squad that finished runner-up to Vermont in the America East Conference tournament.

Maine will be led by 6-foot-2-inch junior guard Kevin Reed, who averaged 14.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 2.3 steals last season.

Reed will be joined in the backcourt by UNLV transfer Ernest Turner.

MICHAEL VEGA