Maine’s collegiate basketball minds are Bullish on Chicago when it comes to this year’s NBA Finals.

A sampling of the state’s college coaches produced a 6-1 consensus that the two-time defending champion Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, will defeat the Phoenix Suns, led by Charles Barkley.

“The Bulls in six,” is how University of Maine men’s basketball coach Rudy Keeling picked the best-of-seven series, which opens Wednesday night in Phoenix.

“I don’t think anyone on the Suns can handle Michael or Scotty Pippen,” Keeling continued. “I think a lot of the series will come down to (Suns guard) Kevin Johnson and how he handles the Bulls pressure game after game.”

Dick Whitmore, veteran coach of the ECAC New England Division III-champion Colby men’s team, was short and to the point in his assessment of why Chicago will win.

“Michael Jordan,” Whitmore said.

A rare voice of dissent on the Bulls winning the title came from Joanne Palombo, head coach of the UMaine women’s basketball team.

“The Suns are going to get them,” said Palombo. “It’s going to be one of the great series. Ultimately, it will be because Barkley is possessed and their team is possessed about winning a title.”

University of Maine-Machias men’s hoop coach Sean Casey, who picks the Bulls, thinks the Jordan vs. Barkley rivalry will be a draw, leaving the Suns to rely on their outside shooting while the Bulls will have higher-percentage shots.

“I see the outside shooting of (Dan) Majerle and KJ being the key for Phoenix,” said Casey. “From what I’ve seen so far, one game they’ve been up and one game they’ve been down.”

Karl Henrikson, coach of the Northeast College Conference-champion UM-Presque Isle men’s team last season, thinks the Bulls’ experience will lead them to victory in six games.

“It’s hard to knock a champion out, plus they play such great defense,” said Henrikson.

Unlike others, Henrikson thinks Jordan is clearly a better player than Barkley.

“If Charles is the second-best player in the world, it’s not even close with the best in the world – Michael. Jordan can also play the role of a complementary player, he doesn’t have to score to be effective. And he has a poise Barkley doesn’t possess,” Henrikson said.

Kissy Walker, coach of the NAIA Div. II Final Four entry Husson College women’s team, picks Chicago.

“Playoff experience,” summarized Walker. “I think Chicago won’t make as many mistakes.”

Rick Simonds, head of the St. Joseph’s men’s program, said Jordan will rescue the Bulls.

“I always think when you’ve got the best player in the game you’ve got a good chance of winning,” Simonds said.