College Basketball

MAINE MEN vs. NEW HAMPSHIRE

Time, site: Saturday, 1 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 11-7, 4-2 NAC; New Hampshire 8-9, 3-3 NAC

Key players: Maine – 6-8 F Francois Bouchard (17.4 ppg, 8.9 rpg), 6-0 G Casey Arena (13.7 ppg, 6.5 apg, 2.8 spg), 5-11 G Deonte Hursey (10.3 ppg, 3.0 apg), 6-6 F Ed Jones (9.9 ppg), 6-5 F Terry Hunt (9.1 ppg), 6-6 C Ken Barnes (8.6 ppg), 6-5 F Chris Collins (8.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg); New Hampshire – 6-8 F Scott Drapeau (21.9 ppg, 8.9 rpg), 6-6 F Eric Montanari (15.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.9 apg), 6-5 F Mo Caldwell (15.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg), 6-4 G Tommy MacDonald (9.5 ppg), 6-3 F Ed Eusebio (7.5 ppg), 6-4 G Doug Wilson (7.4 ppg, 1.9 spg).

Outlook: Maine welcomes back Bouchard, who missed the last 4 1/2 games with an ankle sprain. But, he’ll likely work his way back slowly. A victory would help the Black Bears get a firm grip on third place in the North Atlantic Conference. A big key will be shutting down Drapeau, an inside force who ranks second in the league in scoring and fifth in rebounding. The Wildcats like to complement Drapeau by jacking up 3-pointers, hitting 6.6 per game. Arena, who has been hobbled by an ankle sprain, is expected to play for Maine. The Bears hope for a strong showing at home after four straight road wins. Maine leads the series 84-56, having won six of the last seven.

MAINE WOMEN vs. NEW HAMPSHIRE

Time, site: Saturday, 1 p.m.; Lundholm Gym, Durham, N.H.

Records: Maine 13-6, 5-1 NAC; New Hampshire 10-6, 4-2 NAC

Key players: Maine – 6-0 F Steph Guidi (14.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg), 5-9 G Erin Grealy (10.4 ppg), 6-0 F Rita Sullivan (5.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg), 5-7 G Seana Dionne (5.6 ppg, 2.3 apg), 5-11 F Catherine Gallant (5.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg), 5-7 G Chrissy Strong (4.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4.0 apg, 2.1 spg); New Hampshire – 5-2 G Marcie Lane (14.5 ppg, 2.7 spg), 5-3 G Meaghan Lane (9.9 ppg, 2.4 spg), 5-11 F Pam Brandell (8.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg), 5-10 F Bridget White (6.1 ppg), 5-8 G/F Kerri Eaton (5.4 ppg), 5-10 F Carrie Kimball (5.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg).

Outlook: Two of the league’s best defensive teams get together in a game that features plenty of Maine-born talent. Maine ranks second in the NCAA in scoring defense (52.7 ppg) and third in field-goal percentage defense (.343). New Hampshire is 19th in scoring defense at 59.4 ppg and have held opponents to 38-percent floor shooting. The Wildcats are sparked by the Lane sisters, former backcourt catalysts at Cony High School in Augusta. Both teams have won seven of their last nine outings. Guidi, who played only 11 minutes Monday at Dartmouth after suffering a shoulder injury, is expected to start for Maine. The Bears lead the series 18-13.