College Basketball

MAINE WOMEN vs. NORTHEASTERN

Time, site: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Cabot Gym, Boston

Records: Maine 14-6, 6-1 NAC; Northeastern 12-6, 6-1 NAC

Key players: Maine – 6-0 F Steph Guidi (15.0 ppg, 8.8 rpg), 5-9 G Erin Grealy (10.3 ppg), 5-7 G Seana Dionne (5.6 ppg), 5-7 G Chrissy Strong (4.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.0 spg), 6-0 F Rita Sullivan (5.6 ppg, 4.4. rpg), 6-4 C Stacey Porrini (2.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg); Northeastern – 6-0 F Katasha Artis (18.6 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 3.4 spg, 2.9 bpg), 5-10 G Carrine Jones (13.8 ppg, 2.2 apg, 2.8 spg), 5-9 G/F Felicia Hobson (8.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg), 5-11 F Nora Mitchell (8.1 ppg), 5-4 G Julie Davis (6.6 ppg), 6-1 C Sherry McClintock (2.5 ppg).

Outlook: This game could eventually determine the top seed in the NAC as Maine and Northeastern are tied for the league lead. NU took a 63-57 overtime win at Orono on Jan. 29, handing Maine its only league loss. The Bears face the prospect of playing without Guidi, who is doubtful because of a nagging injury to her left shoulder. If Guidi can’t go, Maine likely will fill the void with senior Cyndi Buetow and Porrini, who is coming on of late. Defense should be in evidence as Maine is ranked No. 1 in the NCAA in average points allowed (53.1) and fourth in defensive field goal percentage (34.4 percent) while NU is seventh at 55.9 ppg. The Huskies, who are riding a seven-game win streak, haven’t played at home since Jan. 23. NU is 6-2 at Cabot Gym, where it averages 122 fans.

MAINE MEN vs. NORTHEASTERN

Time, site: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 11-8, 4-3 NAC; Northeastern 5-14, 2-5 NAC

Key players: Maine – 6-8 C Francois Bouchard (16.9 ppg, 8.7 rpg), 6-0 G Casey Arena (13.4 ppg, 6.6 apg, 2.7 spg), 5-11 G Deonte Hursey (10.4 ppg), 6-6 F Ken Barnes (8.7 ppg), 6-6 C Ed Jones (10.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg), 6-4 F Chris Collins (8.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg); Northeastern – 6-3 G Anthony Brown (18.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg), 6-7 F Deo Djossou (12.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg), 6-3 F Damon Singletary (9.8 ppg), 6-8 Edwin Harmon (5.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg), 5-8 G Halim Abdullah (5.4 ppg, 5.3 apg, 1.9 spg), 6-6 F Alphonso Barney (5.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg).

Outlook: Maine wants to erase the memory of Saturday’s avoidable loss to New Hampshire. The Huskies snapped a six-game skid with a win over BU last Saturday, but Northeastern is only one game out of the NAC cellar. Maine won the first meeting 79-67 on Jan. 29 in Boston, without Bouchard. NU is 1-9 on the road this season, but has won three straight and 14 of 15 at Maine. The Bears haven’t beaten the Huskies here since 1990 and have dropped three of four at Alfond Arena. BU is without 6-8 inside force Dan Callahan and top returning scorer Ben Harlee for the rest of the season because of injuries. Bouchard and Arena are coming off ankle sprains for the Bears, but will be in the lineup.