MAINE vs. MASSACHUSETTS

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

Records: Massachusetts 3-1; Maine 2-1

Series: Maine leads 9-4

Key players: Massachusetts – 5-8 G Kelly Van Huisen (16.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg), 5-11 F Tez Kraft (14.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg), 6-3 C Yolanda Rayside (9.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg), 5-9 G Alison MacFarland (8.0 ppg), 5-3 G Sabriya Mitchell (5.3 ppg, 8.8 apg); Maine – 5-9 G Cindy Blodgett (28.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4.7 apg), 6-4 C Jamie Cassidy (17.0 ppg, 9.3 rpg), 5-10 G Kristen McCormick (10.0 ppg), 5-7 G Amy Vachon (5.7 ppg, 6.7 apg, 3.0 spg), 6-1 F Klara Danes (5.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg).

Outlook: The Black Bears look to bounce back after Sunday’s disappointing 97-80 loss to Wisconsin, which snapped Maine’s 13-game winning streak at the Alfond. The Atlantic 10 Minutemen, who return four starters from last season, are coming off Sunday’s 59-56 loss at Ohio State. UMass is shifting its focus from the frontcourt to its quick guards, which should make for an interesting matchup against Maine as the Bears also utilize a three-guard alignment. Mitchell, a senior, is UMass’ catalyst distributing the ball. The Minutemen want to play a fast tempo, but Maine excels in the open-court style. Both teams have only two seniors and feature five underclassmen among their top nine. The teams last met in the 1995 Preseason Women’s NIT in Orono, with Maine winning 70-56.