College basketball

MAINE vs. HOFSTRA women

Time, site: 1 p.m. Saturday, Physical Fitness Center, Hempstead, N.Y.

Records: Maine 11-3 (7-1 America East), Hofstra 9-8 (3-6)

Series: Maine leads 8-0

Key players: Maine – 5-9 G Cindy Blodgett 27.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 5.9 apg), 6-4 C Jamie Cassidy (19.8 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.9 bpg), 6-1 F Klara Danes (9.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg), 5-9 G Sandi Carver (7.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg), 5-7 G Amy Vachon (6.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.6 apg, 2.8 spg); Hofstra – 6-0 F/C Kate Gordon (16.1 pg, 9.2 rpg), 5-8 G Noreen Duffy (10.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg), 5-9 F Nora Anderson (8.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg), 5-6 G Denee Rivera (7.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg), 6-0 F/C Brandy Botts (6.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg)

Outlook: A conference loss to Drexel on Thursday night may have Maine fans a little confused, but this fact should cheer them up a bit: The Black Bears haven’t lost two straight league games since the year 2 B.C. – that’s Before Cindy. Actually, the year was 1993, and the Bears lost three straight to league foes that year. Don’t count on it happening again: Maine has never lost to Hofstra, and the Dutchwomen’s only two players taller than 6 feet have played a combined 18 minutes all year. That could mean a big night for Cassidy, who scored only 12 points against Drexel and should come out of the gate with something to prove.

MAINE vs. HOFSTRA men

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

Records: Maine 5-11 (2-6 America East), Hofstra 11-8 (5-4)

Series: Hofstra leads 7-4

Key players: Maine – 6-1 G Fred Meeks (21.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg), 6-1 G Marcus Wills (21.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg), 6-6 F Allen Ledbetter (14.9 ppg, 11.3 rpg), 6-7 F Colin Haynes (5.9 ppg, 8.7 rpg), 5-10 G Dade Faison (4.5 ppg, 5.9 apg); Hofstra – 5-10 G Craig Claxton (16.2 ppg, 6.9 apg, 4.5 rpg), 6-6 F Roberto Gittens (11.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg), 6-7 F Duane Posey (9.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg), 6-7 F Joe Brown (8.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg), 6-0 G Anthony Davis (7.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg)

Outlook: Dangerous Hofstra has emerged as a potential giant-killer over the past two years, thanks in large part to the play of “Speedy” Claxton, their aptly named point guard. Claxton won’t shoot from outside (he’s only attempted six 3-pointers all year), but is very effective at breaking down defenses on the dribble. Add freshman Gittens and you’ve got a potent one-two punch. Still, the parity evident in the league – even league-leading Vermont has three conference losses – means that anything’s possible on Maine’s friendly Alfond Arena hardwood. Meeks has an injured wrist and has had a hard time creating open looks because he can’t go left effectively with the heavily taped wing.