MAINE vs. MASSACHUSETTS

Time, site: Wednesday, 7 p.m.; Mullins Center, Amherst, Mass.

Records: Maine 2-1; Massachusetts 1-5

Series: Maine leads 10-4

Key players: Maine – 6-4 C Jamie Cassidy (28.7 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 2.7 bpg), 5-10 G/F Kristen McCormick (15.0 ppg), 6-4 F Martina Tinklova (14.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg), 5-7 G Amy Vachon (6.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.7 spg), 5-11 F Kizzy Lopez (5.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg); UMass – 5-11 F Tez Kraft (12.2 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.7 apg), 5-5 G Cathy Coyner (11.3 ppg, 4.2 apg), 5-9 G Alison MacFarland (8.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg), 6-2 F/C Caroline Nehls (6.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg), 6-3 C Yolanda Rayside (5.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg)

Outlook: Maine begins a three-game road trip against UMass, which coach Joanne Palombo-McCallie called “the best 1-5 team I’ve ever seen.” Cassidy has been superb, but the Bears continue to look for improved balance, chemistry and depth. The Minutewomen lost catalyst Kelly Van Huisen on Nov. 20 with a season-ending knee injury. Jaywana Bradley is out with a calf strain. UMass, an NCAA tourney team last season, has only nine players, so depth is a concern. The Minutewomen lost Saturday to No. 5 Georgia. UMass’ challenge may be matching up inside against the versatility of Cassidy and Tinklova.