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ORONO – Thoughts of a juicy Thanksgiving turkey dinner with all the trimmings have a way of making one’s mouth water.
The University of Maine women’s basketball team has a burning hunger to bounce back from last week’s disappointing Preseason Women’s National Invitation Tournament loss to 20th-ranked Boston College.
If the sight of a large, enthusiastic Alfond Arena crowd and the aroma of popcorn and other concession stand goodies doesn’t get the Black Bears salivating, the thought of taking on two of the three formidable opponents on the menu for this week’s Dead River Co. Classic likely will.
Third-ranked Georgia, an NCAA Final Four participant last season and the recent winner of the Preseason WNIT, headlines the field for the tournament, which is scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Alfond Arena.
Joining UMaine and Georgia in the event are Stephen F. Austin (Texas) out of the Southland Conference and the Bears’ first-round opponent, Northeast Conference power St. Francis (Pa.).
UMaine coach Joanne Palombo-McCallie didn’t mince words about the caliber of this year’s Dead River participants.
“Georgia is probably the best team ever to be coming up here,” Palombo said Wednesday. “The quality of women’s basketball in this tournament is just phenomenal. I definitely think you couldn’t call any previous tournament more difficult or more exciting.”
The Bulldogs wrapped up the WNIT crown Monday night with an 85-64 victory over 10th-ranked Cal-Santa Barbara at Champaign, Ill. Georgia (4-0) dispatched No. 18 Boston College 78-70 in the semifinals.
Georgia, which is picked by Sports Illustrated to win the national championship, features twins Kelly Miller and Coco Miller.
Stephen F. Austin (2-0), which Palombo said has developed a good rivalry against first-round opponent Georgia, also is coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance.
St. Francis (1-0) has made four consecutive NCAA appearances by virtue of claiming its league automatic qualifier. The Red Flash lost to Connecticut in the first round last March.
Palombo views the tournament as another opportunity for the Bears to test their mettle against high-caliber, non-league competition.
“You have to take on these teams now, because you have to know what you’re preparing for in terms of the NCAA Tournament,” Palombo said. “You can’t be surprised in March, if you’re fortunate enough to be in the tournament, about what it’s going to be like there.”
Martina Tinklova on the mend
UMaine forward Martina Tinklova continues to work her way back from Nov. 1 surgery to repair a slight ligament tear in her right knee. The 6-foot-4 junior from Olomouc, Czech Republic, has done some positional work this week, but was expected to attempt going through a full practice Wednesday.
Palombo said though Tinklova’s availability for the Dead River Co. Classic is doubtful, her status will be re-evaluated after observing what effect Wednesday’s practice has on the knee.
“It’s too early to tell whether she’ll play this weekend,” Palombo said. “It swells up on her, but the pain isn’t bad. She’s really doing very well.”
Tinlova’s absence was noticeable, especially as it affected UMaine’s interior defense, during the loss to BC.
Gathering together in Orono
The four teams involved in the Dead River Co. Classic will gather tonight for the annual tournament banquet at the Black Bear Inn in Orono. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. and costs $16 per plate.
Stephen F. Austin, which has the longest trip to Orono, flew to Boston Wednesday. The Ladyjacks stayed overnight and planned to take in the view this morning during their bus trip to Orono.
St. Francis was scheduled to leave Loretto, Pa., at 7 p.m. Wednesday for a 12-plus-hour bus trip, which would put the Red Flash in Orono sometime early Thursday morning. Georgia, which played Sunday and Monday in Illinois, flew to Orono Wednesday from its campus in Athens.
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