A well-planned schedule can go a long way toward helping a college basketball team develop and put together a successful season.

With the departure of four America East members and the addition of three new schools, University of Maine women’s coach Sharon Versyp was forced to scramble this summer to finalize a schedule for the 2001-2002 season.

Versyp believes her team’s schedule will provide ample challenges as UMaine tries to re-establish itself as the team to beat in the new-look America East Conference next season.

“I feel real comfortable and confident with the schedule we have, but it is tough,” said the Bears’ second-year coach. “We have three tournaments back to back, which is not something we’d prefer, but we needed to add games.”

Versyp is relieved to have finalized the schedule, which was released Tuesday, because numerous programs nationwide are still struggling to find games.

The Bears’ schedule includes several non-conference tests. UMaine opens the season Nov. 16 at the Augusta Civic Center against Mid-American Conference power Kent State, then travels to Southeastern Conference champion Georgia, which finished last season ranked No. 4 in the country, two days later.

“Our first weekend will introduce us to big-time basketball very quickly,” Versyp said.

UMaine entertains Bradley, then either Final 8 participant Xavier or Wisconsin-Green Bay in the Dead River Company Classic Nov. 23-24 at Alfond Arena in Orono.

The Bears also play in two other tournaments, taking on Colonial Athletic Association contender George Washington and either Rice or North Carolina-Greensboro at the Rice Tournament in Houston. They then visit Deland, Fla., to play Georgia Southern and either host Stetson or Montana State.

Also among the 11 non-conference games are home contests against Dartmouth and Rhode Island and a road game at Fordham.

One aspect that pleases Versyp is the fact UMaine doesn’t have any conference games until a Jan. 3 home game against new league member Binghamton.

“We’re in a scenario now where we have time to prepare for our conference games after Christmas, which is the way it should be,” Versyp said.

The UMaine coach said the three tournaments will test the Bears’ ability to bounce back and play on consecutive nights, as is the case in the conference tournament in March. She also pointed out the team is fortunate to miss minimal class time because of its trips.

Jutras heads to grad school

Natalie Jutras, who served as the No. 3 assistant for the UMaine women’s basketball team last season, has left the program to pursue her education.

The likeable Jutras, a graduate of St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., will study toward a master’s degree at Wagner University in New York, according to Versyp.

Versyp said she is looking for a suitable candidate to fill the position.