WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Maine vs. Rhode Island

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

Records: Maine 6-4; Rhode Island 6-3

Series, last meeting: Rhode Island leads 10-9; URI won 69-52 on 12/15/00

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (11.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg), 5-7 G Missy Traversi (11.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.0 spg), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (10.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.4 apg), 6-1 F Julie Veilleux (8.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg) 6-0 F Monica Peterson (7.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg), 6-3 C Eva Moldre (3.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.8 bpg); Rhode Island – 5-10 F Yatar Kuyateh (11.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg), 5-10 G Hilary Goodrich (8.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg), 5-11 Dragana Banjac (6.8 ppg), 5-10 G Lindsey O’Neil (9.6 ppg), 5-7 G Neda Djuric (6.2 ppg, 3.4 apg)

Outlook: The Bears hope to end their non-conference season, and their year, on a positive note with a win over the Rams. UMaine has won four of its last five, including a 52-39 victory a week ago at Fordham. The Bears and Rams both have achieved tremendous scoring and rebounding balance and boast good depth. URI, which dropped a 62-59 decision last Sunday at Hartford, has limited opponents to 58 ppg, best in the Atlantic 10. The Rams have nine players averaging at least 15 minutes per game. UMaine, which completed its semester exams this week, looks to control the rebounding action and attack the basket to get to the foul line. Ernest continues to round into midseason form, while the Bears’ freshman point guards are making steady progress. URI has lost two in a row after winning four straight.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Maine vs. Massachusetts

Time, site: 2 p.m. Sunday, William D. Mullins Center, Amherst, Mass.

Records: Maine 2-7, Massachusetts 5-3

Series, last meeting: UMass leads 39-16; UM won 76-63 on Feb. 16, 1980

Key players: Maine – 6-3 G Errick Greene (20.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 7-0 C Justin Rowe (14.9 ppg, 8.7 rpg), 6-4 F Rickey White (8.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg), 6-5 G Freddy Petkus (5.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg), 6-6 F Joe Campbell (3.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg); Massachusetts – 6-2 G Shannon Crooks (14.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg), 6-11 F Micah Brand (11.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg), 6-10 C Kitwana Rhymer (10.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg), 5-11 G Anthony Anderson (9.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg), Raheim Lamb (5.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg)

Outlook: The Black Bears head to Amherst with a three-game winning streak against the Minutemen, but the teams haven’t faced each other in 21 years. Of UMass’ three losses, two are to Connecticut and Boston College. Rowe has enjoyed a size advantage much of the year, but that he’ll be tested by a pair of tall, bulky Minutemen in Brand and Rhymer. Guard play will likely be a key. Greene is coming off a 45-point effort against Norfolk State, but the Bears need to find someone to help him out on the perimeter. Petkus has shot the ball better recently and his continued success from behind the 3-point arc will give Rowe and Greene some maneuvering room down low.