Maine vs. Northeastern

Time, site: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 10-15 (7-7 America East), Northeastern 6-20 (4-11)

Series, last meeting: Northeastern leads 56-43; UM won 74-73 on 2/3/02

Key players: Maine – 6-3 G Errick Greene (17.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg), 7-0 C Justin Rowe (13.0 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 4.16 bpg), 6-4 F Rickey White (7.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg), 6-2 G Derrick Jackson (7.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg), 6-6 F Joe Campbell (7.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg); Northeastern – 6-3 G Aaron Davis (11.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg), 5-11 G Jean Bain (10.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg), 6-5 F Ricky Cranford (8.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg), 6-4 G Toby Brittian (6.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg), 6-0 G Jamaar Walker (5.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg)

Outlook: The Black Bears make their final home appearance (barring some wild tourney finishes, that is) and need a win to keep pace with New Hampshire. The Bears are nearly guaranteed a first-round league tourney game against UNH, but would like to build off Sunday’s win over Vermont. Cranford is tough to contain, and his 8.8 ppg are deceptive: He was a preseason all-league selection and is dangerous slashing to the hoop. Bain is steady on the perimeter. Northeastern is in last place in the conference, but tied with two other teams with four wins. The tallest player on the Northeastern roster is only 6-7, so Rowe could have a big game down low.