WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

MAINE vs. BUFFALO

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

Records: Maine 5-4; Buffalo 7-2

Series, last meeting: tied 1-1; UMaine won 77-66 on Dec. 14, 1995

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (20.5 ppg, 10.3 rpg), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (10.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.4 spg), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (8.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg), 5-7 G Missy Traversi (8.2 ppg, .824 FT pct.), 6-3 C Abby Schrader (8.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg), 5-11 F Monica Peterson (7.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg); Buffalo – 5-9 G Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe (14.9 ppg, 3.8 apg, 1.9 spg), 6-0 G/F Jessica Kochendorfer (10.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.0 bpg), 6-1 F Kim Kilpela (9.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg), 5-9 G Allison Bennett (8.9 ppg), 6-1 C Rachel Martin (7.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg), 5-10 G/F Hollie Cook (6.6 ppg, 5.3 apg)

Outlook: The Bears play their first home game in five weeks against a Buffalo squad that is off to a strong start. UMaine appears to be rounding into shape, but will be tested by the Bulls, who are ranked 91st in the unofficial RPI. Buffalo, coming off Thursday’s lopsided loss to No. 25 Colorado, is an unselfish team that has a knack for finding the open shooter. UMaine wants to dictate the action with aggressive defense and likely will press at times. The Bears look to unleash Ernest and Schrader on the Bulls, who are not tall up front, but rely on strength. Point guard McMeeken-Ruscoe makes them click. The Bears look to run effectively, which will require another outstanding rebounding effort.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

MAINE vs. ALBANY

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

Records: Maine 5-8; Albany 3-7

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 2-0, Maine won 73-66 Jan. 13, 2002

Key players: Maine – 7-0 C Justin Rowe (11.6 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 5.0 bpg) , 6-1 G Kevin Reed (13.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.2 apg) , 6-4 Rickey White (12.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg) , 6-7 F Clayton Brown (8.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg) , 6-6 G-F Joe Campbell (11.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg), 6-2 G Eric Dobson (6-2 G Ludmil Hadjisotirov (13.0 ppg) ; Albany – 6-1 G Jamar Wilson (16.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.2 apg), 6-1 G Antione Johnson (13.9 ppg), 6-6 F Levi Levine (12.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.0 spg), 6-5 G-F Rhasheed Peterson (11.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg), 5-5 G Earv Opong (5.5 ppg, 5.0 apg), 6-6 F Chris Wyatt (1.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg)

Outlook: The turnover-prone Bears have lost two heartbreakers in the last three games and could use a convincing win to gain some momentum as the conference season starts. Maine has talent in the backcourt and frontcourt, but needs better communication and on-court chemistry to overcome the kinds of mistakes that have already cost them two big wins. Albany is coming off a win over Colgate that snapped a three-game losing streak. The Bears, who will be at full strength for only the second game this season, need better ball movement; a big effort from the frontcourt, which has had its share of foul trouble lately; and better foul shooting as they are just .592 at the line. Maine’s Rowe is coming off his fourth double-double of the season.

MEN’S HOCKEY

MAINE vs. UMASS-LOWELL

Time, site: Saturday, 7 p.m., Tsongas Arena, Lowell, Mass.

Records (before Friday games): Maine 15-1-2 (5-0-1 Hockey East); UMass-Lowell 7-9 (0-7 HE)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 48-21-2, Maine 4-1 on Jan. 26, 2002

Key players: Maine – C Martin Kariya (7 goals, 18 assists), C Robert Liscak (8 & 14), LW Chris Heisten (10 & 7), LW Lucas Lawson (7 & 8), D Francis Nault (5 & 10), LW Todd Jackson (5 & 9), G Frank Doyle (6-0-2, 1.80 goals-against average, .929 save percentage); UMass-Lowell – C Ed McGrane (13 & 9), RW Stephen Slonina (3 & 13), LW Andrew Martin (5 & 6), D Darryl Green (3 & 7), LW Mark Concannon (6 & 3), G Chris Davidson (4-6, 3.96, .849), G Dominic Smart (3-3, 3.40, .844)

Outlook: Both teams played in Providence Friday: Maine vs. Providence College and UML vs. Brown. The River Hawks are much better than their Hockey East record. They have been hurt by inexperienced goaltending as evidenced by their combined .807 save percentage in league play. The Bears will get the puck to the net as much as possible. Maine is 6-0 against the River Hawks at Tsongas Arena, outscoring them 22-8. The River Hawks will be physical and will try to cycle the puck low in the offensive zone. Maine’s defensemen will have to do a good job protecting the front of the net. UML has outshot its opponents by an average of 32.5-25.6. McGrane is one of the best all-around forwards in the country. Maine will again be without leading goal scorer Colin Shields due to a rib injury.