Women’s Basketball

MAINE vs. VERMONT

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

Records: Maine 10-4 (3-0 America East); Vermont 10-3 (2-1)

Series, last meeting: UMaine leads 41-18; UVM won 65-44 on 2/16/02

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (20.6 ppg, 10.3 rpg, .564 FT pct., .825 FT pct.), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (11.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.4 spg), 5-7 G Missy Traversi (7.8 ppg, .815 FT pct.), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (9.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (5.1 ppg, 3.8 apg), 5-11 F Monica Peterson (6.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg); Vermont – 6-1 G Morgan Hall (18.1 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 3.5 apg, .508 FG pct.), 6-0 F Aaron Yantzi (16.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, .596 FG pct.), 6-0 G Dawn Cressman (7.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg), 6-1 F Lani Boardman (7.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg, .423 3-pt. FG pct.), 6-1 F Katie McNamara (7.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg)

Outlook: The Bears can take solid hold of first place in the league with a win over always-tough Vermont, which has been idle for 7 days. UMaine hopes to dictate a fast tempo with defensive pressure from its guards and strong rebounding that will facilitate its transition game. The Bears, who have won six straight, must contain Yantzi in the paint while preventing Player of the Year candidate Hall and Cressman from getting open looks. Vermont is a disciplined squad that shoots well and leads the league in FG pct. (.467), FT pct. (.793), scoring defense (57.3 ppg) and rebounding margin (plus-8.6), but has averaged 20 turnovers. UMaine heads America East in scoring (71.1 ppg) and FG pct. defense (.366).

Men’s Basketball

MAINE vs. VERMONT

Time, site: Wednesday, 7 p.m.; Patrick Gymnasium, Burlington, Vt.

Records: Maine 8-9 (3-2 America East), Vermont 10-7 (4-1)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 64-40; Vermont won 65-62 on 1/2/03

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Kevin Reed (13.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg), 7-0 C Justin Rowe (12.1 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 4.6 bpg), 6-4 F Rickey White (13.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg), 6-2 G Eric Dobson (9.6 ppg, 5.1 apg, 3.9 rpg), 6-4 F Clayton Brown (9.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg), 6-7 G-F Joe Campbell (9.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg), 6-2 G Derrick Jackson (5.9 ppg, 2.7 apg); Vermont – 6-9 F Taylor Coppenrath (21.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg), 6-8 C-F Matt Sheftic (10.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg), 6-7 F-G Grant Anderson (9.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.6 apg), 6-7 F-C Scotty Jones (7.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg), 6-5 G David Hehn (7.5 ppg, 2.8 apg), 6-4 G-F Germain Njila (6.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg)

Outlook: Coach John Giannini’s Bears have had this date circled on their calendars for almost three weeks. Ever since the bitter loss, in which the Bears had several chances to put the Catamounts away in the final minutes, Maine has been looking forward to a second chance at Vermont. It won’t be an easy task at loud Patrick Gym, but Maine appears motivated and looks to be minimizing mistakes and weaknesses (turnovers, foul shooting) that have plagued it all season. White and guard Ludmil Hadjisotirov are questionable with ankle injuries. So is Vermont’s Anderson, who has a sprained toe. The Bears must do a better defensive job on Coppenrath, AE’s top scorer. Giannini is one win away from 100 during his seven seasons at Maine.