Men’s Basketball

NEW HAMPSHIRE at MAINE

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

Records: Maine 9-12 (4-5 America East), New Hampshire 3-17 (1-8)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 100-61; UNH 74-64 on Jan. 8

Key players: Maine – 6-1 G Kevin Reed (13.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.1 apg), 6-4 F Rickey White (12.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg), 7-0 C Justin Rowe (11.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 4.7 bpg), 6-7 F Clayton Brown (10.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg), 6-2 G Eric Dobson (9.6 ppg, 4.7 apg, 3.9 rpg), 6-2 G Ludmil Hadjisotirov (9.0 ppg, 2.2 apg), 6-2 G Derrick Jackson (5.6 ppg, 2.3 apg); New Hampshire – 5-10 G Shejdie Childs (10.7 ppg, 2.0 apg, 1.9 spg), 6-4 G Griffin Walker (9.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, ), 6-0 G Marcus Bullock (9.1 ppg, 6-3 G Ronnie Dennis (8.5 ppg), 6-9 C-F Kyle Peterson (5.1 ppg), 6-4 G Ioannis Karalis (6.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg)

Outlook: The Black Bears hope to make “Blackout Night” blue for the visiting Wildcats. Any fan wearing a Maine “Blackout” T-shirt, which can be purchased on campus, gains free admission to the game. Maine is eager to avenge a disappointing loss in Durham last month, still the only conference win for the Wildcats. Despite a 1-3 mark in its last four games, Maine has been taking care of the ball and moving it more effectively on offense. The ‘Cats have had nine different high-game scorers this season and have improved their shooting percentage overall from 35 to 42 percent the last 10 games, but opponents’ shooting has gone up (four percentage points) over the same period. Rowe is only 13 short of Jeff Cross’ school record for career blocks (209).

Women’s Basketball

MAINE vs. NEW HAMPSHIRE

Time, site: Wednesday, 7 p.m.; Lundholm Gymnasium, Durham, N.H.

Records: Maine 14-4 (7-0 America East); New Hampshire 7-11 (2-5)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 34-15; Maine won 67-55 on Jan. 9

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (19.6 ppg, 10.2 rpg, .545 FG pct., .824 FT pct.), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (10.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.4 apg, 2.1 spg), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (8.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (4.9 ppg, 4.1 apg), 5-7 G Missy Traversi (7.4 ppg, .360 3-pt. FG pct.), 5-11 F Monica Peterson (6.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg); New Hampshire – 6-3 C Maren Matthias (16.7 ppg, 10.3 rpg, .535 FT pct.), 5-10 F Geneva Livingston (10.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, .412 3-pt. FG pct.), 6-1 F Aubrey Danen (9.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg), 5-4 G Colleen Mullen (7.7 ppg, 4.6 apg), 5-8 G Emily Caschera (3.2 ppg, 3.3 apg).

Outlook: The Bears look to extend their 10-game winning streak in a rematch against the Wildcats. UMaine must refocus after an overtime win vs. Hartford by playing swarming defense, hitting the boards hard and forcing the tempo with its speed. New Hampshire has lost four in a row, but is 6-2 at home this season. The Bears need to contest every touch and shot by Matthias, one of the league’s top centers. Still, UMaine must hound UNH’s guards, preventing open shots against AE’s best 3-point shooting team (.368). The Bears can afford to be physical as the ‘Cats are shooting a league-low 58 percent from the foul line. UMaine also wants to capitalize on its depth advantage as UNH has a short bench.