Men’s basketball

MAINE at BOSTON UNIVERSITY

Time, site: Wednesday, 7 p.m.; Case Gymnasium, Boston

Records: Maine 12-13 (7-6 America East), BU 15-8 (10-2)

Series, last meeting: BU leads 42-36; BU 63-53 on 1/29/03

Key players: Maine – 6-4 F Rickey White (13.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg), 6-1 G Kevin Reed (12.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.1 apg), 6-7 F Clayton Brown (11.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg), 7-0 C Justin Rowe (10.9 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 4.4 bpg), 6-2 G Eric Dobson (9.7 ppg, 4.9 apg, 3.8 rpg), 6-2 G Ludmil Hadjisotirov (7.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg), 6-2 G Derrick Jackson (5.0 ppg, 2.7 apg); Boston University – 6-8 F Rashad Bell (10.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg), 6-7 F Billy Collins (10.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg), 5-11 G Matt Turner (9.2 ppg, 2.3 apg), 6-8 F Ryan Butt (8.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg), 6-6 F Jason Grochowalski (8.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg), 6-0 G Chaz Carr (6.7 ppg, 2.9 apg, 2.3 rpg), 6-6 G-F Paul Seymour (7.8 ppg)

Outlook: The Black Bears are trying to rebound from a disappointing loss at Binghamton that snapped a four-game win streak. A win over conference leader BU would make up for a lot of that disappointment and possibly break up a logjam as Maine, Northeastern and Binghamton are tied for third in AE with 7-6 marks. Two other teams are only a half-game out of third, so the Bears need a win to keep an inside track on a top-three playoff seeding. Maine and/or BU are among the top two teams in nine of 10 AE categories. The Terriers lead the league in defense, allowing 64.3 points per game. Maine is second in offense with 74.3 ppg. Maine’s average margin of victory is 4.2 points, BU’s is 4.0. Maine outrebounds opponents by 3.5 per game and BU has a 3.4 advantage, so control of the boards will be a key factor.

Women’s Basketball

MAINE vs. NORTHEASTERN

Time, site: Wednesday, 7 p.m.; Cabot Gym, Boston

Records: Maine 17-4 (10-0 America East); Northeastern 8-15 (6-6)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 28-19; Maine 64-50 on 1/15/03

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (19.6 ppg, 9.9 rpg, .545 FG pct., 819 FT pct.), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (11.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.0 spg, .837 FT pct.), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (8.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (5.4 ppg, 4.3 apg), 6-3 C Abby Schrader (7.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 5-11 F Monica Peterson (6.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg); Northeastern – 5-4 G Aisha Williams (10.4 ppg), 5-10 G Melissa Kowalski (9.5 ppg), 6-0 G Maralene Zwarich (9.7), 6-1 F Francesca Vanin (7.9 ppg), 5-9 G/F Joi Jefferson (7.0 ppg)

Outlook: The Bears put their 13-game win streak on the line against the Huskies at Solomon Court, where UMaine has lost two in a row. UMaine needs to hit the boards aggressively and pound the ball inside against Northeastern. The Bears have an advantage up front, but must contain 6-4 Katarina Andersson. UMaine continues to be led by Ernest, but features outstanding scoring balance. The key tonight for the Bears is to unleash their best man-to-man defense and keep turnovers to a minimum, thus preventing the Huskies from generating momentum. NU averages 18 more points at home and has a 5-1 home league record.