Men’s Basketball

MAINE vs. MORGAN STATE

Time, site: Saturday, 1 p.m., Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland

Records: Maine 4-2, Morgan State 1-4

Series, last meeting: Maine 3-0, Maine 81-61 on 12/9/02

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Kevin Reed (17.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.2 spg), 6-3 G Eric Dobson (11.0 ppg, 6.8 apg, 4.2 rpg), 6-9 F David Dubois (9.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg), 6-10 F Mark Flavin (9.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg), 6-7 G-F Joe Campbell (8.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg); Morgan State – 6-5 F-C Aaron Andrews (13.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg), 6-0 G Cedrick Barrow (10.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.2 apg), 6-4 G Ronald Timus (10.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg), 6-4 G Chris Grant (7.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.8 apg), 6-5 G-F Reggie Winkfield (6.6 ppg)

Outlook: Morgan State of Baltimore, Md., is a stark contrast to the type of team Maine faced in Dartmouth. The MSU Bears like to run and are shooting at a 45.0 percent clip from the field, but are averaging just 66.4 points per game while yielding 77.0 Their schedule has been tough with losses to Seton Hall, Virginia Tech, Coppin State (OT) and Old Dominion. Alfred “Butch” Beard, whose pedigree includes 20 years of NBA playing and coaching experience, is MSU’s coach. Maine is averaging 74.8 ppg while giving up 66.2 and is outrebounding opponents 40.8 to 32.3, but is also committing 18.7 turnovers per game to 13.2 by opponents. Turnovers are also a problem for MSU. They average 18.0 while opponents average 14.8. Morgan State was picked to finish 10th in the 11-member Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Women’s Basketball

MAINE vs. RIDER

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

Records: Maine 4-3; Rider 2-6

Series, last meeting: first meeting

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (18.7 ppg, 10.4 rpg), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (10.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.8 spg), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (8.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.7 apg), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (6.0 ppg, 2.4 apg, .818 FT pct.), 6-0 F Monica Peterson (6.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg), 5-7 G Missy Traversi (5.1 ppg); Rider – 5-8 G Becky Hower (14.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.3 apg, .844 FT pct.), 6-0 F Leanne Moore (13.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, .828 FT pct., 2.0 spg, 1.8 bpg), 6-0 G/F Katie Hall (10.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg), 5-10 G Monica Wellborn (6.8 ppg), 5-9 G Kara Borel (5.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.0 spg).

Outlook: The Bears want to head into their brief Christmas break with a victory over the Broncs. Coach Sharon Versyp said Rider plays with the kind of reckless abandon that makes it a scary opponent. The Bears are coming off a Dec. 12 loss at Indiana, while the Broncs snapped a three-game losing streak Wednesday by routing St. Francis (N.Y.) 90-54. UMaine should be more rested physically with nine days since its last game and must match up with a guard-oriented Rider squad. The Bears may be able to capitalize on the inside play of 6-3 Abby Schrader and 6-6 Nicole Jay opposite Ernest at power forward. Rider, of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, is 0-4 on the road this season.