MEN’S BASKETBALL

MAINE vs. HARTFORD

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

Records: Maine 6-3 (0-0 America East); Hartford 3-4 (0-0)

Series, last meeting: Hartford leads 22-20; Hartford 70-58 on 3/2/03

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Kevin Reed (16.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.8 spg, .848 FT pct.), 6-3 G Eric Dobson (10.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 6.2 apg), 6-10 F Mark Flavin (9.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.4 bpg, .455 3-pt. pct.), 6-9 F David Dubois (8.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg, .641 FG pct.), 6-7 F Joe Campbell (7.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 6-3 G Chris Markwood (7.0 ppg); Hartford – 6-2 G Aaron Cook (12.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.0 spg), 6-0 G Ryan Stys (12.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.2 spg), 6-4 G Jerrell Parker (8.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg, .533 3-pt. pct.), 5-11 G Charles Ford (7.0 ppg, 3.1 apg), 6-9 F Trevor Goode (5.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg)

Outlook: The Bears hope to jumpstart their conference season with a win over the Hawks. Maine, coming off an 80-47 win over Division III Colby on Tuesday, encounters a Hartford squad that beat Sam Houston State 68-66 on Sunday. The game will feature good matchups at the guard spots, where Reed and Dobson have been the Bears’ offensive catalysts. They’ll have to make sound decisions and precise passes to avoid giving the Hawks transition opportunities. Maine may be able to capitalize on the size and experience of big men Flavin and Dubois against Hartford’s frontcourt. The Bears also will need a concerted rebounding effort against the Hawks, who crash the boards effectively.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

MAINE vs. WICHITA STATE

Time, site: Friday, 8 p.m.; Koch Arena, Wichita, Kansas

Records: Maine 5-4; Wichita State 2-5

Series, last meeting: first meeting

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (18.9 ppg, 11.0 rpg), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (7.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.9 apg, .409 3-pt. pct.), 6-0 F Monica Peterson (7.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, .818 FT pct.), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (4.9 ppg, 2.8 apg, .818 FT pct.), 5-7 G Missy Traversi (4.3 ppg), 6-3 F Abby Schrader (3.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg); Wichita State – 6-0 F Carlesa Dennis (12.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.7 spg), 5-11 F April Banks (12.0 ppg, 3.2 apg, .508 FG pct.), 5-6 G Tisharria Huggins (11.0 ppg, 4.5 apg, .846 FT pct.), 6-2 F/C Angela Buckner (11.0 ppg, 13.7 rpg), 6-4 C Antoinette Wells (8.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg)

Outlook: The Bears close out their nonleague schedule with another road game in the Midwest. UMaine could use a confidence booster after a tough 44-43 loss to Sunday against Southern Methodist. The Bears will again be without senior guard Melissa Heon, who is nursing a left thumb injury and will not play. UMaine needs to find her 11 ppg elsewhere, possibly from Bracey Barker or Ashley Underwood. The Shockers feature tremendous offensive balance, with four players averaging in double figures. Wichita State has good size up front, which means UMaine may need a boost from Schrader, who was solid against SMU, or Nicole Jay to complement Ernest in trying to neutralize Buckner.