Women’s Basketball

MAINE vs. BOSTON UNIVERSITY

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

Records: Maine 9-5 (4-0 America East); Boston University 7-6 (2-2)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 32-18; BU 65-59 on 3/15/03

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (16.9 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 1.7 spg, .423 3-pt. pct.), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (11.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, .800 FT pct.), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (8.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.8 apg, .857 FT pct.), 6-0 F Monica Peterson (7.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, .469 FG pct.), 5-7 G Missy Traversi (6.1 ppg), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (5.1 ppg, 3.5 apg, 1.7 spg); BU – 6-0 G Katie Terhune (15.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, .844 FT pct.), 6-2 F Becky Bonner (14.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, .444 3-pt. pct.), 6-1 F Adrienne Norris (9.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.9 apg), 6-0 F Larissa Parr (6.5 ppg), 5-9 G Rachel Vanderwal (4.7 ppg, 3.0 apg)

Outlook: The Bears will be tested by the Huskies, who are averaging 72 ppg in league games. Maine, which has allowed only 51.8 ppg in AE contests, must slow down a BU team with good size and excellent shooters, especially Terhune and Stanford transfer Bonner. The Bears’ guards must attack off the dribble and also hit some 3’s to loosen up BU’s zones. Maine needs to rebound well and get to the foul line, where they rank 7th in the nation (.778). Defensive keys include contesting 3-point shots without opening up the middle and hustling back to prevent transition baskets. Maine has won 20 straight regular-season AE games.

Men’s Basketball

MAINE vs. BOSTON UNIVERSITY

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

Records: Maine 10-5 (4-2 in America East), BU 11-4 (5-1)

Series, last meeting: BU leads 43-36; BU 65-54 on 2/19/03

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Kevin Reed (15.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.7 spg), 6-3 G Eric Dobson (12.4 ppg, 5.7 apg, 3.5 rpg), 6-10 F Mark Flavin (9.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.9 bpg), 6-7 G-F Joe Campbell (6.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg), 6-3 G Chris Markwood (6.6 ppg, 2.3 apg, 1.4 rpg); BU – 6-0 G Chaz Carr (12.1 ppg, 2.6 apg, 1.6 spg), 6-8 F Rashad Bell (11.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg), 6-8 F Ryan Butt (10.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg), 5-11 G Matt Turner (7.9 ppg, 2.0 apg), 6-2 G Shaun Wynn (6.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.2 spg)

Outlook: This BU team looks a lot like previous incarnations: A solid shooting team (41.3 percent from the floor) which features balance, flexibility, court savvy, and great defense. The Terriers don’t rely on any one or even two guys, although Carr and Bell lead the way in scoring, and just about every regular player does more than one thing well. BU averages 63.4 points per game while holding opponents to 58.1. Both teams are averaging 35 rebounds. Maine averages 68.3 points for and 61.1 points against. With the teams so evenly matched statistically, the difference will likely come down to defense and turnovers, of which Maine is averaging 15.9 per game and BU is averaging 12.9. Case is a rough place to play as a visitor, making this one of Maine’s toughest games.