Hawks to test Bears Hartford’s speed tough to stop

One might assume the University of Maine women’s basketball team, which has piled up 24 consecutive regular-season league victories, is the team to beat in America East.

Black Bears coach Sharon Versyp begs to differ.

UMaine’s fourth-year coach believes Hartford is the conference frontrunner until some team proves otherwise.

“Hartford, to us, is the team to beat right now,” Versyp said. Their RPI is better than us. They’re playing great basketball.”

Coach Jen Rizzotti’s streaking Hawks bring a nifty 16-3 record (7-1 AE) into Alfond Arena in Orono for tonight’s much-anticipated conference clash against UMaine (13-5, 8-0 AE).

Hartford, which earlier this season posted a nine-game winning streak, has already equaled the school single-season record for victories. The Hawks have won 11 of their last 12.

In the big picture, Hartford is ranked No. 71 and No. 75 in two different unofficial samplings of the Ratings Percentage Index, the formula used to help seed teams for the NCAA Tournament. UMaine checks in at Nos. 98 and 101, respectively.

The Hawks obviously have established a winning mindset.

“The game of basketball is mental,” Versyp said. “When you’re feeling good and you’ve got great confidence, then a lot of great things are going to happen.”

Hartford has given UMaine fits the last few years. Like the Bears, the Hawks are a guard-oriented outfit. And they feature tremendous overall quickness, speed and strength.

Hartford tries to set the tone with aggressive man-to-man defense.

“It’s going to be a battle,” Versyp said. “They play great man-to-man defense.”

The Bears, who also have built their success around tenacious defense, will try to contend with the Hawks’ versatile offense. Hartford is patient and disciplined, moves the ball well and is able to get good shots.

“It’s very difficult to defend,” Versyp said. “They’re great one-on-one players, shooters and slasher/drivers.”

UMaine has achieved good results with a similar offensive tactic in recent games. The Bears have opened up the floor and allowed each of their players to take advantage of their various skills.