AMERICA EAST MEN’S TOURNAMENT

Men’s Basketball

MAINE vs. BINGHAMTON

Time, site: Saturday, noon; Walter Brown Arena, Boston

Records: No. 4 Maine 18-9 (12-6), No. 5 Binghamton 14-15 (10-8)

Series, last meeting: Maine 4-2; Maine 84-51 on 2/8/04

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Kevin Reed (14.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.2 spg), 6-3 G Eric Dobson (12.6 ppg, 5.7 apg, 3.6 rpg), 6-10 F Mark Flavin 12.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.0 bpg), 6-7 G-F Joe Campbell (7.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg), 6-3 G Chris Markwood (6.3 ppg, 2.6 apg, 1.8 rpg), 6-2 G Ludmil Hadjisotirov (5.5 ppg); Binghamton – 7-0 C Nick Billings (12.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg), 3.5 bpg), 6-3 G Brandon Carter (10.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.7 spg), 6-1 G Troy Hailey (9.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.4 apg), 6-8 F Alex Adediran (8.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg), 6-6 F Sebastian Hermenier (5.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg), 6-3 F Billy Williams (4.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg)

Outlook: The Black Bears are primed to make their fifth run into the conference semifinals in the last six years, but must find a way to keep Billings from taking over the game. Ball control, limiting turnovers, and holding their own on the boards will help them do just that. The Bearcats have plenty of size up and down the lineup, so neutralizing them on the boards is a tall order. Maine’s biggest edge is in the backcourt, and Reed is capable of taking over a game if his 3-point shot is falling. This is Binghamton’s first foray into AE tourney play after being on “probation” the last two years as a rookie member and new Division I team.

Women’s Basketball

MAINE vs. HARTFORD

Time, site: Saturday, 2 p.m.; Chase Family Arena, W. Hartford, Conn.

Records: Maine 21-6 (16-1 America East); Hartford 18-10 (9-8)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 35-7; Maine 54-52 on 2/4/04

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (16.6 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.8 spg), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (11.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.7 spg, .408 3-pt. pct.), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (8.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.7 apg, .854 FT pct.), 6-0 F Monica Peterson (7.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg), 5-7 G Missy Traversi (7.1 ppg), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (5.6 ppg, 3.7 apg); Hartford – 5-8 G Erika Messam (11.1 ppg, 3.9 apg, 2.4 spg), 5-9 G Ikea Witt (10.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, .800 FT pct.), 5-9 G Liz Stich (9.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg), 6-2 C Tanika Price (7.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg), 5-5 G Bridget Murray (6.1 ppg, 42 3-pointers)

Outlook: The Bears get their final tuneup for the league tournament, on the same floor, against the always-tough Hawks. UMaine, coming off a win at Stony Brook, wants to win while minimizing the starters’ minutes. That won’t be easy against Hartford’s athleticism and depth. The Hawks lost to Binghamton in overtime Wednesday and have dropped two straight and seven of nine. Hartford, AE’s worst-shooting team in league games at .384, took UMaine to the wire in Orono. The Hawks rely on defense and rebounding to keep games close. The teams are paired (Maine No. 1, Hartford No. 4 or 5) for a possible semifinal meeting next week.