Women’s basketball

Dead River Co. Classic

MAINE vs. LOYOLA

Time, site: Friday, 6:30 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono

Team, record: Maine 0-3; Loyola of Chicago 1-1

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 1-0; Maine 72-54 on 12/18/94

Key players: Maine – 6-0 F Monica Peterson (11.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg), 5-7 G Missy Traversi (10.7 ppg, .463 3-pt. FG pct.), 6-3 F Abby Schrader (8.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg), 5-9 G Ashley Underwood (6.7 ppg, .917 FT pct.), 6-1 F Bracey Barker (5.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg), 5-6 G Kim Corbitt (3.7 ppg, 3.7 apg, 2.7 spg); Loyola – 5-9 G G Meskhenet Lands (15.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.5 apg, 3.0 spg), 5-8 G Clara Henderson (17.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg), 6-1 F Jenna Real (11.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, .750 FG pct.), 5-7 G Mandy Mennella (9.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 5.5 apg), 6-1 C Danielle Lonie (4.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.5 bpg)

Outlook: The Black Bears are eager to bounce back after a subpar effort in Sunday’s loss at Southern Methodist. UMaine went back to basics in practice and will concentrate on execution and intensity. The Bears may try to exploit their post game against Loyola, a guard-oriented team reminiscent of Hartford in America East. The Ramblers are coming off a 65-60 win Monday against Eastern Illinois and have exhibited good balance and an ability to get to the foul line.

MISSISSIPPI STATE vs. ST. JOSEPH’S

Time, site: Friday, 4 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono

Team, record: Mississippi State 1-1; St. Joseph’s (Pa.) 1-3

Series, last meeting: first meeting

Key players: Mississippi State – 5-7 G Tan White (25.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.0 apg, 5.5 spg), 5-8 G Tiania Burns (15.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 5.0 apg), 5-6 G Doceida Warren (6.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg), 5-10 G/F Blessing Chekwa (6.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg), 6-0 F Mamie McKinney (3.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg); St. Joseph’s – 6-1 C Erica Pollock (10.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.0 spg), 5-7 G Kelly Springman (7.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.0 apg), 5-10 G Whitney Ffrench (7.3 ppg), 6-0 F Maura McBryan (7.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg), 6-1 Faith Schutte (6.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg)

Outlook: Two of the country’s top women’s basketball conferences collide in the tourney opener. The Bulldogs are coming off a 66-49 loss to No. 9 Baylor on Tuesday night, while the Hawks dropped a 64-50 decision to Illinois the same evening. MSU has a handful of quick, talented guards who can create and score. St. Joseph’s is a relatively young squad that includes seven freshmen and sophomores with no seniors.

Men’s basketball

MAINE at RHODE ISLAND

Time, site: 7:30 p.m.; The Ryan Center, Kingston, R.I.

Records: Maine 0-2, Rhode Island 1-1

Series, last meeting: URI leads 85-12; URI 69-63 on 12/14/03

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Kevin Reed (10.0 ppg), 6-2 G Ernest Turner (17.0 ppg, 4.5 apg, 4.0 rpg), 6-11 F Mark Flavin (7.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg), 6-7 G-F Joe Campbell (8.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.0 spg), 6-3 G Chris Markwood (6.5 ppg, 4.5 apg); URI – 6-8 F Scott Hazelton (22.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg), 6-7 F Terrence Mack (8.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg), 6-5 G Jon Lucky (8.5 ppg), 6-5 Randy Brooks (7.5 ppg, 3.5 apg), 6-9 C Marcel Momplaisir (4.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg)

Outlook: Both teams are coming off losses, but Maine’s was particularly frustrating after a 3-pointer at the buzzer thwarted a spirited rally in the final five minutes. The Rams were a National Invitational Tournament participant last year but are undermanned with Atlantic-10 preseason first team guard Dawan Robinson, projected starter Jamaal Wise, and 6-6 guard Jeff Kalapos out. Rhode Island holds a 47-4 record at home against the Bears, who last won in Kingston in 1969. Maine coach Ted Woodward’s grandfather (Carl Woodward) is a former URI president. The Rams are averaging 20 turnovers and 65 points per game, while Maine is at 16.5 and 62.5, respectively. The big difference is URI’s scoring margin, which is 0.5 in its favor per game. Maine is at minus-7.5.