Sharon Versyp knows a thing or two about Big Ten basketball.
She grew up in basketball-rich Indiana and played four seasons at league member Purdue University.
Tonight, her University of Maine women’s team must contend with Big Ten basketball talent and tradition when it battles Indiana at Alfond Arena in Orono.
Tipoff is 7:30 p.m.
Versyp knows the 3-3 Black Bears are in for a tough challenge against the 3-3 Hoosiers. Indiana is accustomed to a more physical style of play, one to which UMaine must adjust.
“It’s just a different brand of basketball,” Versyp said. “Indiana’s probably the most physical team that we’ll play against in the post. They’re very guard-oriented, but their post players are strong and thick.”
That very likely means tonight’s contest will come down to defense and rebounding.
UMaine must try to contain Hoosiers guard Cyndi Valentin, who is their offensive catalyst.
“She is the key to their team scoring-wise and with her energy,” Versyp said. “She’s a slasher/driver who is able to set other people up.”
Defensively, the Bears likely won’t be at full strength. Senior point guard Kim Corbitt, who sprained her ankle a week ago, is expected to be available.
“She’ll play, but we don’t know how much,” Versyp said. “She won’t be able to play her normal 40 minutes.”
That will leave senior Missy Traversi to run the offense and dictate the defensive pace along with sophomore Ashley Underwood of Benton.
“Missy did a great job last week at the point,” Versyp said. “This year she’s had more of a scoring mentality, so with Kim out we had to reverse her gears a little bit and her role has had to change, getting people organized.”
There also will be plenty of pressure on the Bears’ frontcourt in taking on Indiana. Sophomore Bracey Barker has been coming on strong of late, but UMaine will need strong efforts from the likes of junior Abby Schrader, sophomore Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa and senior Nicole Jay.
“Inside, we’ve got to be able to play three or four posts because they’re very physical,” Versyp said.
UMaine counters with good scoring balance and will look to take advantage of transition opportunities when possible. However, the Bears could use an injection of 3-point shooting to help take the pressure off the inside game.
UMaine is shooting only 27 percent (20-for-73) from beyond the arc this season.
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