UMaine Capsules

Men’s Basketball

MAINE vs. NORTHEASTERN

Time, site: Saturday, 1 p.m., Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 8-8 (3-4 America East), Northeastern 10-6 (6-1)

Series, last meeting: Northeastern leads 60-45, NU 99-89 on 2/26/04

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Ernest Turner (15.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.8 apg), 6-2 Kevin Reed (11.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.1 spg), 6-11 F Mark Flavin (8.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg), 6-7 G-F Joe Campbell (7.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg), 6-4 G-F Jermaine Jackson (6.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg); Northeastern – 6-0 G Jose Juan Barea (21.9 ppg, 6.9 apg, 4.4 rpg, 2.0 spg), 6-2 G Marcus Barnes (17.5 ppg), 6-9 F Shawn James (9.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 5.4 bpg), 6-9 F Bennet Davis (8.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg), 6-3 G Aaron Davis (8.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg)

Outlook: The Black Bears are reeling and the Huskies are hot. Northeastern will try to extend a three-game winning streak against Maine. Excluding a road game against Vermont and one half against UNH, the Bears have been in an offensive funk since starting point guard Chris Markwood broke his hand. They’re averaging 18.6 turnovers per game in that span. That number has to come down if the Bears are going to secure a top-three spot in the AE tournament. They also need to get more consistent output offensively from the pivot, a particular trouble spot much of this season with David Dubois injured, Olli Ahvenniemi learning on the job, and Flavin struggling at the season’s start. Freshman big man James has 54 blocks in 10 games for the Huskies.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

MAINE vs. NORTHEASTERN

Time, site: Saturday, 1 p.m.; Solomon Court, Boston

Records: Maine 7-8 (3-2 America East), Northeastern 7-7 (2-3)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 31-19, Maine 66-48 on 2/25/04

Key players: Maine – 5-7 Missy Traversi (12.3 ppg, 2.7 apg, .375 3-pt. FG pct.), 6-1 F Bracey Barker (10.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, .821 FT pct.), 6-0 F Monica Peterson (10.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg, .485 FG pct.), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (8.6 ppg, 4.1 apg, .548 FG pct.), 5-9 G Ashley Underwood (7.7 ppg, .912 FT pct.), 6-3 C Abby Schrader (5.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg); Northeastern – 6-0 G Maralene Zwarich (17.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.0 spg, .500 FG pct.), 5-5 G Shaleyse Smallwood (13.9 ppg, 2.4 apg), 6-1 F Michelle Decerbo (10.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg, .533 FG pct.), 6-1 F Francesca Vanin (10.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg), 5-5 G Jody Burrows (8.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.3 apg, .388 3-pt. FG pct.)

Outlook: The Bears look to bounce back from Wednesday’s 53-49 loss to Hartford. UMaine is struggling with consistency of intensity on defense and performance on offense. The Huskies, which lost to BU 74-69 Wednesday, could present problems. Northeastern is the league’s top rebounding team and has a knack for getting second shots. The Bears can match up height-wise inside, but must avoid foul trouble and keep NU off the offensive boards. UMaine, which has won five straight against NU, may be able to capitalize on the Huskies’ propensity to commit turnovers to initiate a potent transition game that can provide momentum.