A year ago, there was tremendous pressure on the University of Maine women’s basketball team to win the America East championship.

A year after reaching the final, the Black Bears were heavily favored and loaded with veteran players, including two-time league player of the year Heather Ernest.

In contrast, even though the top-seeded Bears rose to the top of the conference again this season, they did so with a more well-balanced attack, one which kept opponents off-guard.

Coach Sharon Versyp’s 20-8 Bears open their quest for a second straight AE title today in a 2:30 p.m. quarterfinal against No. 8 Boston University, an 85-74 winner over No. 9 Stony Brook Wednesday night.

Senior co-captain Missy Traversi said there is a different dynamic on this UMaine team.

“We have eight or nine girls that will go out on the court, give it their best effort, and will do it with a smile on their face,” Traversi said.

The Bears, with seven people averaging at least seven points per game, are No. 1 because of each individual’s willingness to contribute within the framework of the offense.

“We’re just really selfless,” Versyp said. “That’s one of the greatest attributes that we have with this team. We’re going in confident and we need to be able to play relaxed and loose, not real tight, tomorrow.”

Traversi has led the way, averaging 13.6 points. Sophomore Bracey Barker of Bar Harbor adjusted to her new inside role by contributing 12.1 points and 5.8 rebounds.

Senior point guard Kim Corbitt (9.3 ppg), the America East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, boosted her offensive output and spearheaded the defense. Senior forward Monica Peterson (9.1 ppg) continued her steady play, sophomore Ashley Underwood of Benton (8.1 ppg) reprised her role as a 3-point threat and junior center Abby Schrader (6.9 ppg) was a steady contributor.

There was never any threat of this UMaine team becoming complacent. Aware of their own limitations, and faced with a balanced league schedule during which any opponents was capable of winning on a given night, the Bears knew they had to keep improving and play their best every time out.

And while many observers consider this year’s AE tourney to be wide-open because of the parity, University of Maryland Baltimore County coach Phil Stern isn’t convinced.

“I think Maine and Hartford have separated themselves from the rest of the field,” Stern said. “I feel good about our chances against any team in the league… we have a chance to knock anybody off, but I certainly wouldn’t be surprised to see Maine and Hartford in the finals.”

Traversi said UMaine won’t take anything for granted as it tries to get back to the NCAA Tournament.

“We’ve got to concentrate on Game 1, then think about all the other stuff,” Traversi said. “The parity’s very different. It’s going to be interesting.”