UMaine capsules

Men’s Hockey

MAINE vs. NORTHEASTERN

Time, site: Saturday, 7 p.m., Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 10-5 (4-4 Hockey East); NU 1-8-4 (1-5-4 HE)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 38-34-15, 2-2 (OT) on 1/29/05

Key players: Maine – LW Billy Ryan (4 goals, 11 assists), C Keenan Hopson (3 & 11), C Derek Damon (5 & 8), LW Josh Soares (6 & 6), RW Greg Moore (8 & 3), D Mike Lundin (0 & 5), G Matt Lundin (4-1, 0.76 goals-against average, .968 save percentage); Northeastern – C Jimmy Russo (5 & 8), D Steve Birnstill (0 & 9), RW Ryan Ginand (5 & 3), C Joe Vitale (4 & 4), RW Matti Uusivirta (2 & 5), LW Brian Swiniarski (2 & 3), G Adam Geragosian (1-6-4, 3.22, .903)

Outlook: Northeastern will have nine freshmen in the lineup. The Huskies are better than their record indicates, losing six games by two goals or less. They are coming off three consecutive ties. Maine’s 2-1 win over Brown Wednesday snapped a three-game losing streak. Maine is 9-0-3 in its last 12 games against Northeastern at Alfond Arena. The Huskies will be physical and aggressive. The Bears will have to be more physical than they’ve been in recent games. Maine also has to play better in the first period. Maine has lost its last two games at Alfond Arena by 2-1 scores. NU is 0-5-2 on the road. NU is the sixth most penalized team in the nation (25.69 minutes per game). Maine continues to lead the country in penalty-killing (93.8) and is second in GAA (1.67).

Men’s Basketball

MAINE vs. BOSTON UNIVERSITY

Time, site: Saturday, 1 p.m., Memorial Gym, Orono

Records: Maine 2-5 (0-1 America East), Boston University 2-5 (1-0)

Series, last meeting: BU leads 47-37, Maine 47-45 on 3/5/05

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Ernest Turner (17.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg), 6-1 G Jon Sheets (11.7 ppg, 2.1 apg), 5-10 G Rashard Turner (9.1 ppg, 5.1 apg, 3.0 rpg), 6-4 G Chris Bruff (6.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg), 6-10 C Olli Ahvenniemi (6.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.9 bpg), 6-6 F Philippe Tchekane Bofia (5.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg); Boston University – 6-8 F Kevin Gardner (9.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg), 6-4 G Corey Hassan (10.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg), 6-2 G Shaun Wynn (6.3 ppg, 4.6 apg, 4.3 rpg), 5-8 G Brian Macon (7.3 ppg, 3.6 apg, 2.4 rpg), 6-8 F Ibrahim Konate (6.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 6-8 F-C Omari Peterkin (6.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg)

Outlook: There are plenty of similarities surrounding these America East conference rivals this season as both have struggled in the early going, both have home win streaks (Maine has won three straight and BU 10 straight), both had to replace their starting frontcourts in the offseason, and both need a conference win. The Black Bears face a big size disparity against the tall Terriers lineup and must use speed and the transition game to offset it, although the Terriers control the ball with 33.0 rebounds and (an uncharacteristically high, for them) 17 turnovers per game. Also, turnovers are always key in these games because BU takes care of the ball very well.

Women’s Basketball

MAINE vs. MISSISSIPPI STATE

Time, site: Sunday, 3 p.m.; Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville, Miss.

Records: Maine 2-3; Mississippi State 1-5

Series, last meeting: first meeting

Key players: Maine – 6-3 C Abby Schrader (14.4 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 1.2 bpg), 6-1 G/F Bracey Barker (12.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.4 spg, .917 FT pct.), 5-8 G Ashley Underwood (10.0 ppg, 2.4 apg, .429 3-pt. FG pct.), 6-2 F Katie Whittier (9.0 ppg, 9.2 rpg, .594 FG pct.), 5-9 G Ameshia Bryant (5.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg), 5-6 G Margaret Elderton (4.4 ppg, 2.6 apg); Mississippi State – 5-11 G/F Robin Porter (12.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.7 spg), 5-11 G Heather Hollis (7.5 ppg, .769 FT pct.), 6-3 F/C Natasha Henderson (7.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, .679 FG pct.), 6-0 F Lauren Roberts (7.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg), 6-0 F Mamie McKenney (5.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.5 apg)

Outlook: The Bears head back on the road looking to snap a three-game losing streak. UMaine will have to play strong defense, rebound aggressively and execute on offense against an athletic squad from the Southeastern Conference. MSU has lost five straight, but should challenge the Bears with its overall quickness and height. UMaine likely will need solid contributions across the board against the Bulldogs, who appear to have more depth. MSU has been turnover-prone (24.3 per game), but has played tough teams such as Arizona State and Florida State.