Men’s basketball

MAINE at NEW HAMPSHIRE

Time, site: Thursday, 7 p.m.; Lundholm Gym, Durham, N.H.

Records: Maine (6-10, 1-4 in America East), UNH 6-11 (3-3)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 105-61, Maine 76-70 on 2/9/05

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Ernest Turner (16.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg), 6-1 G Jon Sheets (9.8 ppg, 2.9 apg), 6-6 F Philippe Tchekane Bofia (9.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg), 5-10 G Rashard Turner (9.3 ppg, 3.4 apg, 2.9 rpg), 6-4 G-F Chris Bruff (7.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg), 6-10 C Olli Ahvenniemi (5.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg); New Hampshire – 6-8 F Blagoj Janev (14.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg), 6-8 F Mike Christensen (8.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg), 6-1 G Jermaine Anderson (8.1 ppg, 3.4 apg, 3.4 rpg), 5-8 G Chris Vetrano (7.5 ppg, 3.0 apg), 6-6 C-F Jamaal Caterina (5.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg), 6-2 G Tyrece Gibbs (6.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg)

Outlook: This is a reunion of sorts for a few players from each squad as Caterina and sophomore forward Shawn Tobey played high school ball at Deering of Portland and Marshwood of Eliot, respectively. Maine sophomore guard Jason Hight played against them while at Westbrook. The Black Bears would like to start a win streak and win their second conference game at the same time, and the return of Bofia should shore up a frontcourt which has shown some progress and promise with the insertion of swingman Bruff into the pivot and blocks. The Wildcats are very similar to the Bears in that they have some solid frontcourt players and guards, although Maine’ backcourt gets the edge in experience and depth. UNH is averaging 58.2 ppg while opponents are at 65.6.