Women’s basketball

MAINE vs. VERMONT

Time, site: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 7-14 (3-7 America East), Vermont 7-14 (3-8)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 46-19, Vermont 73-60 on 1/15/06

Key players: Maine – 6-1 G/F Bracey Barker (13.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg, .821 FT pct.), 5-8 G Ashley Underwood (12.2 ppg, 2.6 apg, .791 FT pct.), 6-3 C Abby Schrader (11.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg), 5-6 G Margaret Elderton (5.7 ppg, 2.3 apg), 6-1 F Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa (3.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg); Vermont – 6-0 F Alexis Castro (16.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, .496 FG pct.), 5-9 G Brittney Cross (9.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.6 spg, .857 FT pct.), 5-10 G Ashleigh Cuncic (8.0 ppg, .923 FT pct.), 5-7 G Chrissy Battram (6.4 ppg, .351 3-pt. pct.), 6-1 F Kelli Poles (4.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg)

Outlook: The Bears hope to generate some momentum after snapping a nine-game road losing streak Sunday at Albany. UMaine occupies seventh place in AE, a half-game ahead of UVM. A win would push the Bears a step closer to avoiding a tournament play-in game. The Catamounts have dropped six straight, including Saturday’s 83-72 loss at UMBC. UMaine must contain the versatile Castro, who poured in a 34 points in the first meeting. UMaine’s spotty offense must exploit weaknesses in a UVM defense that ranks last in AE games, allowing 66.8 ppg. Keys for the Bears include limiting UVM’s offensive rebounds, avoiding foul trouble and getting back quickly on defense in transition.

Men’s basketball

MAINE vs. VERMONT

Time, site: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Patrick Gym, Burlington, Vt.

Records: Maine 9-14 (4-8 in America East), Vermont (10-12, 6-6)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 67-44, Maine 85-82 Jan. 15

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Ernest Turner (15.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.0 apg), 6-6 F Philippe Tchekane Bofia (9.8 ppg,5.7 rpg), 6-1 G Jon Sheets (9.8 ppg, 2.9 apg, 2.1 rpg), 5-10 G Rashard Turner (9.7 ppg, 3.1 apg, 2.7 rpg), 6-4 F Chris Bruff (6.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg), 6-10 C Olli Ahvenniemi (6.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.7 bpg); Vermont – 6-1 G Mike Trimboli (14.6 ppg, 5.7 apg, 3.0 rpg), 6-8 C-F Martin Klimes (12.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg), 6-4 G Kyle Cieplicki (8.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg), 6-11 C Chris Holm (7.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg), 6-7 F Josh Duell (6-7 F Ryan Schneider (6.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg),

Outlook: With four games left, Maine wants a spark heading into the AE playoffs, especially after three straight losses – two by a combined 42-point margin. The Black Bears face a particular challenge inside against the Catamounts as Vermont is bigger and one of AE’s best rebounding teams, while Maine uses a smaller lineup with two post players and is one of AE’s worst rebounding teams. Maine is averaging 64.7 points, 34.5 rebounds and 15.2 turnovers per game while Vermont is averaging 64.9 points, 36.4 rebounds, and 15.9 turnovers. Maine is giving up 67.8 points a game while Vermont is yielding 64.9. Maine must offset Vermont’s inside edge with its guard play and shooting, while also getting to the line and continuing to shoot as well as they have in recent games.