Women’s basketball

Marriott Cavalier Classic

MAINE vs. VIRGINIA

Time, site: Thursday, 3 p.m., Jones Arena, Charlottesville, Va.

Records: Maine 5-4, Virginia 8-3

Series, last meeting: Virginia leads 2-0; Virginia 72-62 on 11/12/04

Key players: Maine – 5-8 G Ashley Underwood (11.6 ppg, 1.4 spg), 6-2 F Katie Whittier (9.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, .944 FT pct.), 5-10 G/F Amanda Tewksbury (6.0 ppg, 6-1 C Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa (5.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg), 5-7 G Abby Greene (3.7 ppg, 2.4 apg), 5-7 G Kris Younan (6.9 ppg); UVA – 6-1 F Lyndra Littles (15.6 ppg, 9.5 rpg), 5-11 G Monica Wright (12.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.7 spg), 5-7 G Sharnee Zoll (11.4 ppg, 4.9 apg), 6-2 C Siedah Williams (9.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg), 5-11 G Brenna McGuire (8.7 ppg)

Outlook: The Bears hope some holiday relaxation will help them halt a three-game losing streak. The Cavaliers of the Atlantic Coast Conference have won five of their last six. The Bears have struggled since Bracey Barker injured her right wrist Dec. 7 at Holy Cross. They have averaged only 41.5 ppg the last two games while shooting 30 percent from the field (24 percent from 3-pt. range) and being outrebounded 80-56. UMaine’s challenges include getting scoring production from five or six players to take the pressure off Whittier and Underwood, who will be the focus of UVA’s defensive efforts. The Bears also must keep the hosts off the offensive boards to limit second-chance points and keep their own turnovers in check to maximize their possessions and prevent UVA from running in transition. UMaine will play either Alabama-Birmingham or Northwestern State on Friday.

Men’s basketball

MAINE vs. NEVADA

Time, site: Thursday, 8:30 p.m., Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nev.

Records: Maine 5-6, Nevada 10-1

Series, last meeting: first meeting

Key players: Maine – 6-3 G Kevin Reed (11.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.5 spg), 6-1 G Jon Sheets (11.6 ppg, 3.3 apg, 2.2 spg), 6-5 G Junior Bernal (11.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.5 apg), 6-6 F Philippe Tchekane Bofia (9.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg), 6-4 F Chris Bruff (7.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg), 6-6 G Mark Socoby (7.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg); Nevada – 6-11 F Nick Fazekas (20.9 ppg, 12.6 rpg), 6-5 G Marcellus Kemp (17.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.1 apg), 6-3 G Ramon Sessions (13.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.6 apg), 6-3 G Kyle Shiloh (8.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.8 apg), 6-7 F Denis Ikovlev (5.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg), 6-11 F JaVale McGee (3.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg)

Outlook: The Black Bears have their work cut out for them as they try and even their record against the 18th-ranked team in this week’s USA Today Coaches Poll. The Wolf Pack is averaging 74.9 points per game and holding opponents to 62.8. Preseason All-American Fazekas is the leading rebounder among Div. I players and the first player in Nevada school history to score 2,000 points. Nevada is the four-time defending Western Athletic Conference champion and, with four starters back, boasts loads of experience. Maine is scoring at a 66.3 ppg clip while opponents are averaging 64.4. Maine must find a way to contain Fazekas without allowing Nevada’s talented backcourt to explode.