Men’s Basketball

MAINE vs. NEW HAMPSHIRE

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

Records: Maine 5-8 (0-1 in America East), UNH 3-10 (0-1)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 107-61, UM 59-56 (OT) on 2/19/06

Key players: Maine – 6-1 G Jon Sheets (11.6 ppg, 3.2 apg, 2.6 rpg, 2.2 spg), 6-3 G Kevin Reed (11.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.0 spg), 6-5 G Junior Bernal (11.2 ppg, 3.6 apg, 3.5 rpg), 6-6 F Philippe Tchekane Bofia (8.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg), 6-4 F Chris Bruff (8.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg), 6-6 G Mark Socoby (8.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.0 apg), 6-9 C Brian Andre (6.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg); New Hampshire – 6-8 F Blagoj Janev (13.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg), 6-1 G Jermaine Anderson (13.0 ppg, 3.9 apg, 3.2 ppg), 6-8 F Mike Christensen (12.6 ppg, 5.6 ppg), 6-2 G Tyrece Gibbs (8.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg), 6-1 G Dan McGeary (5.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg)

Outlook: The Black Bears, who haven’t lost to UNH since January of 2003, are looking for their eighth straight win over the Wildcats, who have dropped six of their last eight games. The ‘Cats are being outscored an average of 8.4 points per game (59.5 to 67.9) and outrebounded 35.5 to 30.2. The Bears are averaging 66.0 points for and 66.1 against along with 36.6 rebounds for and 36.4 against per game. Maine will use a rotation of big men to try to wear down Janev while using its quickness and defensive ability to force turnovers and fuel its transition game. This bodes well as UNH is averaging 16 turnovers and Maine is averaging 9.1 steals per game.

Women’s Basketball

MAINE vs. ALBANY

Time, site: Sunday, 2 p.m., Recreation and Convocation Center, Albany, N.Y.

Records: Maine 7-5 (1-0 America East), Albany 5-9 (1-0)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 12-0, Maine 73-56 on 3/9/06

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Bracey Barker (14.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.9 bpg, .935 FT pct.), 5-8 G Ashley Underwood (12.9 ppg, 2.5 apg, 1.6 spg), 6-2 F Katie Whittier (10.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg, .957 FT pct.), 6-1 F Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa (7.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, .578 FG pct.), 5-8 G Kris Younan (7.4 ppg, 2.4 apg), 5-7 G Abby Greene (3.8 ppg, 2.3 apg); Albany – 5-9 G Amanda Ward (11.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.5 spg), 5-11 G Sherri Mikus (9.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.9 spg), 5-8 G Britney McGee (9.1 ppg), 6-1 F Kristin Higy (8.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg), 6-0 G/F Gia Sanders (4.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.9 bpg)

Outlook: After winning their league opener at home, the Bears get back on the bus for the first of three straight AE road contests. UMaine was re-energized Thursday by the return of Barker, who returned from a fractured wrist after missing almost five full games. Albany won 63-59 in overtime Thursday at Binghamton. The Bearcats were picked last in the preseason poll. Now at full strength, UMaine seeks to refine its on-court chemistry at both ends. Whittier has emerged as a dominating force of late while Hugstad-Vaa continues to elevate her play. The Bears also have tightened up their defense, allowing 55 ppg the last two games. UMaine puts its frontcourt-oriented lineup against a guard-laden Albany team that is averaging 10 steals but is scoring only 53 ppg. UMaine leads America East in FG pct. (.426), FT pct. (.753) and 3-point FG pct. (.361).