Men’s basketball

MAINE vs. ALBANY

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

Records: Maine 11-12 (6-5 in America East); Albany 17-7 (10-2)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 6-5, Albany 82-73, Jan. 11

Key players: Maine – 6-3 G Kevin Reed (13.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg), 6-1 G Jon Sheets (11.7 ppg, 3.0 apg, 2.4 rpg), 6-5 G Junior Bernal (10.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.0 apg), 6-4 F Chris Bruff (9.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg), 6-6 G Mark Socoby (7.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg), 6-6 F Philippe Tchekane Bofia (7.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg); Albany – 6-1 G Jamar Wilson (18.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.0 apg), 6-4 G/F Jason Siggers (14.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.3 apg), 6-8 F Brent Wilson (11.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg), 6-5 G/F Brian Lillis (6.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 5-9 G Jon Iati (6.7 ppg), 6-8 F Brian Connelly (4.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg)

Outlook: The Black Bears have won six of their last seven games and three games behind second-place Albany. A win would do wonders for Maine’s already increasing confidence and establish the Bears as a legitimate top three or four conference team. Maine must continue to pound the boards effectively with its gang-rebounding approach; play tough, man-to-man defense; and shoot well from the field to notch its first win over the Danes in two years. Maine is averaging 66.5 points and 35.3 rebounds per game, but also 13.9 turnovers. The Great Danes have been just that lately, winning seven straight and nine of their last ten. Albany’s averaging 68.9 points, 34.1 rebounds and 13.6 turnovers per game.

Women’s basketball

MAINE vs. ALBANY

Time, site: Wednesday, noon, Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 10-10 (4-5), Albany 7-15 (3-6)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 13-0, Maine 57-52 on 2/7/07

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Bracey Barker (14.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.6 bpg, .921 FT pct.), 5-8 G Ashley Underwood (13.7 ppg, .364 3-pt. pct.), 6-2 F Katie Whittier (9.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, .531 FG pct.), 5-8 G Kris Younan (6.7 ppg, 3.3 apg, 1.1 spg), 5-7 G Abby Greene (3.9 ppg, 2.6 apg), 6-1 F Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa (8.2 ppg, .552 FG pct.); Albany – 5-9 G Amanda Ward (11.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg), 6-1 F Kristin Higy (9.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg), 5-11 G Sherri Mikus (9.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg), 5-8 G Britney McGee (8.8 ppg), 6-0 G/F Gia Sanders (6.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.0 bpg)

Outlook: The Bears, who have lost two in a row and five of their last seven, need to start putting it all together. UMaine comes into the game tied for fourth, but that only puts it one game out of the cellar in the bunched-up AE standings. The Great Danes have lost four straight and six of eight, including Saturday’s 70-60 setback to Binghamton. UMaine needs to attack the basket hard and have everybody be willing to take shots when they’re open. The post players must set the tone by playing strong inside. The Bears also need to take care of the ball against an Albany squad adept at getting steals. Albany has nice balance, but isn’t a prolific offensive team. The Danes instead rely on scrappy defense, aggressive rebounding and their ability to score in transition.