Women’s basketball

MAINE vs. BOSTON UNIVERSITY

Time, site: Saturday, 1 p.m.; Case Gym, Boston

Records: Maine 12-11 (6-6 America East), Boston U. 13-12 (5-7)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 39-20; Maine 78-73 on 1/20/07

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Bracey Barker (15.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, .925 FT pct.), 5-8 G Ashley Underwood (14.9 ppg, 395 3-pt. pct.), 6-2 F Katie Whittier (9.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg), 6-1 F Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa (8.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg, .542 FG pct.), 5-8 G Kris Younan (6.2 ppg, 3.3 apg), 5-7 G Abby Greene (4.0 ppg, 2.7 apg); BU – 5-9 G Katie Meinhardt (12.2 ppg), 6-0 F Erica Kovach (10.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.9 apg), 6-1 F Aly Hinton (9.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg), 5-7 G Cheri Raffo (9.4 ppg), 5-10 G Kristi Dini (7.5 ppg)

Outlook: The Bears need a victory to restore their confidence after Tuesday’s disappointing loss to Vermont. UMaine sits fourth in the AE standings, while BU is fifth. The Bears have to play better defense against the Terriers, and in general. These are the two most forgiving defenses in league play. UMaine needs to attack the basket and get to the foul line while keeping BU off the stripe. Barker leads the nation with a .925 FT pct. and the Bears are seventh at .778. Hinton has given BU a strong post presence of late, while the Terriers also have a handful of 3-point threats. UMaine should pound the ball inside to Barker and have Underwood continue her aggressive play off the dribble. If the Bears can start strong and build a lead, it should help neutralize the home crowd. They can’t afford to keep committing turnovers (18.2 per contest).

Men’s basketball

MAINE vs. NORTHEASTERN

Time, site: Saturday, 1 p.m.; Matthews Arena, Boston

Records: Maine 11-15, Northeastern 9-18

Series, last meeting: NU leads 62-46; NU 86-73 on 3/6/05

Key players: Maine – 6-3 G Kevin Reed (13.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg), 6-1 G Jon Sheets (10.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.0 apg), 6-5 G Junior Bernal (10.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.9 apg), 6-4 G Chris Bruff (10.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg), 6-6 F Philippe Tchekane Bofia (7.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg), 6-6 G Mark Socoby (6.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg); Northeastern – 6-9 F Bennet Davis (14.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.4 apg), 6-4 G/F Matt Janning (11.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg), 6-3 G Bobby Kelly (10.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.4 apg), 6-2 G Adrian Martinez (9.9 ppg, 3.0 apg), 6-8 F Eugene Spates (7.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg), 6-8 F Manny Adako (5.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg)

Outlook: This “ESPNU Bracket Buster” nonconference game lacks some luster as both teams have lost four of their last six games. Both are trying to right their respective ships two weeks before conference tournaments start. The Huskies are averaging 61.1 points and 29.4 rebounds per game, but allowing 67.6 ppg and 36.3 rpg. The Huskies are averaging 12.9 turnovers to Maine’s 13.5, but turnovers aren’t the Bears’ main concern after three straight subpar shooting and rebounding games. Maine must get back to basics and box out while using its gang rebounding strategy to control tempo and revive a stagnant transition game.

Women’s hockey

MAINE vs. BOSTON UNIVERSITY

Time, site: Saturday, Sunday, noon; Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 9-17-2 (4-12-2 Hockey East); BU 17-10-3 (8-7-2)

Series, last meeting: tied 2-2, BU 3-0 on 1/27/07

Key players: Maine – C Vanessa Vani (11 goals, 14 assists), LW Sonia Corriveau (14 & 9), C Brigitte Laflamme (9 & 12), RW Robyn Law (9 & 10), C Katie Sunstrum (7 & 6), D Kelly Law (4 & 9), G Genevieve Turgeon (6-13-1, 3.56 GAA, .903 save pct.); Boston University – C Melissa Anderson (10 & 18), LW Erin Seman (15 & 12), RW Cara Hendry (10 & 13), RW Gina Kearns (13 & 9), D Julie Poulin (3 & 8), G Allyse Wilcox (9-7-1, 2.48, .914), G Melissa Haber (8-3-2, 2.12, .909)

Outlook: BU desperately needs to win both games as the Terriers are five points out of the fourth and final Hockey East playoff spot with four games left. Maine is out of the playoff picture, but would like to finish strong and set the foundation for next season. Sunday will be Senior Day and the Maine seniors would love to conclude their careers with three more wins. Maine is coming off a sweep at Vermont and will have to establish a net-front presence. The Bears also have to continue to play well in the defensive zone and stay out of the penalty box. The Terriers have 24 freshmen and sophomores. Poulin transferred from Maine.