UMaine capsules

Men’s basketball

MAINE vs. VERMONT

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

Records: Maine 5-10 (1-1 America East); Vermont 7-9 (2-2)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 68-46, Vermont 90-75 on 2/14/07

Key players: Maine – 6-5 G Mark Socoby (12.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.2 apg), 6-5 G Junior Bernal (12.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.6 apg), 6-9 C Brian Andre (10.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg), 6-4 G Kaimondre Owes (9.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg), 6-6 F Philippe Tchekane Bofia (6.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg), 6-10 F-C Jordan Cook (4.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg); Vermont – 6-1 G Mike Trimboli (19.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.6 apg), 6-5 F Marqus Blakely (18.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.1 bpg), 6-4 G Kyle Cieplicki (10.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.1 apg), 6-8 F Colin McIntosh (7.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg), 6-6 F Timothy McCrory (5.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg), 6-1 G Nick Vier (4.9 ppg, 2.8 apg)

Outlook: The youthful Black Bears are coming off one of their biggest wins and best overall efforts this season on the road against UMBC and have a chance to really gain some momentum against conference power Vermont. Maine’s strength is in its size and rebounding (38.3 per game), but Vermont can match up, height-wise. The Bears are shooting well at 41.7 percent, but still must cut down on turnovers (19.3 per game). The Catamounts are averaging 71.1 points and 34.0 rebounds per game. Vermont has won both of its conference games at home while losing both AE games on the road.

Women’s basketball

MAINE vs. STONY BROOK

Time, site: Wednesday, 7 p.m.; SBU Complex, Stony Brook, N.Y.

Records: Maine 4-11 (1-1 America East); Stony Brook 5-10 (0-2)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 7-6, Stony Brook 67-56 on 3/3/07

Key players: Maine – 5-11 F Tanna Ross (9.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg, .367 3-pt. FG pct.), 6-0 F Brittany Boser (9.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, .523 FG pct.), 5-8 G Emily Rousseau (9.4 ppg, .387 3-pt. FG pct.), 6-0 F Colleen Kilmurray (8.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg), 5-9 F Amanda Tewksbury (5.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg), 5-6 G Kris Younan (5.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.3 spg); Stony Brook – 6-0 G Aly Young (10.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.5 spg), 6-1 F Dana Ferraro (9.7 ppg, 9.3 rpg), 5-10 F Kirsten Jeter (6.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg), 5-8 F Jodie Plikus (5.8 ppg), 5-9 G Kairsten Nunn (5.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg)

Outlook: Coach Cindy Blodgett’s Black Bears turn around and head to Long Island, hoping to erase the memory of Sunday’s poor performance at Albany. UMaine is searching for consistency and chemistry while playing on the road for the ninth time in 10 games. Stony Brook is another relatively young squad with a new coach (Michele Cherry). The Seawolves have lost four of their last five, including Saturday’s 61-56 setback at UMBC. SBU is led by senior Ferraro, one of the league’s most tenacious rebounders. UMaine’s challenges are likely to include handling the ball against full-court pressure and facing a team with decent overall quickness and depth. If the Bears can keep their turnovers in check, play sound transition defense and rebound hard, they have a chance to win.