UMaine capsules

Men’s basketball

MAINE vs. BINGHAMTON

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

Records: Maine 6-3 (2-4 America East); Binghamton 9-10 (5-2)

Series, last meeting: Binghamton leads 8-6; BU 67-40 on 2/11/07

Key players: Maine – 6-5 G Mark Socoby (13.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.2 apg), 6-4 G Kaimondre Owes (12.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.8 apg), 6-5 G Junior Bernal (11.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.4 apg), 6-9 C Brian Andre (10.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg), 6-6 F Philippe Bofia (6.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg), 6-7 F Sean McNally (4.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg); Binghamton – 6-8 F Lazar Trifunovic (15.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.8 apg), 6-0 G Mike Gordon (12.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.2 spg), 6-0 G Richard Forbes (12.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.6 apg), 6-3 G Dwayne Jackson (7.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg), 6-6 F Reggie Fuller (5.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 6-7 F Milos Klimovic (4.2 ppg)

Outlook: Consistency has been the Black Bears’ buzzword all season, and earning their first conference win at home would go a long way toward that goal after road wins against UMBC and Albany the last two weeks. To that end, Maine must continue its solid play on the boards (36.7 rebounds per game) while also utilizing better ball movement and cutting down turnovers (18.8 a game). The America East-leading Bearcats are looking for their fifth straight win. BU is averaging 67.6 points, 31.4 rebounds, and just 13.6 turnovers per game. Jackson has scored in double digits five straight games. Maine will have to guard the perimeter as BU leads AE teams with 48 percent shooting from 3-point range.

Women’s basketball

MAINE vs. VERMONT

Time, site: Saturday, 1 p.m.; Patrick Gym, Burlington, Vt.

Records: Maine 5-13 (2-3 America East); Vermont 13-5 (4-1)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 46-24; Vermont 70-57 on 3/9/07

Key players: Maine – 5-11 F Tanna Ross (10.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg), 6-0 F Brittany Boser (9.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg, .519 FG pct., .842 FT pct.), 5-8 G Emily Rousseau (8.3 ppg, 1.9 apg), 6-0 F Colleen Kilmurray (7.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg), 5-9 G/F Amanda Tewksbury (6.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg), 5-6 G Kris Younan (5.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.4 spg); Vermont – 6-1 G Courtnay Pilypaitis (14.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 5.4 apg, 1.6 spg), 5-9 G Amy Rosenkrantz (13.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.4 apg), 5-10 G May Kotsopoulos (11.6 ppg), 6-2 F Tonya Young (5.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg), 5-9 G Sofia Iwobi (4.5 ppg)

Outlook: The Bears hope to harness the offensive momentum generated from Wednesday’s win over Boston University. Maine will try to end Vermont’s five-game win streak in the series. Guard-oriented UVM excels by forcing the tempo and taking advantage of transition opportunities. UMaine also likely will have to negotiate full-court pressure, which has posed it some problems this season. Keys for the Bears are limiting second-chance points and turnovers. The Catamounts have won three straight, including Wednesday’s 72-64 victory over New Hampshire. Vermont is 8-1 at home this season. UVM’s Young initially signed to play at Maine but bailed out after former coach Ann McInerney stepped down.