MAINE vs. HARTFORD

Time, site: Wednesday, 7 p.m.; Chase Arena, West Hartford, Conn.

Records: Maine 6-15 (2-6 America East), Hartford 11-13 (5-4)

Series, last meeting: Hartford leads 27-24; Hartford 76-71 on 1/21/08

Key players: Maine – 6-5 G Mark Socoby (13.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.2 apg), 6-4 G Kaimondre Owes (11.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.7 apg), 6-5 G Junior Bernal (11.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.3 apg), 6-10 C Brian Andre (10.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg), 6-6 F Philippe Tchekane Bofia (6.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg), 6-6 F Sean McNally (4.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg); Hartford – 6-0 G Joe Zeglinski (15.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.8 apg), 6-6 F Warren McLendon (12.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg), 6-2 G Jaret Von Rosenberg (9.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3,1 apg), 6-7 F Morgan Sabia (9.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg), 6-5 G-F Michael Turner (8.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg 3.5 apg, 2.2 spg)

Outlook: If the Hawks shoot 51 percent from the field against Maine like they did at Orono in their last meeting, the Black Bears will have their third straight loss. That’s not likely, so if the Bears again outrebound Hartford and commit fewer turnovers, they’ll be tough to beat. The Hawks are averaging 72.4 ppg to Maine’s 64.7. Maine is giving up 70.8 ppg to Hartford’s 76.4. If it comes down to turnovers, Maine must commit fewer than its 18.9 per-game average because Hartford is almost four lower per game at 15. The key individuals are Turner and Socoby. Turner makes his team go and Socoby must score for Maine to be successful. Perimeter shooting by Maine will keep Hartford from ganging up on Andre.