UMaine capsules

Men’s hockey

MAINE vs. MASSACHUSETTS

Time, site: Saturday, 7 p.m., Sunday, 4 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 8-17-3 (4-14-3 Hockey East); UMass 11-11-6 (6-10-5)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 36-11-5, UMass 5-3 on 2/2/08

Key players: Maine – C Wes Clark (7 goals, 10 assists), D Bret Tyler (6 & 11), RW Rob Bellamy (4 & 10), RW Andrew Sweetland (6 & 5), LW Billy Ryan (4 & 7), D Travis Ramsey (2 & 6), G Ben Bishop (8-17-3, 2.61 GAA, .915 save pct.); UMass – RW James Marcou (8 & 19), C Cory Quirk (6 & 14), LW P.J. Fenton (6 & 14), RW Chris Davis (3 & 13), D Justin Braun (4 & 13), D Mike Kostka (5 & 9), G Paul Dainton (9-10-6, 2.40, .916)

Outlook: In this must-win series for Maine, the Bears, losers of seven straight and winless in eight (0-7-1), will have to neutralize UMass’ speed that generated a 54-shot barrage in the Feb. 2 triumph. Something will have to give as Maine has gone 0-5-1 in its last six league home games while UMass has lost its last six HE road games. UMass’ rink is 10 feet wider than Maine’s. Maine is 3-0-1 in its last four Alfond meetings with the Minutemen. The 5-foot-7 Marcou is one of the nation’s most dynamic freshmen and the 5-9 Quirk has emerged as a constant threat. The Bears will have to be physical and not allow Marcou and Quirk generate speed through the neutral zone. The Bears will also have to shoot the puck more and put more shots on net to try to rattle freshman Dainton, who will be making his Alfond Arena debut. Don’t be surprised if Maine coach Tim Whitehead pulls the goalie in overtime. Ties won’t help Maine.

Men’s basketball

MAINE vs. STONY BROOK

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

Records: Maine 7-19 (3-10 America East); Stony Brook 5-21 (2-12)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 13-4, Stony Brook 75-59 on 1/6/08

Key players: Maine – 6-5 G Mark Socoby (14.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.2 apg), 6-4 G Kaimondre Owes (12.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.5 apg), 6-5 G Junior Bernal (11.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.2 apg), 6-9 C Brian Andre (9.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg), 6-6 F Philippe Tchekane Bofia (6.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg), 6-7 F Sean McNally (5.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg), 6-10 C Jordan Cook (3.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg); Stony Brook – 6-4

G Ricky Lucas (14.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.3 apg), 5-11 G Mitchell Beauford (9.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.1 apg), 5-11 G Michael Tyree (7.5 ppg), 6-6 F Demetrius Young (7.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg), 6-9 C Emanuel Neto (6.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg), 6-1 G Eddie Castellanos (2.7 ppg, 2.5 apg), 6-1 G Nick Carter (6.5 ppg)

Outlook: The banged-up Black Bears got Jordan Cook back in the lineup last week and will need big efforts in the paint from him, Bofia and McNally to offset the absence of Bernal and Andre if they’re unable to come back from a foot injury and broken nose, respectively. Both are day-to-day. Maine’s big problem is still turnovers (18.8 per game). If they take care of the ball, it’ll go a long way toward avenging an earlier loss to the Seawolves (13.8 turnovers per game). Maine’s per-game scoring average is 64.2, but it has averaged just 56.3 the last three games. Maine has lost six of its last seven, but SBU has dropped 11 of 12.

Women’s basketball

MAINE vs. BINGHAMTON

Time, site: Saturday, 2 p.m.; Events Center, Vestal, N.Y.

Records: Maine 7-18 (4-8 AE); Binghamton 8-16 (6-5)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 9-4, Maine 63-50 on 2/2/08

Key players: Maine – 6-0 F Brittany Boser (9.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, .497 FG pct), 5-11 F Tanna Ross (9.1 ppg), 5-9 G/F Amanda Tewksbury (8.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg), 5-6 G Kris Younan (5.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.1 spg), 6-4 F/C Christina Mosher (4.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg); Binghamton – 6-2 C Laine Kurpniece (12.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg), 5-10 G Erica Carter (10.0 ppg, 3.5 ppg), 6-2 F Laura Franceski (9.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg, .500 FG pct.), 6-1 G Laura Sario (9.8 ppg, 3.3 apg), 6-1 F Brianna Thompson (5.8 ppg)

Outlook: Coming off Wednesday’s loss at Boston U., the Black Bears enter today’s game in seventh place in the AE standings. UMaine continues to deal with knee injuries to freshmen Ross and Emily Rousseau, the latter of whom has missed two straight games. Since the Bears are limited at the guard spots, they have been prone to frequent turnovers. The Bearcats, who occupy fifth place, have produced much more offense since the loss in Orono. Binghamton features good overall height, but struggled to score consistently from inside against UMaine’s matchup zone in the first meeting. In conference play, the Bearcats rank first in FG pct. (.429) and 3-point FG pct. (.406). However, Binghamton also has been turnover-prone, so the team that takes care of the ball and capitalizes on transition chances could have the upper hand.