MAINE MEN vs. HARVARD

Time, site: Saturday, 2 p.m., Memorial Gymnasium, “The Pit,” Orono

Records: Maine 2-2, Harvard 1-3

Series, last meeting: Harvard leads 4-1, Maine 89-78 on 12/2/03

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Kevin Reed (9.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg), 6-2 G Ernest Turner (12.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.5 apg), 6-3 G Chris Markwood (8.8 ppg, 3.3 apg, 2.8 rpg), 6-7 F-G Joe Campbell (8.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 6-9 F David Dubois (5.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg), 6-11 F Mark Flavin (4.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg); Harvard – 7-0 C Brian Cusworth (16.5 ppg, 10.3 rpg), 6-8 F Matt Stehle (13.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg), 6-4 G Kevin Rogus (9.8 ppg), 6-3 G-F Jason Norman (4.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg), 6-1 G David Giovacchini (5.3 ppg, 4.5 apg)

Outlook: The Crimson continue their early season America East swing after beating Northeastern by 10 and losing to New Hampshire in overtime. Harvard has plenty of size and athleticism in the frontcourt, making this game potentially a battle between its frontcourt and Maine’s guards – the teams’ respective strengths. The Black Bears will want to run and play the game at a higher tempo while Harvard would prefer a halfcourt-style game. The packed-in atmosphere of “The Pit” should give Maine a more pronounced home court edge, both in terms of crowd noise and comfort, since it’s where the Bears practice. Reed is just three 3-pointers shy of Matt Rossignol’s 15-year-old career school record (167).

MAINE WOMEN vs. BUFFALO

Time, site: Saturday, 5 p.m.; Alumni Arena, Buffalo, N.Y.

Records: Maine 2-3; Buffalo 1-3

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 2-1, Maine 78-72 on 1/4/03

Key players: Maine – 5-7 G Missy Traversi (12.4 ppg), 6-0 F Monica Peterson (10.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg, .531 FG pct.), 6-1 F Bracey Barker (7.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, .857 FT pct.), 6-3 C Abby Schrader (7.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.1 bpg), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (7.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.2 apg, 2.2 spg), 5-9 G Ashley Underwood (6.0 ppg, .938 FT pct.); Buffalo – 5-9 G Allison Bennett (8.5 ppg, 1.000 FT pct.), 5-9 G Brooke Meunier (7.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg), 6-0 F Heather Turner (7.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, .611 FG pct.), 6-3 F Viorica Badinici (6.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg), 5-8 G Stephanie Bennett (5.8 ppg, 2.5 apg, 2.0 spg)

Outlook: The Black Bears look for their third straight win, but do so back on the road. UMaine is coming off two solid performances in winning the Dead River Classic, but needs more consistency on defense, especially from its frontcourt. Buffalo has struggled thus far, averaging only 45 points per game while surrendering 74 ppg on foes’ 49 percent FG shooting. The Bulls are coming off a 71-44 loss Wednesday at America East member Northeastern. UMaine wants to take advantage of the inside play of Schrader and Barker against a guard-oriented Buffalo squad. The Bears will try to control the rebounding and get to the foul line in the hope of returning home with a .500 record.