Women’s basketball

MAINE vs. RIDER

Time, site: Friday, 5:30 p.m.; Alumni Gymnasium, Lawrenceville, N.J.

Records: Maine 0-0 (20-10 last season); Rider 0-0 (9-20 last season)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 1-0; Maine 85-73 on 12/21/03

Key players (last season’s stats): Maine – 6-1 F Bracey Barker (11.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg, .484 FG pct.), 6-3 C Abby Schrader (6.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.2 bpg), 5-8 G Ashley Underwood (8.4 ppg, .925 FT pct., .390 3-pt. pct.), 6-2 C Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa (2.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg), 6-1 F Katie Whittier (1.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg), 5-6 G Margaret Elderton (1.8 ppg); Rider – 5-9 G Kara Borel (8.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.4 spg), 5-8 G Chris Catalanotto (6.0 ppg, 2.4 apg), 5-10 G Monica Wellborn (2.6 ppg), 5-8 G Tammy Trimming (0.4 ppg, 1.1 rpg), 5-9 G Danielle Constantino (1st season)

Outlook: The Bears begin the Ann McInerney era with a road game against the Broncs. It should be a contrast of styles as UMaine pits its sizeable frontcourt against a small, guard-dominated Rider squad. The Bears should expect relentless full-court pressure, so composure running their press-breaker and limiting turnovers that might spark the Broncs’ running game are keys. UMaine hopes to start developing some on-court chemistry with its revamped lineup. Rider, which suffered significant graduation losses, had only seven players for a Nov. 12 exhibition game.

Men’s basketball

William & Mary Tip-Off Classic

MAINE vs. WILLIAM & MARY

Time, site: Friday, 8 p.m.; Williamsburg, Va.

Records: Maine 0-0, William & Mary 0-0

Series, last meeting: first meeting

Key players: Maine (last season’s stats) – 6-2 G Ernest Turner (13.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.8 apg), 6-6 G-F Freddy Petkus (4.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg in 03-04, redshirt last year), 6-10 F-C Olli Ahvenniemi (2.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg), 5-10 G Rashard Turner (14.3 ppg, 4.5 apg, 2.1 spg in junior college), 6-1 G Jon Sheets (13 ppg, 6.0 apg, 2.0 spg in junior college); William & Mary – 6-5 F Corey Cofield (13.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg), 6-8 F Laimis Kisielius (8.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.9 apg), 6-2 G Nathan Mann (7.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.6 apg), 6-5 F Hawley Smith (8.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.1 apg), 6-3 G Adam Payton (sat out 04-05 after transferring from Vanderbilt), 6-10 C Nate Loehrke (4.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 0.7 bpg)

Outlook: The Tribe has an edge in experience over the Black Bears with four starters returning from a team that went 8-21 last season, but 76 percent of the scoring returns with top scorers Cofield and Kisielius leading the way. Tony Shaver has gone 15-42 in his two seasons as the Tribe’s coach, but optimism is high this season. The Tribe is big and the team likes to run the break, so Maine, which is emphasizing speed over size this year, may have to beat W&M at its own game while also trying to offset its height advantage.