MAINE women vs. BOSTON UNIVERSITY

Time, site: Thursday, 7 p.m.; Case Gym, Boston

Records: Maine (15-5, 10-3 America East); Boston U. (6-15, 4-9)

Series: Maine leads 23-13

Key players: Maine – 5-9 G Cindy Blodgett (27.5 ppg, 4.9 apg, 4.8 rpg), 6-4 C Jamie Cassidy (18.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.6 bpg), 6-1 F Klara Danes (9.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg), 5-9 G/F Sandi Carver (7.6 ppg), 5-7 G Amy Vachon (6.6 ppg, 7.1 apg, 4.2 rpg, 2.4 spg); Boston University – 5-7 G Jamie Nicholls (14.0 ppg), 6-2 F Alison Dixon (12.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg), 5-9 F Kelly Jo Gallagher (11.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.0 apg), 6-2 C Alicia Charles (10.4 ppg, 8.0 rpg), 5-3 G Cara Millett (5.8 ppg, 5.1 apg).

Outlook: Maine, which ended its skid with two wins last weekend, opens a three-game road trip at BU. The Bears, who thumped the Terriers 80-58 Jan. 2 in Orono, have displayed better ball movement and an improved fast break of late. Blodgett aggravated her foot injury in that game. The BU defense, which has allowed 66.6 ppg on 45-percent shooting, should be no match for Maine’s high-powered attack. The Terriers feature outstanding scoring balance, including a steady 3-point presence, but are not blessed with much depth. With a victory tonight, sixth-year Maine coach Joanne Palombo-McCallie would tie Eilene Fox (1975-83) for the program’s career mark for coaching victories with 118.

MAINE men vs. BOSTON UNIVERSITY

Time, site: Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 6-16 (3-11 America East), Boston U. 12-10 (7-6)

Series: Boston U leads 35-31

Key players: Maine – 6-1 G Fred Meeks (19.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg), 6-1 G Marcus Wills (19.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg), 6-6 F Allen Ledbetter (16.0 ppg, 11.3 rpg), 6-7 F Colin Haynes (7.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg), 5-11 G Dade Faison (4.5 ppg, 5.3 apg); Boston University – 5-11 G LeVar Folk (10.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg), 6-4 F Mike Costello (8.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg), 6-6 F Walter Brown (14.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg), 6-2 G Billy Beal (12.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg), 6-10 F Joey Beard (12.9 ppg, 8.8 rpg)

Outlook: In their last meeting, the Black Bears were victimized by the career-best scoring of Beal (26) and rebounding of Beard (16) in a 79-64 loss. This time, the Bears will have their hands full with that pair and the rest of the Terriers’ well-balanced attack. Beard is the toughest matchup as a tall, skilled player who can shoot as well as slash to the hoop. The Black Bears will need top-notch performances from guards Meeks and Wills, and the Bears haven’t gotten big output from both in the same contest in more than a month. Ledbetter has been a rock for the Bears, and is one of the most dominant big men in the conference. When BU doubles him, he’s got to remain confident and make good decisions.