Women’s Basketball
MAINE vs. YALE
Time, site: Wednesday, 7 p.m., John J. Lee Amphitheater, New Haven, Connecticut
Records: Maine 8-5, Yale 4-8
Series, last meeting: tied 1-1, Yale 86-85 on 1/5/14
Key players: Maine — 5-8 G Sigi Koizar (14.7 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, 2.8 assists per game, 1.9 steals per game), 5-10 F Liz Wood (13.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.8 spg), 6-4 F Anna Heise (7.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg), 5-8 G Sophie Weckstrom (6.1 ppg), 6-2 F Mikaela Gustafsson (3.4 ppg), 5-11 F Bella Swan (2.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg); Yale — 5-9 G Sarah Halejian (14.9 ppg, 4.3 apg), 6-1 F Katie Werner (10.2 ppg, 65. rpg), 5-10 G Tamara Simpson (7.5 ppg), 6-0 G Nyasha Sarju (6.3 ppg), 6-1 F Meredith Boardman (6.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg)
Game notes: This is the last nonconference game of the season for the Black Bears, who could tally nine nonleague wins for the first time since 1990-1991. The Black Bears are coming off Saturday’s 49-43 loss to three-time defending America East champ Albany. The Bulldogs of the Ivy League return home for the first time since Dec. 6 after five straight on the road, including three consecutive losses. Yale lost 71-54 at Oklahoma on Dec. 30 and has play a testy nonleague schedule. The Bulldogs edged the Bears on a buzzer-beater last season in Bangor. Yale is UMaine’s fourth Ivy opponent this season after beating Harvard, Dartmouth and Brown. UMaine must take care of the ball and control the tempo against a Yale team that is forcing 17.1 turnovers per game.
Men’s Basketball
MAINE vs. VERMONT
Time, site: Wednesday, 7 p.m., Portland Expo, Portland
Records: Maine 1-12 (0-1 America East), Vermont 5-8 (1-0)
Series, last meeting: Maine leads 70-59, Vermont 93-65 on 2/4/14
Key players: Maine — 6-8 F Till Gloger (11.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg), 6-5 G Zarko Valjarevic (10.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg), 6-5 G Shaun Lawton (10.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.0 spg), 5-10 G Kevin Little (8.5 ppg, 2.1 apg), 5-11 G Aaron Calixte (7.9 ppg, 3.5 apg); Vermont — 6-9 F Ethan O’Day (10.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.0 blocks per game), 6-7 F Hector Harold (10.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg), 6-2 G Trae Bell-Haynes (9.5 ppg, 2.7 apg), 6-6 F Kurt Steidl (8.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg), 6-1 G Dre Wills (7.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg)
Game notes: The Black Bears hope to treat their southern Maine fan base to a victory with a “home” game in Portland. UMaine continues to search for more consistency and effectiveness on the defensive end, having given up 80.5 ppg while allowing opponents to shoot 52 percent from the field. The Bears have lost seven straight, including Saturday’s 80-56 AE decision at Albany. Vermont recently held its own in road losses to USC and UC Santa Barbara. The Catamounts have been the AE’s most efficient offensive team (.453 FG pct.) and lead the league while holding opponents to .398 FG shooting. UMaine should benefit from the scouting help of assistant coach Matt O’Brien, who served six seasons on the UVM staff before joining Bob Walsh at UMaine.