Men’s Basketball
MAINE vs. ALBANY
Time, site: Friday, noon, Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Records: Maine 5-11 (1-2 America East), Albany 14-4 (3-0)
Series, last meeting: Albany leads 17-12, Albany 83-66 on 3/4/15
Key players: Maine — 5-10 G Kevin Little (14.4 points per game, 2.9 assists per game, 1.4 steals per game), 6-7 F Devine Eke (11.3 ppg, 7.1 rebounds per game, .667 FG pct.), 6-8 F Till Gloger (8.7 ppg), 5-11 G Aaron Calixte (8.0 ppg, 2.5 apg), 6-2 G Lavar Harewood (6.8 ppg, .410 3-pt. FG pct), 6-5 G Shaun Lawton (7.9 ppg, 2.3 apg, 1.9 spg); Albany — 6-1 G Evan Singletary (12.8 ppg, 2.9 apg), 6-4 G Peter Hooley (11.2 ppg, 3.9 apg), 6-4 G Ray Sanders (11. ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.6 spg), 6-4 G Joe Cremo (10.9 ppg), 6-8 F Mike Rowley (8.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg)
Game notes: The Black Bears get the chance to make a statement against the two-time defending conference champion Great Danes. UMaine should have gained an emotional boost from its 95-81 win Tuesday at UMass Lowell, but will have its collective hands full with a UAlbany ballclub that has won seven in a row. The Great Danes outlasted New Hampshire 80-75 in overtime on Tuesday. UAlbany has won six straight and 10 of the last 11 against UMaine. The Bears are likely to go after the Great Danes with pressure defense, but UAlbany excels in transition and is adept at getting to the free-throw line, where it shoots 73 percent. UMaine’s .611 FT percentage ranks 337th among 346 Division I teams. The Bears continue to struggle with defense, allowing a league-high 86.1 ppg, and turnovers (17.6 per game). UAlbany gives up 64.6 ppg.