College Basketball
MAINE MEN vs. MARQUETTE
Time, site: Saturday, 2:30 p.m., BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Records: Maine 2-4, Marquette 5-2
Series, last meeting: Marquette leads 4-1, Maine 68-59 on 2/5/97
Key players: Maine — 6-7 F Devine Eke (12.7 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game), 5-10 G Kevin Little (12.3 ppg, 3.2 assists per game), 6-8 F Till Gloger (8.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg), 5-11 G Aaron Calixte (8.3 ppg, 2.3 apg), 6-6 G/F Garet Beal (7.2 ppg), 6-3 G Lavar Harewood (6.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg); Marquette — 6-2 G Duane Wilson (13.9 ppg, 2.6 apg), 6-5 G Jajuan Johnson (8.4 ppg), 6-11 C Luke Fischer (14.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg), 6-11 F Henry Ellenson (15.3 ppg, 9.6 rpg), 6-5 G Hannif Cheatham (10.4 ppg, 2.6 apg), 6-6 F Sandy Cohen (7.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.7 apg)
Game notes: The Black Bears had their hands full during Wednesday’s 84-71 loss to Army and this is likely to be an even stiffer challenge. Marquette of the Big East Conference is riding a four-game winning streak, most recently Wednesday’s 95-49 rout of Grambling. The Golden Eagles own wins over Arizona State and then-No. 22 LSU. Marquette presents physical challenges with two 6-11 frontcourt starters and a couple of 6-5 guards. UMaine had difficulty matching up physically with Army. Freshman forward Issac Vann, the Bears’ top scorer (15.8 ppg), is again questionable with an ankle issue. Eke is coming off an inspired 29-point, 16-rebound performance. Marquette is averaging 83.5 points while shooting 51 percent from the field during its streak. The Golden Eagles are coached by former Duke standout Steve Wojciechowski.
MAINE WOMEN vs. DARTMOUTH
Time, site: Sunday, 2 p.m., Leede Arena, Hanover, New Hampshire
Records: Maine 6-4, Dartmouth 1-5
Series, last meeting: Maine leads 10-4, UM 53-38 on 12/10/14
Key players: Maine — 5-8 G Sigi Koizar (17.1 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game, 4.2 assists per game, 1.7 steals per game, .500 FG pct.), 5-10 G/F Liz Wood (9.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.9 spg), 6-2 F Mikaela Gustafsson (7.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg), 5-10 G Chantel Charles (6.7 ppg), 5-8 Sophie Weckstrom (6.7 ppg, 2.3 apg), 5-11 F Bella Swan (5.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg); Dartmouth (through Dec. 3) — 6-0 F Lakin Roland (12.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg), 6-0 G Kate Letkewicz (11.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg), 6-2 C Olivia Smith (7.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg), 6-1 G/F Fanni Szabo (.7.3 ppg), 6-0 C Daisy Jordan (6.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg)
Game notes: The Black Bears continue their grueling stretch of games with a Sunday matinee against the Big Green. UMaine looks to regroup after a 56-44 setback Friday at Northeastern that halted their three-game winning streak. Dartmouth was scheduled to host Rhode Island on Friday night, then entertain UMaine on Sunday. The Big Green feature good overall size, but have averaged only 57 ppg. Opponents are shooting 44 percent against them. The Black Bears suffered through third-quarter turnover and shooting woes on Friday and continue to search for more offensive consistency.