Last Time Out -- The Black Bears were defeated by Ohio on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 79-57. Keelan Steele led the way with 14 points. He added three rebounds, a block and a steal to his stat line while shooting 75% from the field and going 2-for-2 from the free throw line. Logan Carey made it three-straight games of scoring double-digit points as he had 10 points on 50% shooting from the field. He had four rebounds, a pair of assists and three steals. The Black Bears shot 41.8% from the field and forced 11 turnovers on the night.

Lean on the Defense -- Since Chris Markwood was named the Head Coach of the Black Bears prior to the 2022-23 season, the defensive side of the ball has been a staple of the recent success that the Maine program has seen over the past few seasons. In 2024-25, Maine concluded the season with the 33rd ranked defense in all of the NCAA as they allowed only 66.1 points per game. To open the 2025-26 season, Maine is allowing just 68.1 points per game, the 85th best mark in the NCAA. The Black Bears currently have the 15th best three-point defense in the country, allowing just 26.1% of three-pointers to fall.

Big Production by Biel -- TJ Biel has asserted himself as the leading option on the offensive end of the floor for the Black Bears in the early part of the season as one of the many new additions to the squad for the 2025-26 season. He is averaging 12.2 PPG, the 12th-highest mark in the America East, on 45/35/76 shooting splits. He also leads the team with 15 blocks and is tied for the team lead with 47 rebounds.

First Year Impact -- Bashir N'Galang and Ace Flagg have carved out solid minutes in their first taste of collegiate basketball and both of them are turning out solid numbers. N'Galang leads the duo in scoring as he is averaging 5.3 PPG while Flagg is averaging 4.7 PPG. Flagg is tied with Biel for the team lead in rebounds with 47 while Galang leads the team in assists with 20.

Preseason #2 -- The Black Bears enter the 2025-26 season being picked in a tie for second in the America East preseason poll, their highest ranking in over 20 years. Maine made their first America East Championship game appearance last season since the 2003-04 season, a game they ultimately fell in to the Bryant Bulldogs.

Feels like the First Time -- This will be the first matchup in program history between Maine and Miami.

-UMaine-

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