Orono, ME - The University of Maine men's basketball team wraps up their six-game road trip at Boston University on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
 

Last Time Out -- The Black Bears were defeated by Miami (OH) last time out, 93-61.

Keelan Steele set a new career-high as he scored 15 points on 75% shooting from the field.

TJ Biel had a pair of blocks and a steal while Logan Carey had four assists, five points and two steals.

Maine forced 15 turnovers.

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 71.4 points per game, the third-best mark in the America East and it puts them in the top half of the NCAA. The Black Bears currently have the 44th best three-point defense in the country, allowing just 28.6% of three-pointers to fall, which is the best mark in the America East.

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 11.6 PPG, the 14th-highest mark in the America East, on 44/35/76 shooting splits. He also leads the team with 17 blocks and in rebounds with 51.

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.

They are both tied in scoring with 4.8 PPG. Flagg is second on the team in rebounds with 48 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.

Former Rivals -- This will be the 105th meeting all-time between these two long-time conference rivals.

Boston University picked up the win last season, 59-56. The Black Bears took the matchup in 2023 as they won 74-65. The two sides have split the series over the last 14 games, each picking up seven victories.

Maine	Statistics	Boston University
59.0	PPG	75.9
71.2	OPPG	76.2
43.1%	FG%	49.6%
31.2%	3PT%	41.3%
60.3%	FT%	67.3%
28.5	RPG	31.1
10.2	APG	15.6
7.9	SPG	5.5
3.8	BPG	3.3
42-62	Head-to-Head	62-42

-UMaine-

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