Orono, ME -Â The University of Maine men's basketball team hosts UAlbany on Thursday night for Greek Night.
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Last Time Out -- The Black Bears were defeated by New Hampshire on MLK Day, 65-48.
Nine different Black Bears recorded at least two points, led by Keelan Steele's nine points.
Maine hit a season-high 19 free throws in the game.
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. On the season, the Black Bears are the top defense in the America East, allowing 69.1 points per game. That mark is the 63rd-best mark in the NCAA.
Biel Breaks Out -- TJ Biel has been one of the hottest scorers in all of the America East to open up conference play.
On 49/39/70 shooting splits, Biel is averaging 17.6 PPG in his first five America East games, the fourth-highest mark in the conference.
After opening conference play with 20 points against Bryant, he scored a career-high 27 against Bryant before scoring 21 against NJIT. His 22.7 PPG were the most through three games by a Black Bear under Coach Markwood to open conference play.
Impactful Players -- Logan Carey and Ace Flagg have started off conference play putting up season-high averages across the board.
Carey is averaging 7.6 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.6 APG and 2.0 SPG in a season-high 28.6 MPG while Flagg is averaging 5.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG and 1.6 SPG in 21 MPG over the past five games.
Series History -- This will be the 49th meeting all-time between these two opponents.
Maine leads the all-time series 28-20 and has taken five of the six matchups during the Chris Markwood Era. UAlbany did snap a five-game losing streak in the last matchup of the 2024-25 season.
-UMaine-
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