Will Vermont Look Past UMaine Like Maine did Binghamton?

Will the Vermont Catamounts be ripe for the pickens, like UMaine was last Saturday against Binghamon?

Maine coming off a 57-56 loss to last place Binghamton on Saturday and Vermont coming off a big upset win over Stonybrook 81-73.

Vermont moved into a 3 way tie for first place in America East at 5-1 with Albany and Stonybrook, while Maine hovers in the low middle of the standings at 2-3.

Will the Catmounts be looking by the Black Bears? With only two starters averaging double figures at 10 points and with some injury problems, Vermont could be ready for a let down against the Bears.

Statistically Vermont is ahead of Maine in shooting percentages in 2 categories.

Both teams are shooting 42% from the floor. Vermont is shooting 71% from the line to Maine’s 67&

It is from the 3 point line where Vermont has an advantage. They are shooting 35% to Maines’s dismal 26%.

Vermont has committed an average of 14 turnovers per game to Maine’s 15.9.

Vermont has averaged 15 assists per game to Maine’s 13.

Vermont has also been plagued by too much fouling as they average 18.5 personal fouls per game to Maine’s 21.9.

Both teams are averaging in the mid 60’s on offense per game.

Maine probably will face some type of Zone Defense until they can prove that they can make open 3’s.

On paper this should be a very close game and Maine has the home court advantage.

The key will be can Maine make open 3 pointers so that they can open up the inside game for Ali Fraser.

If Candon Rusin who had a casreer high 25 points against Binghamton and Clancy Rugg scored 19 points along with hauling down 19 rebounds have big games like they did against Stonybrook then Maine could be in big trouble, if they don;’t hit some 3’s.

Also, which team committs the fewest fouls and turnovers will probably win this important AE Conference game.