Maine @ Connecticut preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 13, 2015 ) Maine 56, Connecticut 100

Connecticut hosts Maine on Sunday following an impressive three-game showing at the Charleston Classic. There, the Huskies blew out Miami and took a ranked Xavier team to double-overtime.

The tournament coincided with the debut of freshman combo-guard James Bouknight, who missed the previous three games due to suspension. But it has been depth that has propelled the team as all 10 active scholarship players played at least 14 minutes against Miami. “We have 10 guys that contribute. Everybody’s ready to play every night. Everybody knows what to do,” junior center Josh Carlton, who averages 13 points and eight rebounds, told the Journal Inquirer. Meanwhile, the Black Bears have struggled to just one Division I win on the season and were limited to a measly 26 points by Virginia.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, SNY

ABOUT MAINE (2-4): After shooting 42 percent from the floor entering the game, Maine made just 18 percent of its field goals against Virginia. Senior forward Andrew Fleming has been the team's main source of offense, averaging 18.2 points, including a 37-point outburst against Merrimack, but even he was silenced to a season-low seven points by the Cavaliers. Guard Sergio El Darwich (11.3) is the only other player to average double-figures, though he has been held to eight points or less in the last three contests.

ABOUT CONNECTICUT (4-2): In Bouknight's first three games, he averaged 13.3 points on 72.7 percent shooting, all of the bench. While Bouknight has stolen the limelight, senior guard Christian Vital has been solid if yet unspectacular, averaging 16 points and is the team’s leading rebounder despite standing at just 6-2. But backcourt mate Alterique Gilbert has struggled, connecting on just four field goals in Charleston, though he continued to be the team’s best facilitator.

TIP-INS

1. Vital is tied for seventh in the nation with 19 steals.

2. UConn freshman Akok Akok is 11th in the nation with 19 blocks.

3. Maine has averaged just 46.7 points in losses this season.

PREDICTION: UConn 88, Maine 60