Assignment 6-1: Campus Event

Nick Acheson
February 19, 2010

Although the Umaine Hockey is getting a lot of publicity for being near the top of the Hockey East, and rightfully so, there is another Umaine team that is performing way higher than expectations. The University of Maine Black Bears men’s basketball team has been having a great season, thus far.

After a 72 to 53 win last night over the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH the team has a 17-9 overall record along with a 9-4 record in the America East. Not what most fans have come to expect from the Umaine men’s basketball team. Over the previous two seasons, the team had an America East record of 7 wins and 25 losses. So it might be an understatement to say that this season is the best season the men’s basketball team has seen in years. About a month ago, the team was talked about on ESPN as one of four teams that have never made the NCAA tournament, that have the best chance to make it this year.

The Black Bears are currently in third place in America East standings trailing Stony Brook with an 11-2 record and Vermont at 11-3. Late in the season, every game becomes that much more important.

Starting on February 21, the team has 2 important home games against America East opponents. This Sunday the Black Bears will be playing the University of Hartford Hawks at 2 p.m. at Alfond Arena in Orono, ME. Youth tickets are only $2, and the game is being televised by WABI TV 5 news. Then on February 24 at 7:30 p.m. the team is hosting the University of Albany at Alfond Arena.

Fans should come out and support the men’s basketball team in Orono on either Sunday’s game, Wednesday night’s game, or both. All University of Maine students get in free and Adult tickets are just $8.