Seen this movie

Black Bears games have started to follow a familiar story line: sloppy ball-handling, extended dry spells and very little offensive or defensive continuity ... especially on their own home floor. Let's hope the club can get it rectified before Binghamton comes calling Saturday. It'll get ugly in a hurry if the play of late continues into the America East season.

If the Black Bears hope to make an improvement and climb into the middle of the pack of America East, they can't continue to lose home games. it's a habit that must be broken.

As the missed games piled up for sophomore forward Malachi Peay, it became clear his injury against Quinnipiac must have been pretty severe. Sans any information, fans are left to speculate. Today, our speculations (broken jaw) were confirmed. Hopefully, Peay can get back on the floor and provide a lift to the club.

Coach Ted Woodward also confirmed that freshman Jon McAlian will redshirt.

We'll take it

Hey, a 26-point loss to the No. 5 team in the country ... after trailing by 23 at halftime? We'll take it. Despite struggling with the Oklahoma's defensive pressure all night, the Black Bears kept the game from becoming a replay of last year's "guarantee" games. In fact, the Sooners only scored about 15 more points in the game than its football team has averaged the past five weeks. The rebounding totals would indicate the Black Bears continued to compete even if the game's outcome was sealed in the first 10 minutes.

On the Table

According to a story published today, South Portland's Keegan Hyland, a 6-4 junior guard, has been offered scholarships by UMaine and Boston University.

TO Baby

The Black Bears got away with 23 turnovers in their 100 Club championship game win over Kennesaw State a couple weeks ago. UMaine didn't get away with it Saturday night in Mobile, Ala. The Black Bears served up 20 turnovers and utimately gave up a 15-point, second-half lead in a 66-56 loss to Tulane.

It's only seven games into the season, but with individual games of 19, 20 and 23 turnovers and a season average of 15 per game, it's something the Black Bears will need to get under control. Already this season, the Black Bears have twice attempted 20 or more field goals less than their opponent in a single game. That's directly related to all the turnovers.

It's good

Anyone listening to the Black Bears broadcast vs. Tulane wondering what's up with the "moon pie" call by the play-by-play man? Every time a UMaine player hits a 3-point shot, fill in announcer Mike Callahan uses the catch phrase. Having spent a few years down south, a moon pie is roughly the equivalent of our whoopie pie. Moon pie and RC Cola. Good stuff.

High School Report

Went up to the Pape Chevrolet tournament at South Portland H.S. Friday night to check out South Portland's Keegan Hyland, ranked by New England Recruiting Report as the top junior in the state. Caught the final two quarters of the Cheverus/Falmouth game before the South Portland/Mountain Valley tilt.

Hyland went for 32 points in a 69-67 Red Riot victory. Mountain Valley led late in the game and missed a couple crucial free throws with less than a minute to go that opened the door for South Portland.

Most of Hyland's points came from the outside as he appears to be a fine spot-up shooter. Didn't really see any finishing around the hoop or playmaking. On this night, mostly just utilizing teammates' screens and knocking down perimeter shots.