Now, It Really Matters

It all begins for real today as conference play begins with three intriguing matchups:

• Binghamton at Maine, 1 p.m.
  America East Conference play kicks off with the Bearcats and Black Bears facing off in Orono in a battle of teams going in opposite directions... Binghamton (7-4) has won three straight, six of eight and is off to its best start as a Division I program... Maine (5-8) has dropped four straight overall and its last eight at home against conference foes.
• Albany at Hartford, 2 p.m.
  The road team won each of last season's meetings with the Great Danes earning a 73-63 victory at Hartford on Jan. 19 and the Hawks returning the favor with a 68-61 win in Albany on Feb. 9... Albany is off to an 8-5 start tying the 2006-07 America East champion squad for the program's best start at the Division I level... Hartford has won 7 of its last 10 games against league foes dating back to last season... Leading scorer Joe Zeglinski has missed the last three games due to injury.
• Stony Brook at UMBC, 7:05 p.m.
  The defending champion Retrievers open defense of their league title with Stony Brook at RAC Arena... UMBC has won seven straight conference games at home and 16 of its last 19 against league foes overall... The Seawolves have won six of its last eight and at 7-5 are off to their best start as a Division I program.