Not this year, but maybe soon for Maine men's basketball

Mar. 15—ORONO — There will be another NCAA men's basketball tournament without the University of Maine. This time, though, the thought of that doesn't come with shoulder shrugs of resignation.

This time, it comes with hope.

Saturday's 77-59 loss to Bryant in the America East championship game ended the best season in decades for the Black Bears.

There was a watch party at Orono Brewing, not far from campus, where dozens of fans gathered to view the game. A few admitted they're newcomers to the men's basketball team but, really, when you look at the recent history (and not-so-recent, depending on how you define recent), there hasn't been much reason to follow the team.

"Mostly, I've been focused on the hockey team, but it's been exciting to see them make a run in the playoffs," said Drew Delaney, a senior from Livermore, pointing at the projection screen on which the Maine/Bryant game was getting underway. "I wanted to watch this with a crowd, not quietly at home."

Until last week's win over UMass Lowell in the America East quarterfinals, the Black Bears hadn't won a conference playoff game for 20 years, nor had they hosted a postseason game. Winning at Vermont in the semifinals Tuesday was another step forward. Vermont has been America East's juggernaut over the last decade, and the Black Bears went into the Catamounts' raucous Patrick Gymnasium and left with a 57-42 win, becoming just the second team to beat Vermont on its home court by double digits this season.

Ben Barr, Maine's men's hockey coach, stopped by Orono Brewing for a few minutes. Barr had his own playoff game to prep for, a Hockey East quarterfinal Saturday night at Alfond Arena against UMass Lowell, but he had time to support men's basketball coach Chris Markwood and his program. There's a camaraderie in the athletic department, Barr said.

"Everyone is a good person. It's easy to cheer for each other," Barr said.

During a commercial break early in the game, Barr addressed the crowd, urging them to continue to support all the Maine teams.

"I just wanted to say hi. Enjoy the day. Go Black Bears!" Barr said.

In the early going, when the Black Bears kept the game close, there was energy in the air, and a hint of anticipation. Could this be the Maine team to finally hear its name called during the selection show? Would a CBS camera get a live shot of the Black Bears in the Pit, jumping and celebrating when they learned what college basketball blue blood they'd face in the opening round? Would they get to play relatively close to home in Providence, Rhode Island, or would the Black Bears make a cross-country flight to Seattle?

But beating Bryant on the road was always going to be a big ask. The Bulldogs won their first two conference tournament games by 11 and 13 points, respectively, and won six regular-season conference games by at least 20 points, including an 81-55 win over Maine on Jan. 4.

Five minutes into the game, the score was tied, 8-8, and the Orono Brewing crowd cheered every Maine moment.

Ten minutes in, Bryant had a four-point lead, 18-14. Still close.

Fifteen minutes in, the Bulldogs led, 28-19. As Bryant began to wear down the Black Bears, the attention of the Maine fans waned slightly. Some sipped their beers and chatted with friends. At halftime, Bryant's lead was 38-27. An America East season that began with that loss at Bryant at the start of the new year ended on the same court.

One loss can't derail the progress the Black Bears made in the 2024-25 season. Maine won 20 games for the first time since 2004. All those dubious streaks, not playing a postseason game at home, not winning a tournament game, not advancing to the conference final — those are all gone.

It's nice to see the men's basketball team competitive, said Kristen Espling, a teacher at Orono Middle School and a UMaine alum. She cited the success other Maine teams have had. Women's basketball, women's soccer, field hockey, baseball and men's hockey have been to the NCAA tournament in recent years. It's nice to see the men's basketball team join the party.

"It's nice to be in Orono, for sure," Espling said.

The men's basketball team will not be in the NCAA tournament this season, again. But it has never felt closer.

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