Bowdoin College and the University of Southern Maine know that their women’s basketball accomplishments last year and in this decade are partially responsible for their lofty preseason rankings.

We’re nearly three months away from truly learning how those two proud programs will embellish their tradition this winter. We’ll get a big-time preview and see the beginning of the process tonight, however.

Two of the nation’s consensus top six NCAA Division III teams reside 40 minutes apart here in the New England outpost. Bowdoin (4-0) and Southern Maine (3-0) collide at 6 p.m. in Brunswick tonight. If recent custom is repeated, the non-conference clash at Morrell Gymnasium might be merely the first round of another terrific title fight.

The regional rivals have collided in the NCAA Tournament three of the last four years. Southern Maine swept last year’s encounters, 64-55 in November and 56-53 in March, ending Bowdoin’s seven-game winning streak in the series and ultimately reaching the national championship game.

Southern Maine prepares for its Little East Conference slate each year by scheduling what amounts to a de facto state championship series. With only two returning starters and a host of injuries impacting coach Gary Fifield’s preferred rotation, the neighborhood tour has been a challenge this season.

The Huskies handled Husson by 22 points and the University of Maine at Farmington by 8 to win its own tip-off tournament. USM then beat Bates, 87-77, last Tuesday in Lewiston before enjoying a week off.

“If you look at our schedule compared to a lot of people’s, it hasn’t been easy,” Fifield said. “Husson is going to win 15 to 17 games. Farmington is going to win 20. Bates will win 20.”

And then there’s Bowdoin.

Winners of 71 straight home games – Bowdoin broke Connecticut’s all-division New England record last season – the Polar Bears have mauled their first four opponents by an average of 34 points.

Three seniors set the pace for Bowdoin. Eileen Flaherty (19.5 points, 6.3 rebounds per game) provides an All-America presence in the paint. Julia Loonin (5.8 points, 4.8 assists per game) and Katie Cummings (5.3, 4.0) are the playmakers.

“We have three seniors in our starting lineup for the first time since I’ve been here,” Bowdoin coach Stefanie Pemper said in her team’s pre-season prospectus. “It’s a great class. I’m emotional already thinking about them graduating.”

There’s no need to shed tears for Bowdoin, because in many respects the Polar Bears’ future is now. Sophomore Jill Anelauskas (12.5 ppg) and freshman Leah Rubega (9.0) are the team’s second and third-leading scorers.

Alexa Kaubris of Rumford (7.8 ppg, eight steals) is a defensive pest and emerging scorer in her second season. Junior Marisa Berne of Falmouth, a 43 percent 3-point shooter, enters her third year as the Polar Bears’ most dangerous perimeter threat.

USM counters with the pre-season national player of the year, senior forward Ashley Marble, and intense fourth-year guard Katie Sibley.

Marble chalked up 61 points and 28 rebounds in the Huskies’ first three games, while Sibley (14.0 ppg) has successfully transitioned from a supporting role to a showy one. The Boothbay product scored a career-high 25 points against Bates.

“I’m going to have to be more of a leader this season,” Sibley said. “Sometimes that might mean I have to score more points. The game is going to dictate that.”

Stacey Kent and Lauren Samuelson have complemented Marble down low in the first extended playing time of their careers. Freshman Nicole Paradis of Skowhegan and junior Dawn Ross of Gray provide a backcourt boost off the Southern Maine bench.

Bowdoin swept New Jersey foes William Paterson and Montclair State in a Thanksgiving weekend tournament, extending its regular-season win streak to 14 games. The Polar Bears have advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division III tournament for five straight years and have won six consecutive New England Small College Athletic Conference titles.

Each team received a first-place vote in one of the major national pre-season polls. Bowdoin is ranked No. 2 by D3Hoops.com and No. 4 by USA Today/ESPN. USM checks in sixth and third, respectively.

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