Around the America East Conference

Vermont Catamounts (4-4):

– A tough early schedule has had them play seven of their first eight games on the road.

– Beat then No. 14 Boston College 77-63 on the road, Nov. 13.

– As a result of being the most consistent team in the conference over the last four seasons, Vermont has played such powerhouse programs as BC, Maryland and Michigan State.

PLAYER STAT: Senior Chris Holm leads the conference, grabbing 10.6 rebounds per game.

Albany Great Danes (2-3):

– Reigning conference champs are 2-0 at home and 0-3 on the road thus far.

– Lost to No. 18 UConn in a rematch of last year’s NCAA first round matchup.

PLAYER STAT: Returning league MVP Jamar Wilson is leading the conference in scoring with 19.8 ppg.

Boston Terriers (3-4):

– Struggled early and have been unable to put together back-to-back wins.

– Their four losses this season have been by an average of 14 ppg.

– The Terriers lead the conference shooting 42 percent from 3-point range.

PLAYER STAT: Senior Omari Peterkin has seen his minutes, points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks increase for the third consecutive year.

Hartford Hawks (3-3):

– After starting 0-3 have rebounded nicely with three consecutive wins.

– Lead the conference with a turnover margin of +3 per game.

PLAYER STAT: Freshman Joe Zeglinski leads the team in scoring with 12 ppg.

Maine Black Bears (4-4):

– Have four players scoring in double figures (Junior Bernal, Kevin Reed, Jon Sheets, Phillipe Tchekanie-Bofia).

– Five of their eight games have been decided by 10 points or fewer.

– They are the only team in the conference with a positive scoring margin.

PLAYER STAT: Bernal leads the conference in steals per game with 2.25.

Stony Brook Seawolves (3-4):

– Ranked first in the conference in field goal percentage (43 percent) and free throw percentage (75 percent).

– After getting blown out by Villanova this week, their non-conference schedule does not get any easier, as their next game is against Hofstra.

– Shocked tournament contender Penn State (5-2) on the road 59-51 on Nov. 11.

PLAYER STAT: Ricky Lucas and Mitchell Beauford rank second and third in scoring, with 16.4 ppg and 14.7 ppg, respectively.

New Hampshire Wildcats (1-6):

– The Wildcats are allowing the most points per game of any team in the conference, and are being outscored by an average of 10 ppg.

– They have not been able to make free throws as consistently as last year, when they were ranked in the top 10 in the nation.

PLAYER STAT: Jermaine Anderson has been their most consistent player, with 16 ppg and 5.6 assists per game.

UMBC Retrievers (3-5):

– Despite their 3-5 record, they lead the conference in assist to turnover ratio.

– Nine of their first 12 games are on the road, including games against No. 8 Marquette (Dec. 16) and George Washington (Dec. 12).

PLAYER STAT: Jay Green is ranked first in assists per game, dishing out more than six per game.