The America East Conference largely has been overlooked on the national stage despite fielding three Division 1 teams in New England.
That changed last season when the University of Vermont won its first conference title. The Catamounts went on to battle valiantly against mighty Maryland in the first round of the NCAA tournament, garnering national attention for their efforts despite losing the game.
All three New England teams in the America East fielded exceptional first-year players in 2021. Despite Hartford and UMass Lowell finishing near the bottom of the conference standings, they both were powered by a youth movement that gained valuable experience last spring. Those players will now combine with a new freshman class to galvanize both squads.
Here's a look at the sophomores we're watching.