Stony Brook Seawolves
2015-2016 Overall Rank: #99
Conference Rank: #1 America East
| Stony Brook Team Page |  | Buy Stony Brook Basketball Tickets |
Once again Stony Brook made it to the America East championship game and once again they failed to win and make the NCAA Tournament. This time it was even more painful than usual as the Seawolves lost to Albany 51-50 on a buzzer beater. Stony Brook did finish tied for second in the conference behind Albany, but Coach Steve Pikiell deserves a lot of credit for keeping his team competitive last season despite a slew of personnel losses. This time around the Seawolves return every player who averaged over ten minutes per game and should make it back to the America East title game. What they do from there is anyone’s guess. But with 6-8, 255 pound senior forward Jameel Warney leading the way, you have to like their chances. Warney is an absolute beast in the paint. Despite constant double teams, Warney averaged 16.4 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks.
2014-15 Record: 23-12, 12-4
2014-15 Postseason: CBI
Coach: Steve Pikiell
Coach Record: 166-148 at Stony Brook, 166-149 overall
Who’s Out:
Scott King and Chris Braley have opted to transfer after averaging fewer than ten minutes per game. King, who is a graduate transfer, averaged 3.0 points and 1.2 rebounds during his redshirt junior year. He could stretch out the defense with his shooting ability, but saw his playing decrease throughout his career at Stony Brook. Braley, a tough 6-5 forward, never developed into the shooter he was supposed to be. The only other departure is little used Ryan Burnett.
Who’s In:
With so much experience returning, Stony Brook does not need much production from their newcomers. But they will get some anyway from Ahmad Walker and Lucas Woodhouse. Walker spent his freshman year at Stony Brook before spending one season at the junior college level. Now he returns to his old stomping grounds. Two years ago Walker was a starter for the Seawolves, averaging 7.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists. He should step back into that starting role. Woodhouse spent two years at Longwood. As a freshman he averaged 5.5 points and 5.5 assists. His sophomore season was even better when he averaged 11.5 points and 6.6 assists. Woodhouse’s shooting really improved during 2013-2014, but he is still a great pass first point guard. Freshmen forwards Alonzo Campbell and Akwasi Yeboah will get a season to learn from more experienced frontcourt players before being asked to contribute much.
Who to Watch:
Carson Puriefoy is the player who makes the offense tick. The speedy point guard averaged 14.4 points and 3.4 assists as a junior and is poised for a big senior season. He is not the most consistent outside shooter, but he is enough of a threat from long range to keep the opposition honest. When Puriefoy isn’t finding his teammates or shooting, he is attacking the basket and making it to the foul line. Wing Roland Nyama had a very promising freshman campaign, starting all 35 games and averaging 7.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. He is a proven shooter, yet could be more aggressive using his size to attack the basket. DeShaun Thrower, Kameron Mitchell and Bryan Sekunda all rotated through the starting lineup in the backcourt. Thrower, a combo guard, is the most promising and productive of the bunch. The sophomore averaged 4.3 points and 1.3 rebounds. Mitchell and Sekunda are mostly shooters and will again make for good shooters off of the bench.
Final Projection:
Warney needed help in the frontcourt last year and he got it from Rayshaun McGrew. Now a senior, the 6-7 forward turned into a great secondary scorer and rebounder in the frontcourt. His 8.4 points per game made it more difficult for opposing defenses to double team Warney and his 7.9 rebounds made Stony Brook one of the best rebounding teams in the nation. Tyrell Sturdivant figures to provide most of the frontcourt depth with some help from the freshmen. With Warney and Puriefoy leading the way, Stony Brook is certainly the team to beat in the America East. Albany and Vermont will make things interesting, but Stony Brook has the talent and experience to finally break into the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting Five:
Carson Puriefoy, Senior, Guard, 14.4 points per game
Ahmad Walker, Junior, Guard, DNP last season
Roland Nyama, Sophomore, Guard, 7.3 points per game
Rayshaun McGrew, Senior, Forward, 8.4 points per game
Jameel Warney, Senior, Forward, 16.4 points per game
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: (218th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 60.1 (27, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 41.8 (262, 4)
Field-Goal Defense: 39.6 (37, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.5 (261, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.2 (219, 4)
Free-Throw Percentage: 66.3 (269, 6)
Rebound Margin: 8.3 (5, 1)
Assists Per Game: 12.0 (215, 4)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.9 (110, 2)
See All Top 144 Basketball Previews
