Stony Brook Seawolves
2013-2014 Overall Rank: #135
Conference Rank: #2 America East
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Despite three America East titles in the last four years, Stony Brook has failed to win the conference tournament. Three trips to the NIT is nice, and the Seawolves did actually win an NIT game at Massachusetts before falling to Iowa last year, but the NCAA Tournament is the obvious ultimate goal. This season will be as good as any to go dancing, but it all will come down to a few games in the conference tournament.
2012-13 Record: 25-8, 14-2
2012-13 Postseason: NIT
Coach: Steve Pikiell
Coach Record: 119-125 at Stony Brook, 119-125 overall
Who’s Out:
The loss of Tommy Brenton will be felt. The 6-5 forward was a rare talent who could do just about everything. Brenton was not always a huge scoring threat, averaging 8.4 points per game, but he led the Seawolves with 8.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.6 steals. Brenton’s unique skillset is not going to be easy to replace and it will take multiple players stepping up and helping out. Brenton is the only starter not returning, yet Marcus Rouse, Ron Bracey and Leonard Hayes were usually in the regular rotation. Rouse was often the first player off of the bench and he was the most consistent outside shooter on the team.
Who’s In:
The obvious need for Stony Brook is on the wing and Coach Steve Pikiell has four new players looking to fill the void. Redshirt freshmen Kameron Mitchell and Ahmad Walker will likely make the biggest impact. Mitchell is a prolific long range shooter and a solid all-around scorer. When looking for a shooter off of the bench to help replace the production of Rouse, look no further than Mitchell. Walker is a little bigger and stronger and can use that size to attack the basket. Incoming freshmen Chris Braley and Roland Nyama should find it difficult to earn minutes this year, but Coach Pikiell will find room for them if they are ready to play. Braley brings toughness and rebounding skills to the wing position that the Seawolves are losing with Brenton. Nyama, a lanky 6-5 small forward, has the versatility and defensive ability that is a bit like Brenton.
Who to Watch:
Brenton is gone, but four starters are back. Anthony Jackson and Dave Coley will again hold down the backcourt. Jackson is the most prolific outside shooter on the team and ended last season with an average of 11.3 points per game. Coley was right behind him at 11.1. While Jackson tends to drive and dish when he goes in the paint, Coley can finish around the basket. He is also a strong rebounding guard and he may be asked to do more of that if Stony Brook wants to be the best rebounding team in the America East again. Jameel Warney is more than capable of picking up the slack on the glass. The 6-8, 255 pound sophomore had an absolutely amazing freshman campaign and with a little polishing could be a major force in the conference for the next three years. Warney averaged 12.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. He shot an impressive 61.8 percent from the floor. Unfortunately, he only shot 55.7 percent from the line…and he spent a healthy amount of time at the stripe. Eric McAlister started 23 games, but only averaged 17.3 minutes per game. McAlister will give way to Warney offensively for the most part, but he will need to help out more on the glass now.
Final Projection:
Last season Stony Brook relied very heavily on Warney, Jackson, Coley and Brenton. That is fine, but there was a pretty big gap in talent and production between those four and the rest of the team. With McAlister penciled back into the starting lineup the question becomes who is going to be the fifth starter to replace Brenton and can the Seawolves find consistent bench play? Carson Puriefoy is the best fit among the returning players to move into the lineup unless Coach Pikiell wants to keep playing big. Puriefoy is a capable shooter and was just a freshman last season. If he starts taking more shots and making them every once in a while, SBU can play small and be effective. Scott King, a 6-9 sophomore, and Anthony Mayo, a 6-9 junior, are back to add depth in the frontcourt. Mayo is an intriguing shot blocker, but King earned nine starts last season and is capable of taking a big step. Finding those key contributors after Jackson, Coley and Warney could be a concern, but the options were young players. The freshmen, especially the redshirt freshmen, have potential as well. Stony Brook should do a good enough job of replacing Brenton, but that may not be enough to finally go dancing.
Projected Postseason Tournament: CBI/CIT
Projected Starting Five:
Anthony Jackson, Senior, Guard, 11.3 points per game
Carson Puriefoy, Sophomore, Guard, 5.3 points per game
Dave Coley, Senior, Guard, 11.1 points per game
Eric McAlister, Senior, Forward, 4.4 points per game
Jameel Warney, Sophomore, Forward, 12.4 points per game
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 68.0 (155th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 57.5 (13, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.4 (109, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 37.8 (6, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.8 (202, 6)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.3 (97, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.4 (140, 4)
Rebound Margin: 5.2 (36, 1)
Assists Per Game: 12.3 (195, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.8 (56, 1)
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