By Joel Welser
Stony Brook Seawolves
America East Conference
2009-10: 22-10, 13-3
2009-10 postseason: NIT
Coach: Steve Pikiell (58-91 at Stony Brook, 58-91 overall)
After finally surpassing the ten win mark during the 2008-2009 campaign, Coach Steve Pikiell led Stony Brook to much bigger things the following season. The Seawolves finished on top of the America East standings and reached the NIT. The loss of leading scorer Muhammad El-Amin is a big one, but this team returns more than enough talent to win the league title again and shoot for the NCAA Tournament.
Key Losses: C Desmond Adedeji, G Eddie Castellanos, G Muhammad El-Amin
Key Newcomers:
The Seawolves will not need to ask too much from their newcomers, but finding some depth in the frontcourt was a main priority and Coach Pikiell hopes Al Rapier is the answer. The junior college transfer brings experience and size to the frontcourt and should be contributing right away. Point guard Dave Coley and shooting guard Anthony Jackson should have the benefit of spending their freshmen campaigns learning the ropes from the bench, although both could be needed to play a few minutes here and there.
Backcourt:
There is a slight logjam of smaller guards with Bryan Dougher, Chris Martin and Marcus Rouse. If those three all start, this will be a small group on the perimeter compared to last season when the 6-5 El-Amin was roaming the floor. Dougher will not be left out of the starting lineup after knocking down three three-pointers per game last season. Even more impressive than hitting that many long balls is the fact he connected on 42.4 percent of his attempts. Martin is the senior leader of the team and a pretty good rebounder for a 6-1 guard. That skill will allow the Seawolves to play smaller without giving up too much in the rebounding department. On top of the rebounding, Martin is a great scorer around the basket. He has never been much of a shooter, but he will use his quickness and strength to finish in the paint. Marcus Rouse may be the wildcard of the backcourt. After a decent freshman campaign, Rouse could step into the starting point guard role. That would allow Dougher to move off the ball and shoot and Martin to help out more on the glass.
Frontcourt:
Stony Brook plays small up front too with wing Tommy Brenton at the power forward position and 6-7 forward Dallis Joyner manning the five spot. Joyner is the true post player on the team and has done a great job developing into a scoring threat in the paint. Last season he averaged 8.1 points and 6.5 rebounds. Having a scorer in the paint like Joyner forces the opposition to collapse the defense and leave the shooters like Dougher open on occasion. Danny Carter is an interesting option when the team needs to play bigger. The 6-9, 210 pound junior has not played too much during his collegiate career, but he is improving and at least is a big body that can clog some room in the paint. Preye Preboye is more of a wing than a forward, but he is a capable backup power forward or small forward. During his limited playing time as a freshman, Preboye proved to be a decent scorer and a fine rebounder. If size is needed, do not be surprised to see Preboye playing quite a few minutes at the small forward position.
Who to Watch:
Tommy Brenton will handle most of the minutes at the four spot. While he is really a wing, Brenton does everything one could ask from a power forward. He may only be 6-5, but he led the conference in rebounding with 9.7 per contest. Brenton is not a great scorer, but he is a threat to hit the outside shot and can cruise past bigger defenders and attack the basket. However, it is his rebounding that makes him such a vital part of this team.
Final Projection:
Stony Brook fell short of their NCAA Tournament hopes a year ago, but this group has more depth and experience in the frontcourt and plenty of weapons on the perimeter to help replace the loss of El-Amin. It will come down to a few games in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />
Projected Post-season Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting Five:
Marcus Rouse, Sophomore, Guard, 4.4 ppg
Bryan Dougher, Junior, Guard, 13.8 ppg
Chris Martin, Junior, Guard, 10.8 ppg
Tommy Brenton, Junior, Guard, 7.6 ppg
Dallis Joyner, Junior, Forward, 8.1 ppg
