Stony Brook Seawolves
America East (22-9, 14-2)
It came down to the final day of the regular season, but Stony Brook won the America East title outright over Vermont. It was expected that the Seawolves would be right in the mix since they returned all five starters. Those starters did not all return to their starting lineup, but they all did return to Stony Brook, New York. Just as importantly, Tommy Brenton returned from an injury that saw him sit out the entire 2010-2011 campaign and he came back strong.
Big Wins: 1/2 Vermont (65-59), 1/27 Boston U (66-57), 2/18 at Northeastern (76-69)
Bad Losses: 11/15 at Sacred Heart (63-74), 12/3 at Eastern Illinois (69-72), 12/11 at Boston College (51-66)
Coach: Steve Pikiell (7 seasons at Stony Brook)
Why They Can Surprise:
Rarely does a team do so well on the glass and in the turnover department. Brenton is the main for that. Brenton, a 6-5 wing, is the team’s leader in rebounds, assists and steals. Brenton is not a huge scoring threat, but he can go off on any given day. Even when Brenton’s shot is not falling, he will help out in a variety of different ways. Forwards Dallis Joyner and Al Rapier have done well this season. Joyner is a strong rebounder, especially on the offensive end and is the team’s best shot blocking threat. Joyner is only 6-7, but he tilts the scales at 275 pounds and can take up a lot of space in the paint. Rapier is a little taller at 6-8. Both are decent interior scorers and Rapier is not opposed to stepping outside and knocking down the mid-range jumper on occasion.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Occasionally Stony Brook can be a little offensively challenged. Much of the time their stifling defense will make up for it, but to pull off an upset in March, the Seawolves will have to be firing on all cylinders. Bryan Dougher is the go-to-scorer. He is the main shooting threat on the team and always has the green light. Dougher will occasionally attack the basket, but he does most of his damage from long range. Reserves Anthony Jackson and Leonard Hayes are also long range shooters. Dave Coley is the perimeter player that can score by attacking the basket. The 6-2 sophomore has not been the most consistent player, but Coach Steve Pikiell will need him to be aggressive, especially if Dougher’s shot is not falling. Stony Brook does not have a true point guard and Dougher will have to spend time on the ball. That usually would impact a scorers ability to get open and knock down shots, but in this case just about everybody on the team can handle the ball enough to allow Dougher to work off screens and get plenty of open looks from beyond the arc.
Probable Starters:
Bryan Dougher, Senior, Guard, 13.2 ppg, 1.6 apg
Dave Coley, Sophomore, Guard, 10.0 ppg, 1.3 apg
Tommy Brenton, Junior, Guard, 8.0 ppg, 3.3 apg, 7.9 rpg
Dallis Joyner, Senior, Forward, 8.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg
Al Rapier, Senior, Forward, 8.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Danny Carter, Senior, Forward, 1.5 ppg, 1.6 rpg
Leonard Hayes, Junior, Guard, 3.5 ppg, 1.1 apg
Anthony Jackson, Sophomore, Guard, 5.6 ppg, 1.4 rpg
Marcus Rouse, Junior, Guard, 4.2 ppg, 1.2 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 67.4 (185th in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 59.3 (18, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.3 (176, 4)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.7 (103, 4)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.3 (152, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.7 (195, 4)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.0 (177, 5)
Rebound Margin: 8.1 (4, 1)
Assists Per Game: 11.1 (290, 7)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.3 (68, 1)
Last Five Postseason Appearances:
Stony Brook 2010 NIT First Round loss to Illinois
*all team stats through 3/4
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
