Stony Brook Seawolves
America East (26-6, 15, 2)
Stony Brook has now made five straight postseason appearances. The program is solid and will continue to be a dangerous team in the America East, but this is the year for Stony Brook to do some serious damage in March. Coach Steve Pikiell took his team on the road in November and December and played against some good teams to help prepare his team for America East play and beyond. The Seawolves played admirably in games against the likes of Vanderbilt and Notre Dame, but struggled on the road in nonconference action.
Big Wins: 12/5 Princeton (91-77), 12/20 Hofstra (71-68), 1/22 Albany (69-63)
Bad Losses: 11/21 at Western Kentucky (66-67), 12/12 at Northeastern (62-75), 2/27 Vermont (62-76)
Coach: Steve Pikiell
Why They Can Surprise:
For the last four years Stony Brook has been all about Jameel Warney and Carson Puriefoy. Warney, a 6-8, 260 pound forward has been a starter since he stepped foot on campus and just keeps getting better and better. He is an absolutely dominating force in the paint and is averaging 19.8 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.0 blocks as a senior. Warney saved his best outing for last, scoring 43 points against Vermont in the America East title game. The offense almost always works through Warney and Puriefoy is the guy who makes sure that happens. The senior point guard dishes out 3.1 assists per game, but is also a great scorer in his own right. During his senior season Puriefoy is averaging 15.1 points per game and connects on 40.1 percent of his attempts from long range. If you back off of Puriefoy, he will burn you. For many teams like Stony Brook, they have a player like Warney who carries them. But this team is different and not just because of Puriefoy. Forward Rayshun McGrew has turned into a great complimentary interior player to Warney and averages 10.8 points and 6.0 rebounds. Wing Ahmad Walker is also a double-digit scorer and a superb rebounder from the wing. When Warney, McGrew and Walker are hitting the glass effectively, this is a group that can rebound with anybody in the country.
Why They Can Disappoint:
A knee injury to Bryan Sekunda has limited Coach Pikiell’s options on the perimeter. Sekunda started 16 games and made 25 appearances before the injury and he will not be back this season. Sekunda was the second most prolific outside shooter at the time of his injury. Lucas Woodhouse is a very consistent shooter too, but now this team lacks that offensive spark off of the bench. Roland Nyama, a 6-6 wing, is the only option on the perimeter. While he does have size and can make some shots, he is far from being a consistent threat that Coach Pikiell can rely on to play 20 minutes per game. The depth in the frontcourt is pretty slim too with Tyrell Sturdivant taking up most of the minutes. Sturdivant works hard on the glass, but there is a drop-off when McGrew or Warney need a break.
Probable Starters:
Carson Puriefoy, Senior, Guard, 15.1 ppg, 3.1 apg, 3.3 rpg
Lucas Woodhouse, Junior, Guard, 6.7 ppg, 3.7 apg
Ahmad Walker, Junior, Guard, 10.4 ppg, 4.2 apg, 6.7 rpg
Rayshun McGrew, Senior, Forward, 10.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg
Jameel Warney, Senior, Forward, 19.8 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 3.0 bpg, 1.6 apg
Key Roleplayers:
Roland Nyama, Sophomore, Guard, 3.2 ppg
Tyrell Sturdivant, Sophomore, Forward, 3.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 76.6 (91st in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 63.1 (13, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 47.7 (26, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.1 (33, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.8 (194, 4)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 37.2 (61, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 66.9 (276, 7)
Rebound Margin: 7.7 (18, 1)
Assists Per Game: 16.4 (27, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.6 (67, 1)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2015 CBI First Round loss to Mercer
2014 CBI First Round loss to Siena
2013 NIT First Round win over Massachusetts
2013 NIT Second Round loss to Iowa
2012 NIT First Round loss to Seton Hall
2010 NIT First Round loss to Illinois
*all team stats through 3/6
