Nov. 16, 2001

Stony Brook, N.Y. - D.J. Munir doesn't intend to tiptoe through his first season in the America East.

Stony Brook's 6-3 sophomore guard has formed loftier goals since the Seawolves shed the independent label. The lack of a conference schedule had been an albatross around their necks. It left them empty after finishing 17-11 last season, their second Division I campaign and most successful since 1991-92.

"Last year we weren't playing for anything," Munir said. "This year we know we always have a shot going into the conference tournament."

That shot gives SBU, predicted to finish seventh, an advantage. The Seawolves join two other newcomers, Albany and Binghamton. After the America East exodus of its upper echelon - Hofstra, Delaware, Drexel and Towson - to the Colonial Athletic Association, six schools remained.

"The conference is wide open," said Mike Konopka, a 6-8 sophomore forward. "It's going to be a toss-up."

Stony Brook's low projection reflects nothing more than being the most favored newcomer. SBU has faced only two of the six returning America East schools in the program's 41-year history. Translation: the Seawolves will be an unknown quantity. That makes them dangerous.

"Hofstra took it so many times. Since they left, we're that Long Island team that can take over the reins," said Larry Jennings, a 6-1 junior guard.

Jennings was expected to fill the void left when Leon Brisport, last season's leading scorer and rebounder, graduated. Jennings transferred from St. Joseph's (Pa.) but must wait for a cracked bone in his left foot to see his first action since the 1999-00 season. Coach Nick Macarchuk said the injury, suffered Oct. 26, could take anywhere from one to nine more weeks to heal.

"I just thought Munir and Jennings would be a formidable backcourt," Macarchuk said. "Munir's a secret. People don't know how good he is."

Jennings agreed, calling Munir "silky-smooth" and the Seawolf who's going to be "that player who if he doesn't play good, the team won't play good."

Until Jennings' return, Macarchuk will reserve judgment on his team, whose lone senior walked on.

"I like this team, but they're so young," said Macarchuk, who has two-thirds of his 27 games on the road. "That's not good. A young team going on the road, you worry about that. I worry about our inexperience period."

Munir, who finished second on the team last season with 10.8 points per game, welcomes the challenge.

"I just want to prove I'm one of the best players in this league," he said.

For now, what figured to be one of the conference's best backcourts won't look as advertised. Munir will team with 6-5 freshman Mike Orfini. Lee Church, a 6-foot sophomore who averaged 1.6 points in limited action last year, will be the third man in the rotation.

Konopka started 22 games last year, averaging 6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds. He will receive help from J.B. Bennett, a 6-8 sophomore from Floyd, who will make his first collegiate start at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at St. John's. Jairus McCollum, a 6-5 sophomore, moved into a starting role as the season progressed. With slashing ability and range, McCollum led the team with 15 points and 10 rebounds in a recent exhibition game against the Harlem Globetrotters.

JonPaul Kobryn, a 6-8 freshman center from St. Anthony (Jersey City), could force his way into the starting lineup by season's end.

The unit should receive a boost after Joakim Eriksson serves a three-game suspension for playing on a team with professionals in his native Sweden. Walk-ons Patrick Spitler, one of only three juniors, and Lamar Johnson, a senior from Amityville, round out the rotation.

"We have 7 1/2 people right now we're looking at," said Macarchuk, who indicated Spitler and Johnson will split time in a reserve role. "When Larry and Jo come back, we'll have 9 1/2." Jennings believes he'll play enough to make a difference, saying, "It just stalls our goal to reach the NCAA [Tournament]. Hopefully, I'll be back for the first conference game [Dec. 29]. That will be my season."