Dec. 19, 2002

Stony Brook, N.Y. - There's a lesson to be learned about success in basketball and academics, one that D.J. Munir now knows very well: Hit the shots - and the books.

Munir, perhaps the area's best guard this side of Marcus Hatten, is returning to the Stony Brook University lineup Saturday against Hofstra after missing the first semester - seven games - because of academic ineligibility. The point guard now espouses grade- point average.

"You've definitely got to stay focused in all areas of college," the 6-3 junior said. "It's not just about playing basketball and hanging out. Basketball can be taken away from you at any time because of academics."

The problems started, Munir said, when he let last season's 6-22 record get to him. Munir had led the team in scoring at 17.2 points a game, third among America East players. He was first in the conference in assists (4.3) and free-throw percentage (.869).

"I never really had a losing season, I felt like I let the team down, not in the way I performed but in the fact that we couldn't win more games," he said. "I took that kind of hard and it spilled into class. There were times when I didn't go to class."

Munir blamed no one but himself.

"The whole thing was on me, it was my fault," he said. "I learned even though things aren't going the way I would have liked on the court, I have to take care of my affairs off the court, especially in the classroom. As good a player as I can be, I can't get better sitting on the sidelines. People may think because this is a state university that it is not a tough school. Stony Brook is a tough school and I'll attest to that anytime."

Under NCAA regulations, an athlete must have a 2.0 average and complete 12 hours per semester. Coach Nick Macarchuk received Munir's transcript after the spring semester and delivered the bad news.

"He was depressed and he didn't feel good about it," Macarchuk said. "But he's had a very good and long preseason. He's grown up, matured and is a better player."

And a conscientious student. "I'm doing fine," said Munir, a sociology major.

Now Munir's only issue may be re-establishing his role as the Seawolves' leader. He has been somewhat usurped by freshman Bobby Santiago, who has averaged a team-high 13.9 points in Munir's absence.

"There aren't many different scenarios," Macarchuk said. "D.J.'s the point or Bobby's the point. We just have to discuss what is best for them and how they are both going to excel wherever we put them."

Also eligible for the Hofstra game is a pair of sophomore transfers from Fordham, forward Cori Spencer and guard Tyrone Stallings. Expect Santiago to remain at the point for a while.

"Bobby's playing the point and he's doing a good job," Munir said. "Right now, I just want to come back and fit in. I'll adapt to the two [guard], no problem at all. Bobby's doing well, I wouldn't want Bobby to have to change. That wouldn't be fair to him."

Santiago will learn from Munir, on and off the court. "It will take a lot of pressure off me having him back," Santiago said.

Munir has advised Santiago about classwork, too. "He told me to get up on it, don't slack off," Santiago said. "He said stay on top of your game and the books."