Jan. 21, 2004

Stony Brook, N.Y. -

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The Stony Brook men's basketball team meets in-state rival Albany Wednesday night at the Indoor Sports Complex. It is the first meeting between the two teams this season in a series that began in 1968. Tip-off is 7 p.m.

About Albany: The Great Danes are 3-12, 1-5 in conference play entering Wednesday night's game against the Seawolves. Albany has been beset by injuries all season long, losing the 2002 America East Rookie of the Year Jamar Wilson to a knee injury before the season began. Janis Pipikis is also out with an injury. UA is led by Levi Levine who leads the team in scoring and rebounding. Rookie guard Jon Iati is one of the top newcomers in the America East, leading all freshman in scoring.

About the Seawolves: Stony Brook dropped its second straight road game in conference play in a 69-55 loss to Hartford on Saturday. The Seawolves led by one with just over 13 minutes to go, but Hartford went on a 17-5 run and never looked back. D.J. Munir totaled a game-high 20 points in the loss while Mike Popoko had eight points and eight rebounds. The Seawolves shot only 29 percent from the field in the second half and 33 percent for the game.

Albany vs. Stony Brook: Stony Brook leads the all-time series 25-11. The two teams split the season series last year as each team defended its home court. SB won a double overtime thriller at the Brook and Albany posted a win in the state capital. Since the move to Division I, SB holds a 4-3 series edge. A look at the matchups at the Division I level: 1/19/03 at Stony Brook 92, Albany 87 (2 ot) 2/14/03 at Albany 82, Stony Brook 74 2/2/02 Albany 65, at Stony Brook 54 2/24/02 Stony Brook 48, at Albany 47 1/27/01 Stony Brook 67, at Albany 64 2/7/01 at Stony Brook 63, Albany 62 1/21/00 Albany 51, at Stony Brook 47

It's Going To Be A Close Call: The Albany-Stony Brook matchup usually goes right down to the wire. In five of the seven matchups since the move to Division I, the margin of victory has been five points or less with two of the games being decided by one point. The average margin of victory in those seven games is 4.7 points.

He's Number Six: Munir's 20 points on Saturday gave him 1,378 career points moving him past Larry Tillery (1,372) and into sixth place on SB's all-time scoring list. Next up in Munir's sights is Wayne Wright, who totaled 1,477 points from 1975-79. Munir also moved into fifth place in assists with 318 after a pair against Hartford.

Ice Cold: The Seawolves went cold in the second half against Hartford, shooting only 29 percent from the field -- 33 percent for the game. SB also converted only 16 of 25 foul shots in the loss. SB has shot less than 40 percent in seven games this season.

Home Vs. Road: SB is 0-4 on the road in conference play after a pair of losses last week. However, the Seawolves are 2-0 at home entering the game against Albany.

Big Man On Campus: Cori Spencer has been a force under the basket for the Seawolves since conference play began. He is averaging 15.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in those games and ranks among the league leaders in several categories. In conference action, Spencer ranks fourth in both points per game and field goal percentage (.508).

Pop On The Boards: Freshman Mike Popoko continues to impress with each and every game. In his last two contests he has collected 17 rebounds while scoring eight points in each game. The rookie now ranks second on the team in rebounds with 4.9 per game.

Half And Half: Stony Brook has not led at the half since its blowout win over Army back on December 11, a streak of 10 games. The Brook has been behind at the break in eight of those games and tied twice (Maine & Hartford). SB has been ahead at the half in three of its 15 games.