Oct. 15, 2010

The Stony Brook men's basketball team has been picked to finish second in the America East during the 2010-11 season, the conference announced at its annual Tip-Off Luncheon in Hartford, Conn. The vote was a poll among America East head coaches. The Seawolves earned two first-place votes to finish with 57 points, behind only Boston University's 62 points and six first-place votes.

Sixth-year head coach Steve Pikiell and the Seawolves return eight lettermen, including four starters, from last season's team that set Division I program records in overall wins (22) and conference wins (13) and earned its first-ever America East regular season title and postseason appearance. The Seawolves played on national television for the first time ever when they hosted Illinois in the first round of the NIT.

Stony Brook's four returning starters include senior guard Chris Martin (Springfield Gardens, N.Y.), junior forwards Tommy Brenton (Columbia, Md.) and Dallis Joyner (Norfolk, Va.) and junior guard Bryan Dougher (Scotch Plains, N.J.). Brenton and Dougher were both second-team All-America East selections in 2009-10, and Brenton was named to the America East All-Defensive team. The Seawolves will have to open the season without Brenton, who suffered a knee injury in September and is out indefinitely.

Pikiell has brought in five newcomers to help fill the void of 2009-10 America East Player of the Year Muhammad El-Amin, who graduated and signed a professional contract to play in Hungary. Among the recruits are 6'2 freshman guard Dave Coley (Brooklyn, N.Y.) from Thomas Jefferson High School, 6'7 forward Al Rapier (Chicago, Ill.), a junior college transfer, 6'0 guard Anthony Jackson (Columbus, Ohio) from Gahanna Lincoln High School and 6'9 forward/center Anthony Mayo (Philadelphia, Pa.) from Roman Catholic High School.

Stony Brook begins the 2010-11 season on Nov. 12 at Connecticut at 7 p.m. Its home opener is Nov. 14 against Mount Ida. Season tickets are on sale now through the Stony Brook Ticket Office.