Stony Brook has built a successful program under head coach Steve Pikiell, who is entering his seventh season at the helm of the Seawolves. A program that was once annually at the bottom of the America East standings, Pikiell has led the Seawolves to a .500 or better record in the conference in three straight seasons, won the 2009-10 regular season title and led the squad to the 2011 America East Championship final, coming within two points of the title. This season, Pikiell returns 12 letterwinners, including four starters, from last season's team that captivated everyone with its tournament run. Add in two talented newcomers, and the Seawolves are primed to contend once again for their first-ever America East Championship title and NCAA Tournament berth. 

GUARDS

6 Returning, 0 New, 1 Lost

Stony Brook has skill, strength and depth at the guard position, returning six out of seven players from last season's team, including All-America East point guard Bryan Dougher. The 6'0 senior tri-captain from Scotch Plains, N.J., is entering his fourth season as a starter and is the school's all-time leader in three-pointers made with 248 over his first three seasons. A threat to score from the perimeter at any moment, Dougher led the team in scoring, assists and steals in 2010-11. He also led all of America East in free throw shooting (.870). Junior Leonard Hayes, a native of Voorhees, N.J., returns this season after a breakout 2010-11. He started the year seeing limited action, but after a 21-point performance off the bench at Maine in late January, he entered the starting lineup for the rest of the season and led the Seawolves in three-point shooting percentage (.452). He averaged 15.0 PPG at the America East Championship to earn All-Tournament honors. His ability to shoot the three makes the backcourt tandem of he and Dougher a tough combination to defend. 

Junior Marcus Rouse of Upper Marlboro, Md. could also see time as a starter after making 20 starts last season. The 6'0 off-guard provides an offensive spark with steady hands. He's capable of putting up big offensive nights without turning the ball over. He committed only 25 turnovers in 27 games last season, less than one per game. 

Off the bench are two very capable sophomores in Dave Coley (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Anthony Jackson (Columbus, Ohio). Coley started 10 games as a true freshman last season and showed glimpses of stardom with his ability to dribble and drive to the basket, defend opponents' top scorers and shoot from the outside. He led all Stony Brook freshmen (four on last year's team) in scoring, rebounds and steals. Jackson developed into a steady backup to Dougher at the point and provides three-point shooting, good court vision and outstanding free throw shooting. He had a strong summer, including a good performance in Europe during the exhibition tour.

Adding depth to the squad is junior Ben Resner (Farmingdale, N.Y.), who is 6'2 and appeared in four games last season.

FORWARDS

6 Returning, 2 New, 1 Lost

Stony Brook will have some outstanding forwards playing down low in the paint, including returning junior tri-captain Tommy Brenton (Columbia, Md.), who missed all of the 2010-11 season due to injury. He was America East's leading rebounder as a sophomore in 2009-10 and led the Seawolves that season in rebounds, assists and steals. He has tremendous court vision and brings toughness and tenacity to his position. Stony Brook will benefit from having him back on the court because he makes everyone around him better.

In the middle will be senior tri-captain Dallis Joyner (Norfolk, Va.), who is expected to provide the low-post offense. Last season, Joyner battled injuries but still managed to be the team's leading rebounder and second-leading shot blocker. Fully healthy so far this year, Joyner had an outstanding five-game run in Europe, posting a double figure average in scoring. 

Expected to either start or be one of the first off the bench is junior college transfer Ron Bracey (Cincinnati, Ohio), who joins the Seawolves after two very successful seasons at Kellogg Community College. Bracey was an NJCAA All-American last season after averaging 23.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. A 6-5, 220-pound swingman, Bracey can score from anywhere on the court, he can spot-up the jumper and back down in the post, and he brings toughness in the paint. During the exhibition trip to Europe, he led the Seawolves in scoring with an 11.6 PPG average.

Seniors Danny Carter (Windsor, England) and Al Rapier (Chicago, Ill.) bring a wealth of experience to the forward position. Carter is arguably one of the better defenders in the conference and is a three-point scoring threat. Asked to start in place of Brenton last season, Carter shot 40 percent from the field and averaged four rebounds a game. Rapier showed strong skills around the basket last season in his first year with the Seawolves. He brings rebounding and post presence scoring to the team.

The Seawolves have a pair of tall sophomore forwards in Eric McAlister (Hightstown, N.J.) and Anthony Mayo (Philadelphia, Pa.). McAlister, at 6'8, is perhaps the most athletic of all the Seawolves and had flashes of greatness last season, including playing some very important minutes during the America East Championship last season. Mayo is offensively polished with a strong 15-foot jump shot, and he also is the team's best shot blocker. Both will see minutes this season as they provide needed depth.

The Seawolves welcome 6-8 forward Scott King (Derry, N.H.) into the fold. The true freshman is a pure three-point scorer and has incredible range. Put into the right situation, he could come in and provide instant offense for the Seawolves.

SCHEDULE
The Seawolves will be tested this season as they face four teams that reside in "BCS" level conferences, including the season opener at Indiana of the Big Ten. It will be one of two Big Ten opponents for Stony Brook, as the team also plays at Northwestern Nov. 25. Less than a week after the team plays at Boston College (Dec. 11) of the ACC, the Seawolves will take on the BIG EAST's Rutgers as part of the MSG Holiday Festival. Wrapped around the four BCS games are competitve dates against members of the Northeast Conference (Sacred Heart & Fairleigh Dickinson), the Ohio Valley Conference (Eastern Illinois), the Ivy League (Columbia & Cornell) and the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (Rider). Stony Brook will play a 16-game, round robin America East schedule that includes home dates with defending tournament champion Boston University (Jan. 27) and defending regular season champion Vermont (Jan. 2).