STONY BROOK, N.Y. — Two America East powers meet Wednesday night in Burlington, as Stony Brook and Vermont clash for the 45th time in series history. Both teams opened up America East play with wins, as Stony Brook dispatched Maine 80-72, while Vermont ran away from New Hampshire, 82-68.

The Seawolves have won six of seven and eight of ten since starting the season with losses in three of their first four contests and ride that high into a three-game stretch that pits them against league challengers in Vermont, New Hampshire and UMBC. 

THE GRITTY
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Patrick Gymnasium - Burlington, Vt.
Streaming: ESPN3
Live Stats: Sidearm Stats

SCOUTING THE CATAMOUNTS

• Vermont will enter Wednesday night on a three-game winning streak that stretches back nearly a month, starting with a Dec. 10 contest with Brown.
• The Catamounts' most recent contest served as their America East opener, an 82-68 victory over New Hampshire on Thursday night at Patrick Gym.
• In his fifth season, Ben Shungu recorded a career-high 29 points on 11-for-16 shooting. He is one of three scorers averaging double figures for John Becker's club.
• The squad ranks fourth in the country in fewest turnovers and are sixth in the country in turnovers per game, while again sitting as the league's best scoring defense. Its 60.7 points per game allowed is also good for 25th nationally.

SERIES HISTORY

• In meeting No. 45 between the two squads, Vermont has controlled the all-time series 32-12, including a 19-4 advantage in Burlington.
• The Seawolves won up there in 2020, an 81-77 victory. Elijah Olaniyi had a game-high 28 points with 11 rebounds that night.

THE R3TURN - PART 2

After being out 10 games due to injury, Elijah Olaniyi made his return to the floor on Saturday afternoon against Maine, finishing with a team-high 16 points and a game-sealing block to help Stony Brook to a win in its conference opener, 80-72.

The 2019-20 First Team All-Conference and NABC All-District selection posted a season high in scoring against the Black Bears and is currently one of four Seawolves averaging double figures in points.
 

BOARD MEETINGS

One of the best rebounding guards in the region, Tykei Greene has taken his talents to new heights this year. He currently sits first in the league in rebounds per game (7.6) and offensive rebounds per game (3.0), while sitting 42nd nationally in the latter category.

His 7.6 boards per contest is a career-high to this point, besting his 6.9 per game average a season ago. Nationally, he ranks fourth among guards in offensive rebounding and is inside the Top 15 within his position in overall rebounding.
 

JAH-STEAL

En route to being one of the most prolific guards the Seawolves have ever had, Jahlil Jenkins is aiding his defense in taking the ball away. With 11 steals over his last three contests and seven consecutive multi-steal games, the Fairleigh Dickinson transfer is averaging 2.23 steals per contest, which would break the current Division I program record.

He also leads the league in assist-to-turnover ratio, dishing out just over two assists per giveaway, and is first in both steals per game (2.23) and total steals (29). He ranks 18th nationally in takeaways per contest.
 

BATTLE AT THE ARC

Stony Brook has established a prowess at both ends of the floor outside of the 3-point arc. Entering Tuesday's action, the Seawolves sat inside the Top 50 in defensive 3-point percentage, allowing teams to hit 29.7 percent from long range, and are coming off allowing its fewest 3's of the season with Maine hitting just four.

They will defend a Vermont team that is in the bottom 50 of teams, hitting just 29.8 percent from long range. The Catamounts allowed New Hampshire to hit 57.1 percent from long range in their conference opener on Thursday.
 

STARTING FROM THE TOP

For the first time since the 2015-16 campaign, the Seawolves were selected Number 1 in the America East preseason poll. Holding five of the 10 first place votes, head coach Geno Ford's club finished ahead of Vermont by three points heading into the year.

The Seawolves have made three semifinal appearances since that 15-16 campaign and are looking to get back to the final for the first time since that championship season.

For an inside look at the Stony Brook men's basketball program, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.