Upstart Seawolves among favorites in America East
Coach Steve Pikiell was talking the other day about the new world that Stony Brook is living in.
Expectations and fan enthusiasm reached an all-time high with the Seawolves coming off their most successful season in program history.
The Seawolves will appear on television a school-record nine times, including making their regular-season debut on ESPN next week. More people know about Stony Brook basketball than ever before.
"For the UConn's of the world, they're always on (ESPN)," Pikiell said. "But, for us, it's a real new world that we're jumping into. A lot of good things have happened to our program."
Pikiell, who's in his sixth year, also has had to deal with some obstacles, losing two key players to injury.
Instead of opening the season against UConn on Friday in Storrs with a veteran team, Pikiell will rely on a rotation that includes a few newcomers. Not what the Bristol native expected when he agreed to play his former head coach, Jim Calhoun.
"We're just a little different when I did this schedule," Pikiell said. "Still, I'm excited. We have a chance to be pretty good. I just don't know when we're going to be pretty good."
Last season, Pikiell, who played at UConn (1986-91) and spent one season as an assistant (1991-92), guided the Seawolves to their first America East Conference regular-season title last season, won a Division I program-best 22 games and earned an automatic bid to the NIT.
In their first postseason appearance in the 11-year history as a Division I program, the Seawolves hosted Illinois, losing 76-66, but gaining respect and a bigger following.
Now Stony Brook enters the regular season as one of the conference favorites, being picked second in the preseason poll. Four starters return, including All-America East second-team pick Bryan Dougher.
"There's added pressure," Pikiell said. "It's kind of good."
Pikiell is cramming in as much preparation as possible this week with Stony Brook playing five games in the first eight days of the regular season.
In that stretch is a game at Monmouth on Tuesday that will be televised on ESPN as part of a college basketball marathon. Starting time is 6 a.m.
"We've never been on ESPN, so we just couldn't pass it up," Pikiell said. "It's a great opportunity for us."
Pikiell would feel better about the challenging start if not for injuries to starter Tommy Brenton, the leading rebounder in the conference the last two years, and sophomore Marcus Rouse. He may start two freshmen Friday. Guard Dave Coley, the highest-rated recruit ever to commit to Stony Brook, is expected to be an impact player.
"We're a little bit young now, but everyone's got their headaches," Pikiell said. "No one cares. You've still got to win."
There will be no sympathy from Calhoun and the Huskies, who have five freshmen in the rotation.
Pikiell isn't buying the theory that this is a good time to play UConn because of its inexperience.
"I don't know if there is ever a good time," Pikiell said. "I know one thing, (Calhoun) has never lost a home opener. As a matter of fact, I think the winning margin is obscene.
"Whatever good happened last year, it's over. We're playing UConn. This is a new season and a new chapter. The one way to end it quickly is to play a team like UConn, who's really good."
Calhoun also has never lost to a former assistant, going 13-0. Pikiell lost in his last trip home, 91-57, Dec. 15, 2008, and again in 2005 (85-52).
Pikiell also was on the losing end while as an assistant on Karl Hobbs' staff at George Washington and on Howie Dickenman's staff at Central Connecticut State University."I should be his favorite assistant coach because I donated the most to his win column," Pikiell said.
