GETTING INSIDE

Surprises no more.

Last year, Stony Brook turned in a 16-14 record a year after going 7-23, making folks take notice.

Now, Steve Pikiell’s team, picked to finish fourth in the America East by the league’s coaches, are off to a 7-3 start, matching the best Stony Brook start since the program went Division I.

The losses, all on the road, were against Rhode Island, St. John’s and Fordham, the last of those three to a team and a program in turmoil.

The Stony Brook defense, which was leading the America East through mid-December, had a rough ride in allowing 93 points at Fordham but has been strong for most of the early going.

NOTES, QUOTES

• Stony Brook was off to a 7-3 start, matching the best opening since the program went Division I in 2001-02. The 7-3 is also the best start since an 8-1 beginning in 1992-93.

• The Seawolves were leading the America East in points allowed per game and field goal percentage defense through the first 10 games of the season.

• F Tommy Brenton was leading the conference in rebounding and was in double figures in boards six times through the first 10 games.

• The Seawolves were 6-2 when their bench outscored its counterparts.

• Coach Steve Pikiell was rewarded with a contract extension after leading the Seawolves to a 16-14 season a year ago, their most wins since 2000-01. The 8-8 America East record was a program best.

Key Early-season Conference Game:   at Boston University, Jan. 2—The conference opener is in Boston, where the Seawolves lost in four overtimes last year. BU is picked to win the league so you can see the importance of this game.

   LAST YEAR’S CONFERENCE RECORD: 8-8, tied for fourth place in America East.

   QUOTE TO NOTE: “What an outstanding effort from our team today. Our defense in the second half was tremendous and we then made enough plays down the stretch to get a terrific victory on the road.”—Stony Brook coach Steve Pikiell after his team’s win over Colgate.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

   WHAT WE LEARNED IN NOVEMBER: Stony Brook opened the season with three straight wins and was 5-1 by the end of November. Included was a 71-48 win at Wagner.

   DECEMBER AT A GLANCE: The Seawolves opened the month with losses at St. John’s and Fordham around a home win over Colgate. They had to visit Sacred Heart before the ending the month with home games against Saint Peter’s and Holy Cross, both good tests.

Player Rotation:   Usual Starters—F Tommy Brenton, F Dallis Joyner, G Muhammad El-Amin, G Bryan Dougher, G Marcus Rouse. Key Subs—G Chris Martin, C Danny Carter, G Eddie Castellanos, F/C Andrew Goba.

   ROSTER REPORT:

• Senior C Desmond Adedeji was lost for the season with a torn ACL. He played in seven games, averaging 7.7 points and 2.7 rebounds off the bench.

• F Dallis Joyner had his first career double-double—15 points and 10 rebounds—in the loss at Fordham. He was eighth in the America East in rebounding.

• G Bryan Dougher was averaging 15.5 points in a six-game stretch through Dec. 12.