Pikiell, Stony Brook focused on conference tourney
Stony Brook guard Tommy Brenton drives hard along the baseline against Binghamton in the first half. (Feb. 1, 2012) Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Beating Maine to win the America East regular-season basketball title Sunday was important for Stony Brook because it clinched a postseason bid to at least the NIT. But Seawolves coach Steve Pikiell says being the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament means little in the first two rounds.
"We get the white jersey is all we get," Pikiell said.
Of course, Stony Brook (20-8, 14-2) should have an advantage against Binghamton (2-28, 1-15) in a quarterfinal game at noon Saturday at the University of Hartford's Chase Family Arena. The No. 1 seed becomes more significant if the Seawolves win that game and Sunday's 5 p.m. semifinal against the Albany-New Hampshire winner. That would give them the right to host the conference final next Saturday, with an NCAA Tournament berth at stake.
Two years ago, Stony Brook was seeded first, only to lose to Boston University in the semifinals. The Seawolves made the final last year as the fifth seed but lost by two points at BU. Those experiences have shaped Pikiell's new approach in the quest for SBU's first NCAA bid.
"I used to have our guys fill out their brackets and envision it," Pikiell said, referring to the 2009-10 team that was No. 1. "Last time, we were talking about Game 3 if we win. This time, there's none of that talk. It's about us being focused and zoned in at 12 o'clock Saturday. We've eliminated a lot of that nonsense."
Pikiell told his team to concentrate on playing "Stony Brook basketball," emphasizing defense and rebounding. That was the key to a strong finish in which the Seawolves won 17 of 19 games and completed a 13-0 season at home. The leadership of starters Bryan Dougher, Dallis Joyner, Al Rapier, Tommy Brenton and Dave Coley is vital, but Pikiell said reserves Marcus Rouse, Lenny Hayes, Anthony Jackson, Danny Carter and Eric McAlister could play major roles.
"I think the most important thing for us moving into this tournament is our bench," he said. "They've played in crunch minutes. I think it makes it harder for teams to prepare for us."
Notes & quotes: Pikiell was honored at Friday's conference banquet as America East coach of the year for the second time, and Brenton was named defensive player of the year. Brenton and Dougher earned first-team all-conference honors and Joyner was named to the third team.
