Following a defeat by the University of Vermont on February 12, the Seawolves came right back to best Northeastern in a decisive 76-69 win on the Huskies’ home turf.

Junior Tommy Brenton orchestrated the offense on Saturday, kicking the team’s energy into high gear in the second half. He was one of three players to end the game with double digits, scoring 13 points and adding seven rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and two steals to the action.

Sophomore guard Dave Coley matched a career-high of 21 points, previously set against Boston University in the early days of the season. Senior Dallis Joyner added a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds and remained a solid force inside the paint, making Northeastern look outside to their jump shooters.

The Seawolves, whose record from the free throw line was a satisfactory 13-19, relied on their inside game and speed to match the three-pointers of the Huskies, who went 10-17 from behind the arc.

Since their February 9 win against UMBC, the long shots have not been falling for Stony Brook. In their game against Vermont, the Seawolves went a startling 0-15 from the three-point line.

Their comeback against Northeastern was typical of what fans hope to see in the coming weeks leading up to the America East Conference and the bid for the NCAAs: the Seawolves will not fall asleep on defense with a lead, and they will not get frustrated when they’re down.

Under the leadership of Head Coach Steve Pikiell, the men keep to their plays and buckle down, not rushing or panicking as time begins to run out. With the added bonus of Tommy Brenton, who knows when to dish the ball out and flash into the paint and how to keep cool in big moments, the Seawolves are looking for a trip to the ‘Big Dance.’

Brenton, who was out for the entirety of last season due to injury, including the heart wrenching two-point loss to Boston University that would have led to the first NCAA bid in Stony Brook’s history, is one of the conference’s leading rebounders, averaging 8.85 rebounds a game. He could be the missing piece in the NCAA puzzle.

Stony Brook is at the top of the America East Conference, but their loss to UVM keep the dreams of the Huskies alive for the top seed.

The Conference Championships are set to begin on Saturday, March 3, at the University of Hartford in Connecticut.

The Seawolves will face Hartford at noon on February 21, and the Maine Black Bears at noon on February 26 at home before beginning Conference play.

In the wake of the Binghamton University basketball program’s fall from grace over the past year, a group of university faculty members are collecting signatures to press the school to drop its Division I athletics status.

Signed by nearly 20 faculty members, the statement recommended that the faculty senate decide on whether the school should remain in Division I, according to the New York Times.

The letter also noted outgoing University President Lois B. DeFleur’s failed attempts to control the basketball program as well as her desire to promote athletics at the expense of academic responsibilities.

“Lois B. DeFleur’s two-decades-long tenure as president of Binghamton University has ended in real harm to the university’s reputation and pride,” the letter said, according to the New York Times.

DeFleur, who has served as university president since 1990, will retire at the end of the spring 2010 semester. She will leave behind an athletics program whose reputation has taken a large hit under her tenure, after several reports accused the basketball team’s players and staff of breaching ethical standards.

SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher will make recommendations on March 23 on how to deal with the Binghamton scandal, a decision that faculty members hope their letter can influence.

“Withdrawal from membership in Division I is in the interest of this university that aspires to be a ‘premier’ public research institution,” the letter said, according to the New York Times.

The statement also admonished university leadership for covering up mistakes in its athletics program instead of confronting them, the New York Times said.

The university fields 21 Division I teams, all of which have avoided negative media spotlight except for men’s basketball. This being the case, some Binghamton students said they see an exit from Division I as the wrong move.

“Why should the university punish the other sports teams for the faults of men’s basketball?” said Jordan Schiff, a senior economics major at Binghamton. “There have been many fine accomplishments when it comes to the other teams here. To punish the masses for the faults of a few does no good to anybody.”

Schiff also suggested that leaving Division I, which includes rival Stony Brook University, may come across as a simple solution to an institutional problem.

“It’s going to take time for the men’s basketball team to return to successful form,” Schiff said. “Still, it can be achieved without leaving D-1. In fact, it would be even more impressive. Dropping down to D-3 would just be the easy way out.”

John Hartrick, Associate Director of Athletics for Communications at Binghamton, could not be reached for comment.

In years past, finding more than a couple thousand Stony Brook students who even know the names of more than one player on the basketball team was probably an exercise in futility. But this wasn’t a normal year, and as that number of fans packed a raucous a Stony Brook University Arena on March 18, things seemed to be different for once.

Water! — Photo Courtesy of SBU Athletic Department

And even hundreds more were turned away for the program’s first postseason game in Division I, something that seemed nearly impossible just five years ago when coach Steve Pikiell headed a group that finished with a 4-24 record.

But by Pikiell installing a base of hard-working players and a never-say-die mentality that started to spread even outside the locker room, a victory here versus the number one seed Illinois Fighting Illini didn’t even seem too unrealistic.

Illinois certainly had the history, the Big Ten pedigree and NCAA Tournament aspirations that led the school to schedule Cirque du Soleil at their home stadium for the weekend, forcing the NIT first round game to be played at Stony Brook instead, but it was unclear if they had the same hunger as Stony Brook.

The Seawolves came out fired up, scoring the first seven points and trading the lead back and forth with the Fighting Illini for most of the first half, where they trailed by just two points when the buzzer rang.

Keying off of turnovers and putting up points in the paint despite lacking an obvious counter to the height of the Illinois frontcourt, Stony Brook kept up the pace and hoped to match that tempo after halftime.

But whether it was the size difference, or just the wear and tear of facing a much deeper and physical team than is typically found in the America East, the Seawolves started to fade as the second half began. The Fighting Illini opened with a 17-7 run, and despite a number of impressive plays by Chris Martin and Brian Dougher, the Seawolves couldn’t keep up.

As Illinois continued to clean up on the boards as Stony Brook searched for that big three point play that had carried the team through its school record 22 wins this year, the eventual writing was written on the wall. As the clock wound down, the Fighting Illini just stayed afloat, and finished with an eventual 76-66 victory.

However, not one of those four thousand fans likely left in disappointment, as the excitement on the court was nearly palpable.

“We can pretty much compete with anyone in the country,” said Dougher following the game. “We will miss the leadership of our seniors here, but the future is bright here.”

And that future will be tested next year, as expectations are sure to be higher than ever.

“This isn’t a lacrosse town anymore,” said Pikiell in the post-game press conference. “We’re trying to make it a basketball town.”

For that night, it certainly was, and if Pikiell has his way, there will be many more as the calendar turns to next fall.

After a whirlwind season for the Stony Brook Seawolves men’s basketball team that culminated in the team’s first America East regular season title and a bevy of school records and personal accomplishments, expectations for the number one seeded team were sky high going into the America East Conference tournament this past weekend in West Hartford, Conn.

The first round match-up seemed favorable for the Seawolves, as they were scheduled against the Albany Great Danes, a team they had already beaten twice during the regular season, albeit by a combined eight points in the two games. Still, with a spot in the NCAA tournament going to the team who won the tournament, they need a victory, and won a hard-fought game, 68 to 59.

The next game seemed like an even more lopsided game on paper. The Seawolves were matched with the Boston University Terriers, who they last played on January 30 and thoroughly beat by a score of 71 to 55. The Terriers had picked up their game as of late, winning seven of the eight games after being dismantled by Stony Brook, but still seemed to be outmatched in terms of overall talent.

Was this the year for Stony Brook? The team’s 21 wins was a school record, ditto with the conference championship banner that will hang from the rafters of a hopefully packed Pritchard Gymnasium next season. Senior guard Muhammad El-Amin won the America East Player of the Year award and coach Steve Pikiell took home coach of the year honors as well, two distinctions that the program had never received. The writing seemed to be on the wall.

Unfortunately though, the Cinderella story only plays out in fairytales.

After opening the game strong, the Seawolves turned flat. At one point they trailed 37-21, and at halftime were faced with a 13 point deficit. But the team battled, and quickly retook the lead, and with less than six minutes remaining, were up by four points.

However, the strict defense and quality free throw shooting that boosted the team all year failed them in this one, and as the Terriers controlled play down the stretch, the eventual loss was inevitable, with a final score of 70-63.

“We’re one game short of our goal for the year,” said Pikiell following the game. “But we had a terrific year.”

All is not lost however, as there are still some games to be played, although not in the more prestigious of the two NCAA tournaments . By virtue of winning the regular season championship and then losing in the conference tournament, the Seawolves earned an automatic birth in the 32-team National Invitational Tournament, better known as the NIT. Although it’s unlikely that the team earns a high seed at the March 14 selection show , Pritchard Gym could host another game this year as well. More than likely though, the team will be on the road for their first round game, which will take place on either March 16 or 17.

Regardless of the eventual result of the forthcoming games, the team set new standards not only for themselves, but for the entire athletic program at the Division I level. Although the team will lose El-Amin next season, along with three other important seniors, the young nucleus of players guided by Pikiell should be a force to be reckoned with going forward.

Hopefully they just need another year to make sure that slipper fits.

There is no question that Stony Brook is currently overflowing with problems: academic resources are dwindling, our Byzantine bureaucracy is frustrating, the infrastructure is crumbling, and students are suffering.

Stony Brook pride is practically nonexistent among its 23,000 students, who openly express apathy and dissatisfaction. The overpriced Stony Brook clothing is just a façade of school spirit. Even the Candyland-like Zebra Path is chipping away to show its true monochrome nature. It exemplifies that, no matter how much paint you put on something, the true colors will show. But there is one exception to this depressing prologue: Stony Brook Basketball.

For a team that is 13-11, the Men’s Basketball team kept fans, faculty and administrators alike entertained in a close game against Binghamton. Though the Seawolves lost by a basket in overtime, nothing can take away from the pride and school spirit exhibited by the game’s attending.

Very rarely does one experience the sight of students cheering for Stony Brook or shouting, “Go, Fight, Win!” which includes other sporting events. Yet, for some reason, at this particular basketball game-the first of this semester-the arena, though small, was packed, and the energy resonated throughout the whole court.

The sounds of the marching band, the sight of cheerleaders cart wheeling across the floor, the feeling of that ever so needed school pride and spirit that has been so heavily discussed. Surprisingly, this has been the case for the majority of the games played this season.

Students continually fill up seats, administrators who deal with budgets and classes dress in red, and even the heavily criticized President Kenny has attended more than a handful of games. Does this mean that all the problems are fixed and the university is great?

Not necessarily, but it brings hope to a school clouded with such high negativity. For just a couple of hours, students can escape to a world where shouting degrading comments about the physique of an opposing player makes them feel better about themselves. As juvenile as that may sound, it relieves the tension between a student and his or her problems at Stony Brook, and, most importantly, expresses school spirit and pride.

There is no other location or time where students are as spirited or involved with the university than basketball games at Pritchard Gymnasium, which dwarfs even the football games at LaValle Stadium. Basketball games have become an oasis of what students may expect to experience from a university compared to their time at Stony Brook. Other than last homecoming, when students rushed onto the field after a nail-biting win, basketball is becoming the precedent of what other athletic teams and events should look to follow.

With the spring season on the way, athletics continue to be a vital role in how students look at Stony Brook. Though judged by wins, which is undoubtedly heavily marketed by the athletic department, Stony Brook sports have found success in the past.

Just last year, both the Men’s Baseball and Women’s Softball teams won the America East Conference to advance to their respective NCAA tournaments. Women’s Cross-Country won its second conference title.  Edwin Gowins was recently awarded the Freshman of the Year award by College Sporting News becoming the first Seawolf to win the award. Women’s Soccer is coming off of its most successful season since 1994 by winning 11 games this season.

Sure, it seems like athletics are transitioning their program from focusing on development to competitiveness, but, it is rare that there will be the same type of student involvement and activity seen in basketball games in other types of athletics.

For an institution 50 years young, there is no defining tradition that students can relate to; there are only problems. Nonetheless, that is the beauty of sports: it allows one to escape from reality while bettering the experience.

Invited by the Stony Brook Athletic Department, Ohio State Football Coach Jim Tressel shared his experience with athletes and coaches alike. His advice for Stony Brook was simple. “What we did at Ohio State is we would build on all past traditions, even if it wasn’t that well established,” he said. “We would then talk about what we wanted to build, and celebrate every step.”

Though Stony Brook may seem like it means well, any progress is to be overshadowed by its current lingering problems. That is, unless there are more basketball games.

The men’s basketball team kicked off the 08-09 season with a hard-fought and convincing win over Maryland-Eastern Shore with a score of 60-44. The Seawolves opening game win inspired the hope and change many students have been talk about considering last year’s record.

The Seawolves jumped out to an early lead and kept it throughout the whole game, despite constant efforts by Maryland-Eastern Shore to get back in the game. The Seawolves looked cohesive in their first game, and showed off a lot of talent and potential for the season ahead. To best understand these players’ skill set and appearance, we have bestowed them with nicknames that reflect their NBA counterparts.

Senior guard Michael Tyree (5 ft 11, #5), resembling Milwaukee Bucks’ Tyron Lue, started the game by sinking a deep three-pointer. He has range all over the court and was a big scorer for the team last year. Senior forward Demetrius Young (6 ft 6, #21), most similar to Portland Trailblazers’ Travis Outlaw, brought the home crowd to its feet on a vicious fast break dunk late in the first half. He has an excellent frame for defense and shows flashes of superior athletic ability.

Stony Brook has infused its team with some foreign talent this year as well. Freshman forward Danny Carter (6 ft 9, #2), whose playing skills were close to Bucks Joe Alexander, has come all the way from Windsor, England. Carter displayed his diverse skill by scoring 11 points and dishing out a game-high three blocks. He has good size, evidenced by his rebounds and blocks, but can also hit the three and move well in transition. Freshman guard/forward Tommy Brenton (6 ft 5, #24), resembling the Detroit Pistons’ White Jason Maxiell led the Seawolves in rebounds with 16, along with 8 points. He is an excellent defender and hustle player, who showed a commitment to tough defense and was able to score numerous put-backs on offensive rebounds despite being undersized at the forward position.

Point guard Bryan Dougher (6 ft 1, #10) resembled the Trailblazers’ Steve Blake showing great leadership on the court for a freshman, as he executed the offense smoothly and played with a high motor. He is a prototypical point who passes the ball well, finds the open man, moves the ball well in transition, and can shoot the occasional three. Junior guard Eddie Castellanos (6 ft 1, #12) paralleled the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Eric Snow by not showing much on offense, but being a beast on defense.

Freshman forward Dallis Joyner (6 ft 7, #23), playing like the Houston Rockets’ Carl Landry, and junior forward/center Andrew Goba (6 ft 9, #32), playing like the Trailblazers Ike Diogu, shared minutes running the frontcourt for SBU. Head coach Steve Pikiell, in many ways resembling Golden State Warriors’ coach Don Nelson, ran a perimeter oriented offense with an emphasis on pushing the fast break. When SBU did get into a half-court set they constantly passed the ball around the perimeter, but rarely did they run the offense through the post. At times in the game they lived and died by the three.

Their scrappy defense was the Seawolves biggest strength during the game. Steals and shot denials lead to fast breaks and quick points. Maryland-Eastern Shore was able to score uncontested down in the post, but SBU is likely to improve in that area as the season progresses.

Because the primary basketball arena is being renovated, the Pritchard student gymnasium is being used as SBU’s home court. So far, it has been a success. Students turned out in force and filled the gymnasium nearly to capacity. The dance team, cheerleaders, and school band were all in attendance and the crowd loudly showed our swagger like any Division I program should.

After winning their home opener, the Seawolves lost three consecutive games to LaFayette, Wagner, and American, 80-71, 65-62, and 56-53 respectively. Coming off two nail biting losses, the Seawolves defeated Columbia in a 62-60 win on Nov 29. The Men’s basketball team is currently 2-3 with their next home game this Friday against Lehigh at 7 pm. Stony Brook is also set to play Long Island rivals Hofstra at home on Wednesday, December 10.

One of 14 children and a member of the Angolan National Team in the 2006 FIBA World Basketball Championships, former Stony Brook Seawolves center Emanuel Neto has made quite the impact on and off the court at Stony Brook University.

However, the past season for Neto on the court was not without distraction. Neto’s mother, Fatima Domingos da Silva, was ill for quite some time and sadly passed away from kidney disease.

“He’s always so enthusiastic,” stated Seawolves head coach Steve Pikiell. “Everyone in Stony Brook loves him.”

Majoring in Multidisciplinary Studies, the 6’ 9” center is adjusting to life in the United States.

“Life is very different here,” stated Neto. “Back home [Angola] there is no running water, you do not have gas, and there is no electricity every day. Society is very different. Here, the school is big in diversity.”

With Stony Brook’s short history in Division I of the NCAA, Neto had a leading role in the 2006-2007 season helping the Seawolves win more than double the amount than the previous 2005-2006 season. Neto led the 2006-2007 Seawolves in rebounds (5.5 per game) and blocks (17) after transferring from San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas.

“He’s a rebounder and he blocks shots,” stated Pikiell. “He guarded Dirk Nowitzki in the 2006 World Basketball Championships in Japan.”

Despite only being in Stony Brook for two years, Neto has certainly had his memorable moments as a Seawolf. In the 2006-2007 season, Stony Brook earned perhaps the biggest victory in the program’s history with a victory over Penn State, one of the Big Ten.

“At Penn State, it was different,” said Neto. “The odds of winning that game were so small. It was just one of the biggest wins in school history. Mitchell Beauford, Mike Popoko, Ricky Lucas, and I were all just focused that game, as the coaches directed us through the whole game.”

As for the 2007-2008 season, the Seawolves lost by a close margin of 10 on the road against the highly renowned Kentucky Wildcats. Leading the team with 12 rebounds, Neto was able to create a stir even from the fans of the Wildcats.

“I got three or four e-mails from Kentucky fans saying, ‘I know you didn’t win the game, but I love #50 (Neto). He played with heart.’” mentioned Pikiell.

Aside from basketball, the former Stony Brook center plays a number of sports. Attending Colegio Henriques, Neto played soccer and volleyball before getting into basketball.

“Volleyball helped me improve the most because it helped improve my jumping ability,” said Neto. “Soccer helped me have quick feet and it also helped with my lower body.” With soccer being the common sport in Angola, Neto had a late start when it came to playing basketball.

“I was not playing basketball until around the age of 17-18,” said Neto. “I never really had an interest in basketball. I was around 17 when I finally played once and liked it. So I started practicing. There were a couple of players in my neighborhood. I also had a cousin who played for a team back home.”

On the Stony Brook campus, Neto can be found actively and vocally supporting the Seawolves at various athletic events. “In Stony Brook, I am very vocal at the games because not enough people do it,” mentioned Neto. “In Angola, people at soccer games go crazy and insane. I just wanted to carry the spirit and cheer for our teams.”

With the past season being his senior year,  Neto’s departure will be a heavy loss for Stony Brook.

“I wish I had him for four years,” replied Pikiell. “He certainly has started this year off on the right track. I wish I had a team of Emanuels.”

“I want the team to have a winning season,” replied Neto. “The coaches, the team, and the school deserve it. Some of the guys on the team have been here for awhile and they have never had a winning season. I want them to know how it is to have a winning season.”

While his basketball career may be over at Stony Brook, Neto is again expected to be a part of the Angolan National Team, this time in the 2008 Summer Olympics. Angola has been drawn in Group B, which includes the United States, along with Olympic host, China.