It’s a cinderella story on Long Island… as The Stony Brook men’s basketball team have officially headed to Des Moines, for their first NCAA tournament berth, Thursday evening. Their first dance in the Division I Tournament comes after program records were set on Saturday, as the Seawolves won the America East Championship Title against Vermont. The Seawolves (seeded 13th) will dance with the 4th seeded Kentucky Wildcats at 9:40 PM (EST) on Thursday, March 17th.
“We are going to play a historic program – one of the best programs in college basketball – with a Hall of Fame coach and first round draft picks all over the place. This is a great opportunity for our guys to go and continue their season and play one of the best teams in the country” – Coach Steve Pikiell
- This is the first appearance in the Division I Tournament for Stony Brook
- Jameel Warney set a Division I program record and tied an America East Championship record with 43 points.
- The Seawolves last made the NCAA Tournament in 1991, known then as the Patriots, as a member of Division III.
Who Will Dance On?
The Wildcats have the NBA hopeful, freshman guard Jamal Murray averaging 20 points per game and Sophmore pointguard, Tyler Ulis who averages 17 points and 7 assists per game. However, with leadership from Coach Steve Pikiell, the Seawolves’ three senior Captains; Jameel Warney (averaging 20 points and 11 rebounds per game) Rayshaun McGrew (11 points and 6 rebounds per game) and Carson Puriefoy (averages 15 points, 3 rebounds and assists per game) and the talented junior Ahmed Walker (averages 11 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists per game), the Seawolves are more than equipped to take on Kentucky
The victors of Thursday’s game, move on to the second round where they face Indiana or Chattanooga.