Stony Brook's men's basketball team last season saw its season end with a loss to Vermont in the conference championship. As the 2012-2013 season nears, Vermont is the team to beat once again – but Stony Brook won't be far behind, after the America East conference announced the results of its coaches' poll on Tuesday.
Vermont was picked to win the conference, and Stony Brook received four first-place votes but was chosen as No. 2 in the men's poll.
Head coach Steve Pikiell told Newsday on Tuesday he feels that "preseason polls don't mean a lot, but it's exciting to be picked in the top few because I've been at the other end of the spectrum. Until someone knocks Vermont off, they're the champs."
Forward Tommy Brenton, last year's defensive player of the year who is now a senior, was picked for the preseason All-America East roster. Brenton and junior guard Dave Coley are two of the team's top returning players.
Stony Brook's women's team was picked to finish last in the conference. Head coach Beth O'Boyle, whose team went 1-15 in conference play during her first season as head coach, told Newsday: "We're very young, but we're more athletic, which is a big help."
