Following an injury-plagued 2022-23 season that noticed Stony Brook’s worst end in 15 years, the Seawolves are resurging in 2023-24 behind a forged of veterans and native merchandise.
Off to an 8-7 begin with six wins of their final eight contests, a completely wholesome squad rife with switch expertise has been integral to Stony Brook’s early season success.
No one on the roster has epitomized this greater than Aaron Clarke, who made simply three appearances final season with a nagging again harm however has returned in a beginning position for the Seawolves.
As soon as once more battling accidents early this season, Clarke’s skills have been on full show in late December’s 69-65 win over Brown. With 19 factors, six boards and two steals, it was Clarke’s clutch capturing late within the second half that staved off a comeback effort from the Bears.
“[Clarke] had a stretch the place he took the sport over for us,” Stony Brook head coach Geno Ford mentioned. “He banged a pair three’s, hit a troublesome pullup on the baseline, and had a pair drive kicks that led to some baskets for us on his additional go stuff. We’re fortunate we had the cushion we had, which was clearly simply sufficient to get us over the hump as [Clarke’s] two free throws sealed it.”
Now absolutely wholesome, Ford mentioned having a veteran presence like Clarke to guide the backcourt is vital to the crew’s continued growth with convention play underway.
“For us, good level guard play is the distinction between profitable and shedding shut video games,” Ford mentioned. “Aaron’s a man that we all know can shut video games. He battled accidents however to his credit score, when he got here again he was absolutely in form.”
Equally battling accidents final season however returning to contribute in 2023-24 is Dean Noll, a graduate switch from Cornell who missed everything of final season after tearing his ACL.
Pairing alongside Clarke within the backcourt, Noll has began all 15 contests this season for Stony Brook and averages 8.5 PPG whereas capturing a constant 32% from deep.
He’s quietly been a spark plug for the Seawolves, placing on his finest performances towards the hardest competitors with 15 factors towards St. John’s, 14 factors towards Nebraska and 16 factors over Yale.
One other switch taking part in a giant position for the Seawolves this season is 7-footer Keenan Fitzmorris, who arrived on campus throughout the 2022 offseason from Stanford.
Averaging 11.2 PPG, he’s at present Stony Brook’s third-leading scorer. In opposition to Brown, he contributed 16 factors to edge out the win.
“Now we have sufficient capturing which permits guys to play one-on-one within the field and [Fitzmorris] is a tough man to play one-on-one,” mentioned Ford. “[Against Brown], Fitzmorris was actually good for us.”
Rounding out the switch contingent is Chris Maidoh, who arrived on Lengthy Island after 4 seasons at Fairfield the place he performed restricted minutes. Below Ford, he has emerged with a career-best 12 months and is averaging 8.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG and 1.1 BPG as a bodily inside risk.
Important to this resurgence has been a pair of native merchandise in Tyler Stephenson-Moore and Andre Snoddy.
Stephenson-Moore, a local of Jamaica, N.Y., and a graduate of Lengthy Island Lutheran Excessive Faculty, is a fifth-year senior who’s spent all 5 seasons with the Seawolves.
He’s at present Stony Brook’s main scorer for the second consecutive season, averaging a career-high 15.5 PPG which is nice to rank within the high 10 within the Coastal Athletic Affiliation.
Whereas Snoddy, a Melville, N.Y. native who graduated from Saint Anthony’s Excessive Faculty, returned dwelling this offseason after two years at Central Connecticut State.
Whereas his stats don’t essentially soar off the web page with simply 4.7 PPG and 5.9 RPG, Ford raved about Snoddy’s resolution making and his potential to excellent the small issues.
“[Against Brown], he did solely have 5 factors however I assumed Snoddy was superior and I instructed him after, to me it’s the very best recreation he’s had all 12 months,” Ford mentioned. “He had a really full recreation, didn’t make many errors, and I assumed he was very sharp.”
In accordance with Ford, having a pair of native merchandise as efficient contributors has emphasised that relationship with the area people, and it is made this sturdy begin to the season much more important.
“[Stephenson-Moore and Snoddy] aren’t solely good gamers, however the truth that they’re native, followers know them,” Ford mentioned. “Tyler’s been right here for 5 years, Andre simply received right here, however he’s made an impression. Any time you will get native guys, it’s useful to this system and in that case, each these guys we received proper.”
After a 1-1 begin to convention play with a win at Northeastern earlier than a loss at dwelling to Charleston, the Seawolves will look to proceed this resurgence with a matchup towards Towson Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.
