AMHERST, MASS. -- Playing in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) for the third time in four years, America East regular-season champion Stony Brook takes the floor against UMass in Amherest on Wednesday. The game, which tips at 7:15 p.m., will be broadcast on ESPN3 with Doug Sherman (play-by-play) and Malcom Huckaby (analyst) on the call.
Stony Brook at UMass, 7:15 p.m. (ESPN3) - ESPN3 Broadcast | Live Stats | Stony Brook Radio
Stony Brook (24-7) is in the midst of its best season as a Division I member after setting a program record for wins with 24 and winning its third conference regular-season crown in four years. The Seawolves, who got upset by Albany in the America East semifinals, came up just each of its two previous times in the NIT, falling at home to Illinois by 10 in 2010 and at Seton Hall, 63-61 last year.
The Seawolves ranks 12th nationally allowing only just 56.8 points per game and third, holding foes to 37.5 percent shooting. The Seawolves are led by the America East Player and Defensive Player of the Year, Tommy Brenton, just the second player in league history to win both awards in the same season.
UMass (21-11) finished sixth in the Atlantic 10 and was one of the final teams eliminated from an NCAA at-large berth. The first meeting ever between the two teams will feature the Seawolves stellar defense against an Minuteman offense that averages 73.8 points per game.