One would think that with being on the verge of becoming the all-time scoring leader in Stony Brook basketball history and having one final shot at making the NCAA Tournament, senior Bryan Dougher would be facing all types of pressure. But he is not. The point guard is looking forward to the challenges as he approaches his goals set as an incoming freshman four years ago.
Coming from Scotch Plains, New Jersey, the 6’1’’ guard entered his Stony Brook career with two major goals: making March Madness and becoming the scoring leader.
“It was a personal goal I set for myself when I came into Stony Brook,” Dougher said. “It’s all starting to sink in for me.” Also, with time running out, Dougher feels this team here could be the one to make it to the Big Dance. “We have a lot of confidence, especially the veterans, since we’ve known the system for a while. We have four seniors and we’re comfortable with each other. Obviously our goal as a team is to make the tournament, but we also want to win the regular season, league and conference titles. Anything less would be a disappointment for us.”
But as one might recall, Seawolves basketball was not always a contender and only won nine conference games in head coach Steve Pikiell’s first three seasons.
Since this senior class came in, which comprised of Dougher, Danny Carter, Al Rapier and Dallis Joyner, the team has won over 40 conference games. “We brought in four winners, and came in with a mission, which was to improve the program,” Dougher said. With these four seniors, the men’s basketball team has reached the National Invitational Tournament in 2009-10 and the America East Tournament finals just last season. Like the rest of the Stony Brook family, Dougher and his teammates are ready for the final step: making the NCAA Tournament.
Last season’s team fell just short of that goal, a gut-wrenching 56-54 loss to Boston University, with a win putting the Seawolves into the Big Dance. This year’s team has learned from its mistakes and looks to achieve its goal this season.
“We’re one of the best teams defensively, which has made us more comfortable as team,” Dougher said. “We all bought into what coach has preached, which was the defense. Defense has been a huge focus for us.”
Also bringing back junior Tommy Brenton, who missed last season with an injury, is a major plus for this team. Dougher said “Getting back Tommy is great for this team. He does a lot more than the stuff on the stat sheet says.”
With Dougher and the rest of the senior class graduating at the end of the year, it will be an end of a class that has transformed the program unlike any other before it.
“I’m going to miss the overall team aspect, the gelling and our very high team chemistry. That is the reason we played as well as we did over the years,” Dougher said. “I’m also going to miss the guys I played with here at Stony Brook and the campus in general.” Anyone who has followed this team has seen how close they really are. They can be seen in the crowd for the women’s games and supporting the other teams on campus. Dougher also praised the administration for its role in helping to bring attention to the team.
“The administration here at Stony Brook did a great job getting fans here for the games,” Dougher said. “I know when I came here there weren’t that many fans, but since we’ve been winning a lot more fans have been supporting us.”
With a career as great as Dougher’s, there are a lot of games that stick out: the championship game against Boston last season, or the NIT game against Illinois in 2010, or maybe even his 30 point game against Boston on Jan. 2, 2010.
But the game that Dougher felt was most memorable for him was the one against Vermont in February 2010. “The game against Vermont in my sophomore year was most memorable for me,” Dougher said. “It was for the regular season title and the gym was packed with red-out. It was the first regular season championship for the school.”
One of the things that has helped Dougher grow as both a basketball player and a person in general has been the help of his coach. Pikiell, a 1990 graduate of the University of Connecticut, was also a point guard and was captain of his team. “He’s done a great job teaching me, and we’ve spent countless hours going over film,” Dougher said.
With his college basketball career nearing the end, Dougher looks to keep playing. “I’m still looking to play as long as I can. I am graduating with my business degree but I am looking at playing possibly playing overseas,” said Dougher.
Those who have watched the basketball team since 2008-09 have seen the progress of a kid from New Jersey who will turn around the entire program and possibly become the all-time scoring leader in Stony Brook history. Dougher will definitely be missed by all in the Stony Brook community, not only for his basketball triumphs, but also for his off-the-court demeanor.
