More than a month after its season ended, the Stony Brook University men’s basketball team is still finding ways to win.
The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) announced that Head Coach Steve Pikiell was this year’s Met Basketball Writers Association (MBWA) Peter A. Carlesimo Coach of the Year. The award comes after Pikiell received Coach of the Year honors from the conference and was also named America East Coach of the Year by the Sporting News.
Seawolves senior guard Muhammad El-Amin was also recognized for his efforts this year. El-Amin received Division I All-Met first team honors, the first Stony Brook player to do so since D.J. Munir was a third team selection in 2003-04. In early April, El-Amin was an AP All-America Honorable Mention, another award added to the many he’s received this year.
“I couldn’t be prouder of Muhammad; he has worked hard at making himself a better player and I’m happy that he could be recognized for his hard work,” said Pikiell in a statement on the team’s website. “I’m also extremely honored to be recognized among all the great coaches in this area. Our program could not have had the success we had this year without the great support of [Stony Brook Director of Athletics] Jim Fiore, our athletics’ administration and the entire University community,” he added.
The accolades reflect the kind of season the Seawolves had. Led by Pikiell on the sidelines and El-Amin on the court, the team grabbed its first America East Conference title and posted a 22-10 record, the best in team history. The Seawolves also tasted postseason basketball for the first time, falling in the first round of the NIT to the Fighting Illini of Illinois.
Though El-Amin will be gone next year, Pikiell will still be at the helm trying to steer the Seawolves to another successful season. With four starters returning to the line-up, Stony Brook will be expected to not just duplicate but surpass this year’s achievements. The team is currently conducting postseason workouts in preparation for the tough task ahead. The 2010-11 season kicks off in mid-November.
