This was an interesting week for Stony Brook. It went 1-1 for its only week against ranked teams; exciting win at Syracuse in OT, disappointing loss to a good John Hopkins squad at home. It’s the only real gauge for this team for the season. The balance of the schedule is against CAA teams and non-ranked non-conference games. Any loss is a “bad” loss from now until the tournament.
Why is that interesting? Isn't that usually the case for Stony Brook? Their schedule has never been on par with other traditional Top 10 Programs. Over the years Stony Brook has had a weak record verse Top 10 opponents and an abysmal record vs Top 5 opponents. That said, maybe this is the year they finally get over the hump.
In 2022 they played six ranked teams. In 2023 they played five ranked teams. This year only two, which was last week.
Actually, in 2022 Stony Brook played 5 Top 20 teams and in 2023 they played 4 Top 20 teams during the regular season.
Stony Brook went 5 - 4 vs Top 20 (regular season) during the regular season in 2022 and 2023.
Stony Brook is certainly a Top 10 Program but they have never really played a regular season schedule that would be considered as difficult as the other Top 10 Programs.
The reality is that Stony Brooks relatively soft regular season schedule has enabled them to garner excellent regular season records consistently. Their regular season records translate to favorable treatment in the rankings but has not helped them vs top competition in the NCAA Tournament.
Currently their are 3 Top 20 teams on their schedule and they are 1 - 2 vs the Top 20. There is an outside chance that an additional one or two teams on the SBU schedule could be ranked at the end of the season but that is unlikely.
They will win their conference and make the NCAA Tournament and maybe break through this year.
The losses may actually help them down the road.
Best of Luck to The Seawolves!
