Yale at Stony Brook
Tuesday, Nov. 5, 7 p.m.
Island Federal Arena, Stony Brook, N.Y.
TV: SNY (SNY Channel Finder)
ESPN+ Video
Live Stats
Yale Game Notes | Stony Brook Game Notes
 
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The 2018-19 season was quite unforgettable for the Yale men's basketball team. The Bulldogs finished with a 22-8 overall record, won Ivy League regular season and tournament titles and advanced to the NCAA Tournament where they nearly pulled off an upset of third-seeded LSU. Now, it's time to make new memories. Yale kicks off the 2019-20 season by visiting Stony Brook on Tuesday night. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m., and the game will be televised on SNY.
 
There will be a new look to the Bulldogs this year as four starters have moved on, including Miye Oni, the 2019 Ivy League Player of the Year who is now a member of the Utah Jazz. Nevertheless, there is plenty of reason for optimism. James Jones, The Joel E. Smilow, Class of 1954 Head Coach of the Bulldogs, has built a program that year in and year out is in the hunt for the Ivy title.
 
Over the last five seasons, Yale has a remarkable 52-18 Ivy record. During that stretch, the Bulldogs have won three league titles and made two NCAA Tournament appearances, including earning the first NCAA victory in school history.
 
Despite the losses from a year ago, there is strong core returning, led by seniors Jordan Bruner, Eric Monroe and Austin Williams. Bruner was one of only two players to start all 30 games last year and finished in the top-10 in the league in rebounding (2^nd, 8.3 rpg.), blocked shots (3^rd, 1.5 per game) and assists (t-7^th, 3.0 per game). Monroe has been a regular in the rotation in each of his first three seasons and shot 45.5 percent from three-point range last year, while Williams, who has battled injuries, is a career 56.3 percent shooter and has impressed in the preseason.
 
Juniors Paul Atkinson, Azar Swain and Jalen Gabbidon should be major contributors as well. Atkinson is one of the most accurate shooters in school history. He has led the league in field goal percentage in each of his first two seasons and has shot 69.5 percent from the field in 61 games. Swain appeared in all 30 games a year ago and tied for seventh in the league in three-point field goals made (3.8 per game). Gabbidon also is a three-point threat. He came off the bench in 17 games a year ago.
 
Jones' principles remain the same for the program – rebounding, defense and sharing the ball. Last year, Yale led the Ivy League in field goal percentage defense (.412), assists (16.8 per game) and was second in rebounding margin (+4.3 rpg.). The Bulldogs also were the top scoring team in the league, averaging 80.9 points.
 
It will be a busy early season stretch for Yale, which plays its home opener Friday night before traveling to San Francisco next Monday.
 
HISTORY LESSONS
 
Yale and Stony Brook are meeting for only the second time. The first came at the 2001 Red Auerbach Classic at George Washington, an 82-62 Yale victory.
 
SCOUTING STONY BROOK
 
The Seawolves are coming off a 24-win season and an appearance in the postseason College Basketball Invitational where they fell at South Florida in the first round. Stony Brook was picked to finish third this season by the America East's coaches. The Seawolves are under new leadership, with former Kent State and Bradley head coach Geno Ford taking the reins this season. He led the Golden Flashes to a pair of MAC Regular Season titles in his time just outside of Cleveland, Ohio. Ford will have an experienced group back, with All-Conference members Elijah Olaniyi and Miles Latimer returning to the squad, as well as 2018-19 Sixth Man of the Year Andrew Garcia and Defensive Player of the Year Jeff Otchere.