Stony Brook University Buzzing With Excitement Over NCAA Tournament-Bound Seawolves
STONY BROOK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Suffolk County is throwing a big sendoff Tuesday afternoon for the NCAA Tournament-bound Stony Brook basketball team.
The players were attending their last team meeting and pep rally inside Island Federal Credit Union Arena before leaving Tuesday for Des Moines, Iowa, CBS2's Magdalena Doris reported.
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Some students at the school are betting on the home team.
"One of my brackets (is) looking like Stony's going to win it all," one student said.
The gear at the school store now proudly features the NCAA March Madness logo, and the fans have never been more pumped.
"I'm pretty sure I've seen the arena as packed as it's probably ever been, so everyone's excited," said student Hope Julian.
The Seawolves are taking that energy with them as they head to the Big Dance for the first time in school history.
Senior forward Rayshaun McGrew is ready, and his bags are packed with Hershey's Drops.
"These are my favorite," he said. "So anybody who ever wants to send me a good gift, Hershey's Drops are my favorite.
"I'm like Marshawn Lynch with his Skittles. It's me and my Hershey Drops."
Stony Brook is aiming to upset fourth-seeded Kentucky on Thursday night. The Wildcats have a long track record of success.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience playing the biggest-name school in college basketball, and we're up to the challenge," said senior forward Jameel Warney.
The plan: Play hard, play smart, and "we're just ready to go out here and try to shock the world," McGrew said.
No matter what happens Thursday, the Seawolves have already broken a school record by earning a ticket to the Big Dance.
