Congratulations to former UConn guard and Bristol native Steve Pikiell.

Pikiell's Stony Brook team beat Vermont Wednesday night to clinch the program's first America East Conference regular season championship.

Pikiell turned the Seawolves into a winner after posting overall records of 4-24, 9-20, 7-23 and 16-14 in his first four years there.

"It's an exciting time," Pikiell said.

Stony Brook (21-7, 13-2) secured the No. 1 seed in the America East Tournament and earned a berth in the NIT.

Just about all the members of his UConn family including coach Jim Calhoun, Pat Sellers, Tom Moore, Dave Leitao, Howie Dickenman, Dee Rowe. Dom Perno and Karl Hobbs called Pikiell over the last couple of days.

"He was just proud and happy for me," Pikiell said of Calhoun. "He's the best. I'm lucky to have played for him."

Stony Brook will play its regular season opener next season at UConn.