BY RODERICK BOONE
Now that its disappointing regular season is in the books, Hofstra can turn its attention to the postseason. March Madness is officially upon us and it begins on Friday for the Pride when it takes on Towson in the first round of the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament in Richmond, Va.
Hofstra is the No. 8 seed and Towson is No. 9 in the 12-team tournament. The teams split the regular season series with the Tigers taking the first meeting in Baltimore, 60-51, on Jan. 30. Rocky Coleman had 17 points off the bench and guard C.C. Williams was a catalyst with 10 assists to go along with 10 points. The Pride avenged that win with a 81-67 win Feb. 20. Antoine Agudio dropped in 27 that day.
Of course, the Pride came close to having to play Drexel in the first round and the players are probably glad not to see Bruiser Flint and Company again. Drexel gave Agudio fits. The senior went 8-for-26 from the floor, had 19 total points, and turned the ball over 13 times in their two regular-season meetings. But the Pride's draw still isn't a good one.
If Hofstra gets past the Tigers of Baltimore, next up on Saturday would be a matchup with No. 1 seed VCU. The Rams beat the Pride 59-49 on Jan. 12 and clobbered Hofstra 82-65 Jan. 23 at Mack Sports Complex. With that in mind, some are already saying it's one and done for the Pride.
Are you among that contingent or are you of the belief Hofstra is going to put together a run in the CAA Tournament like Siena did in 2001-02 when it strung together a bevy of upsets on the way to claiming the MAAC Tournament crown with a losing record? Inquiring minds want to know.