#hofstra

Alabama's NCAA Tournament Hopes Rest on Taylor Bol Bowen's Return Alabama’s NCAA Tournament journey began with a strong showing against Hofstra, but the Crimson Tide’s path to a deep run in March Madness hinges on the return of a key player sidelined by injury. Labaron Philon dominated the game with 29 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in a 90-70 victory, but the team needed more than just Philon’s elite performance. The breakthrough came from a player described as the team’s X-Factor earlier in the season—Florida State transfer Taylor Bol Bowen. Bowen, who has battled multiple injuries throughout his junior season, appeared healthy for the first time in months during the game. Playing 21 minutes off the bench, he contributed 16 points, two rebounds, and three blocked shots while excelling defensively. His impact was especially notable on a night when Alabama struggled to make consistent three-pointers. Bowen’s ability to guard opponents and convert his shots from beyond the arc helped offset the team’s shooting woes, showcasing his value as a versatile defender and scorer. Coach Nate Oats praised Bowen’s performance, highlighting his resilience through a challenging season. “I’m super proud of Taylor,” Oats said. “He’s gone through a lot this year with all these injuries. At different points, he got frustrated. But man, he’s locked in for the last month.” Oats emphasized Bowen’s recent focus and intensity, noting that his defensive presence made a measurable difference. “We were 20 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor,” Oats added, underscoring the player’s critical role in the team’s success. Bowen’s performance against Hofstra echoed his impact during a pivotal non-conference win over St. John’s, where his contributions were instrumental in securing a road victory.#alabama #ncaa_tournament #hofstra #nate_oats #taylor_bol_bowen

Best March Madness Prop Bets Today The Round of 64 has seen a strong start for player prop bets, with a 2-1 record achieved by focusing on key matchups. The second day of action brings three standout prop bets, highlighting matchups where specific players are expected to perform. For those looking to place wagers, the latest edition of the Road to the Final Four provides insights into favorite sides and totals, while the best betting sites for these plays are also listed. The Miami (Ohio) vs. Tennessee matchup offers a compelling prop bet centered on rebounding. The Miami RedHawks, ranked 171st in rebounding percentage, have struggled to secure rebounds, grabbing only 50.1% of available opportunities against weaker opponents. In contrast, Tennessee ranks second in the nation in rebounding, with a 58.8% rebounding rate. The Volunteers’ top rebounder, Nate Ament, is positioned to dominate the glass, making this a key factor in the game’s outcome. Another top prop bet features Hofstra vs. Alabama, where the Crimson Tide’s three-point shooting prowess is expected to shine. Alabama leads the nation in three-point attempts and should maintain that approach against Hofstra, whose defensive weakness lies in perimeter defense. Hofstra’s ability to limit two-point field goals—ranking third in opponent two-point percentage, keeping teams to 44.2% from inside the arc—could leave Aiden Sherrell of Alabama with minimal defensive responsibilities. This setup allows Alabama’s guards to focus on scoring, making the game a potential high-scoring affair. The Utah State vs. Villanova matchup centers on Tyler Perkins, who has shown strong form in recent games. Perkins scored 18+ points in two of his last three contests, and his performance could be elevated against a Utah State team ranked 178th in opponent three-point field goal percentage.#alabama #miami_ohio #tennessee #hofstra #nate_ament

Hofstra's Cruz Davis savors March Madness return as one of many notable players from one-bid leagues Cruz Davis, a Hofstra guard, is preparing to make his long-awaited return to March Madness, a tournament he previously experienced three years ago after two transfers. The opportunity to compete on a larger stage has been a goal for the player, who is eager to showcase his skills in a more prominent role. His journey to this moment has been marked by significant changes, including moving between programs, but Davis remains focused on the chance to contribute to his team’s success in the NCAA tournament. The Hofstra guard’s previous exposure to March Madness was brief and came during a different chapter of his college basketball career. At the time, he was part of a team that made a deep run in the tournament, but the experience was overshadowed by the challenges of adapting to a new environment. Now, with Hofstra positioned as a one-bid league representative, Davis sees this as a chance to finally step into the spotlight. The tournament, which features teams from leagues that typically qualify for only one bid, has become a platform for underdog stories and standout performers. Davis, who has been a key player for Hofstra this season, is among those hoping to make a name for himself on the national stage. His return to March Madness is not just a personal milestone but also a testament to his resilience and determination to succeed in a competitive environment. The photo caption mentions Davis dribbling down the court during an NCAA game against Houston in November 2024, highlighting his role as a dynamic player. While the specific details of his performance in that game are not provided, the image serves as a reminder of his potential to impact games at the highest level.#ncaa_tournament #hofstra #march_madness #cruz_davis #one_bid_league

March Madness: Hofstra's Cruz Davis is quite accustomed to having people count on him Cruz Davis is leading Hofstra toward the NCAA Tournament this week, carrying the team’s hopes as its top scorer with an average of 20.2 points per game. Named the Coastal Athletic Association Player of the Year, Davis is preparing to face Alabama in the first round on Friday. His teammates are counting on him to carry Hofstra through the tournament, a role he has embraced for years. For Davis, this is nothing new. The responsibility of being a reliable figure in his life has been a constant, though it extends far beyond basketball. His younger brother, Cayl, who was diagnosed with autism at age 3 and experiences occasional seizures, has been a central part of his life since childhood. Davis has dedicated himself to ensuring Cayl’s well-being, a commitment that has shaped his priorities and actions. Cayl’s care is a shared effort within the family. Their father, Vincent, left his job as a delivery truck driver about a decade ago to focus on caregiving at home in Plano, Texas. Their mother, Cassandra, works as a nurse but remains deeply involved in Cayl’s needs. Despite this support, Davis’s bond with Cayl is unique. The distance between them—often spanning thousands of miles—has not diminished their connection. Davis has made sacrifices to stay close to Cayl. When they attended the same elementary and middle schools, he would check in on him in person, even paying someone out of his own lunch money to do so during the year they were separated. After leaving home for prep school in West Virginia, he called Cayl three times a day, a habit that continued through his college years at Iona, St. John’s, and Hofstra. Even now, he spends time watching Cayl’s favorite show, The Backyardigans, on his tablet during visits.#hofstra #cruz_davis #cayl #vincent #cassandra

Black Coaches to Watch in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Tournament Rod Strickland, a former NBA player and New York City basketball icon, is leading Long Island University to its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2012. Strickland, who took over as head coach in 2022, emphasized his goal of elevating the program’s culture and competitiveness. “Raise the bar, change the environment and help the culture develop and grow,” he said. “I’m not in a rush. Our time is coming. This is just the beginning.” His efforts have paid off, as the LIU Sharks secured a 24-10 record, finishing first in the Northeast Conference (NEC) regular season. Strickland’s journey to coaching included roles as a director of basketball operations at Memphis and Kentucky, and an assistant at South Florida. Despite early struggles, he has now led LIU to back-to-back winning seasons and earned NEC Coach of the Year honors. Speedy Claxton, another former NBA player and Hofstra alum, is guiding his alma mater to its first NCAA tournament in 23 years. Claxton, who played for Hofstra in the 2000 NCAA tournament, took over as head coach in 2021 and has led the program to four seasons with at least 20 wins. “I know the incredible history of Hofstra’s men’s basketball program,” he said. “I have lived it. I have experienced it. I am ready to lead it.” Hofstra’s 24-10 record and third-place finish in the Colonial Athletic Conference (CAA) have secured an automatic bid to the tournament. Claxton’s coaching career includes stints as an assistant at Hofstra and a championship run with the San Antonio Spurs as a player. Kenny Blakeney, the head coach at Howard University, is making his third NCAA tournament appearance with the school.#howard_university #hofstra #long_island_university #rod_strickland #kenny_blakeney

Speedy Claxton is the Hofstra ‘Guardfather’ made for March Madness Forty-seven years ago, Claxton was born in Hempstead, Long Island, just a few fast breaks from Hofstra’s campus. His journey to becoming a key figure in the school’s basketball legacy began decades ago. In the early 1990s, he enrolled at Hofstra as a point guard from Christ the King High in Queens. Over four years, he emerged as the greatest player in school history, laying the foundation for Hofstra’s future success. His impact extended beyond the court. In 1997, he was selected as the 20th player in the first round of the NBA draft, marking a significant milestone for Hofstra. Years later, he returned to the program as an assistant coach under Joe Mihalich, bringing his experience and leadership to the team. His role as a mentor helped shape Hofstra’s basketball culture, blending his playing days with his coaching expertise. The nickname “Guardfather” reflects his enduring influence on the program. His story is intertwined with Hofstra’s rise in college basketball, particularly during March Madness. As a player and coach, Claxton’s contributions have positioned Hofstra to compete at the highest level, making him a central figure in the school’s basketball narrative. His legacy continues to inspire the program’s pursuit of success in the NCAA tournament.#hofstra #speedy_claxton #march_madness #joe_mihalich #christ_the_king_high

March Madness: Hofstra's Speedy Claxton showed coaching instincts as a player Hofstra head coach Speedy Claxton made a striking statement about his legacy during the NCAA Tournament by arriving at the practice session in a custom-designed sweatshirt emblazoned with the words “The Guardfather.” The hoodie, a one-of-a-kind creation, underscored his self-proclaimed role as the architect of Hofstra’s storied guard tradition. Claxton, who last played for the Pride in 2000, returned to the Hempstead campus to lead the team into the tournament, a move that has redefined his career. Hofstra has long been recognized for producing elite guards, a legacy Claxton claims he helped establish. He listed names like Justin Wright-Foreman, Desure Buie, and Aaron Estrada, alongside current stars Cruz Davis and Preston Edmead, as part of the program’s tradition. “We’ve raised good guards,” he said, adding, “I’m the one who kind of started that. So I’m The Guardfather.” The nickname, which he now embraces, reflects his pride in the program’s history and his role in shaping it. Claxton’s journey from player to coach has been marked by both surprise and determination. After a decade in the NBA, including a championship with the San Antonio Spurs, his return to Hofstra in 2021 as head coach was unexpected. Yet, his coaching career has flourished, with a .629 winning percentage over five seasons—ranked highest among Hofstra coaches with multiple seasons in charge. His success has positioned him to surpass Tom Pecora as the program’s all-time winningest coach in the coming years. The transition from player to coach was not without challenges. Claxton admitted to struggling initially with the shift in lifestyle, from the intensity of competition to the demands of administrative duties.#san_antonio_spurs #hofstra #speedy_claxton #tom_pecora #don_nelson

Hofstra Ends 25-Year NCAA Tournament Drought with CAA Title Win Hofstra secured its first NCAA tournament berth in 25 years by defeating Monmouth 75-69 in the Coastal Athletic Association tournament championship on Tuesday night. The victory marked the program’s fifth NCAA tournament appearance and the first under head coach Speedy Claxton, who has led the team since the 2021-22 season. Hofstra’s last tournament run ended in 2001, when Jay Wright was the head coach. Freshman Preston Edmead was instrumental in the win, scoring a season-high 26 points. His performance came after his previous high of 24 points against Monmouth in January. Edmead’s 3-pointer in the second half gave Hofstra a 64-58 lead with 3:26 remaining, but Monmouth fought back, cutting the deficit to 66-65 on a 3-pointer by Justin Ray with 1:18 left. Hofstra regained control with a jumper by German Plotnikov, extending the lead to 69-65. Edmead added two free throws to make it 71-65, and despite Kavion McClain’s four-point play that narrowed the gap to 71-69, Hofstra sealed the win with four free throws in the final seconds. Cruz Davis and Plotnikov each contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively, while Silas Sunday grabbed 12 rebounds. For Monmouth, McClain scored 19 points, and Jason Rivera-Torres and Stefanos Spartalis each added 16. Spartalis also recorded 11 rebounds. The Hawks, seeded fourth, had led much of the game, including an 18-13 advantage with 10:39 left in the first half. Hofstra took its first lead at 24-23 when Davis hit a 3-pointer, and the Pride outscored Monmouth 17-12 in the second half to take a 35-32 halftime lead. Before the loss, Monmouth had gone 8-2 in February and March and was on a five-game winning streak.#hofstra #speedy_claxton #monmouth #preston_edmead #coastal_academic_association

Speedy Claxton, Hofstra not backing down from chance to make March Madness noise: ‘Force to be reckoned with’ Hofstra head coach Speedy Claxton is approaching March Madness with confidence, positioning his team as a contender capable of making a significant impact. The former NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs emphasized that Hofstra is not merely seeking to participate but to compete at the highest level. “We’re not going there just to be happy we’re there … we’re trying to win,” Claxton said, reflecting his team’s determination. The 24-10 Long Island squad has emerged as a formidable force, having challenged established programs in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and secured a hard-fought CAA championship. Their victories over Pittsburgh and Syracuse, including a 70-69 upset of the Syracuse Orange, underscore their growing reputation. Claxton described Hofstra as a “force to be reckoned with,” a label that aligns with their recent success and the expectations now placed on them. Hofstra’s journey to this moment has been long and arduous, marked by a 25-year drought since their last March Madness appearance. The program faced numerous challenges, including a global pandemic that canceled the 2020 tournament before Hofstra could qualify. Despite setbacks, the team persevered, culminating in a historic 88-78 upset over UCLA in 2020. However, the pandemic disrupted their path to the NCAA Tournament, leaving them without the chance to experience the spotlight. Claxton, who played for Hofstra under coach Jay Wright in 2000, has been instrumental in rebuilding the program since taking over in 2021. His mentorship under former coach Joe Mihalich provided a foundation for success, and the team has since made strides, including an overtime victory over Rutgers in the 2023 NIT.#atlantic_coast_conference #pittsburgh #speedy_claxton #hofstra #caa_championship