2023-24 Hofstra men's basketball preview

Overview: Last year, Hofstra had arguably its best regular season as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association, winning all but two of its in-conference contests. However, in the semifinal round of the CAA tournament, the first-seeded Pride lost in overtime to UNC Wilmington, prematurely ending their push for the conference’s automatic bid to March Madness.

For the 2023-24 season, Hofstra returns starting guards Jaquan Carlos, Darlinstone Dubar and Tyler Thomas while losing standout guard Aaron Estrada, who transferred to Alabama. Head coach Speedy Claxton figures to run back an intriguing yet effective small-ball lineup, meaning that many of the Pride’s guards should get extensive playing time on the court. To fill out the five in this lineup, look for Canisius transfer Jacco Fritz or returning sophomore Christian Tomasco to play a high share of minutes.

Team ceiling: Hofstra uses last season’s upset loss in the CAA tournament as motivation, winning 13+ games in the conference and taking the program’s first conference title. With most of the team familiar with Claxton’s system, the four-guard, small-ball roster dominates in scoring once again. At the Pride’s first NCAA tournament since the 2000-01 season, they make headlines as an underdog and win their first March Madness contest ever.

Team floor: None of the team’s guards can replicate the production of Estrada, and the squad falls to above-average in the CAA. In the conference tournament, Hofstra falls around the quarterfinals.