2006 Hofstra Pride Basketball Preview

2006 Hofstra Pride Basketball Predictions

In the post-season last year, the Hofstra Pride (26- 7 overall and 14- 4 Colonial Conference) made it to the quarterfinals of the NIT, where they lost to Old Dominion 61- 51. This season looks even brighter for the team, with a strong backcourt and a young but talented frontcourt.

Three of the best guards in the nation are on this team—Loren Stokes (17.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.8 APG), Antoine Agudio (17.2 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.7 APG) and Carlos Rivera (11.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.5 APG). Stokes can slash and drive to the basket, Agudio is an amazingly accurate shooter and Rivera is an assist expert.

With the loss of senior forwards Aurimas Kieza (11.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.1 BPG) and Adrian Ufer (9.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.3 BPG), the Pride will look to sophomore Chris Gadley (1.5 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 0.3 APG) and perhaps two freshmen—Mantas Leonavicius and Greg Washington. The front is a tough hole to fill.

Coach Tom Pecora (81- 72 in 5 years) admits that the frontcourt will be a challenge and acknowledges that the best way to deal with it is to throw various players headlong into the battle. Pecora has drafted some fine freshmen to help in the paint. Pecora himself was highly recruited by other schools in the off-season but decided to sign a new five-year deal with Hofstra.

Last year, the Pride were passed over by the NCAA committee. This year, Hofstra will work to make sure that there’s no doubt that they belong at the NCAA tourney and not the NIT. Along with a solid foundation, there’s some fine depth on this club.

If you want more info on the 2006 Hofstra Pride College basketball team check out the NCAA's official basketball team page of the program or check view other mid major previews from MadduxSports.com of universities like the Houston Cougars and Memphis Tigers.