Spoiler alert, upper left corner! (Also, enjoy this slice of American life in 1996-97)
Well, that’s about as good as a CAA Tournament run could have started. The Flying Dutchmen shattered multiple records Sunday afternoon, when they cruised past William & Mary 94-46 in the first quarterfinal game. The Dutchmen will continue pursuing the CAA title tonight, when they are slated to face fourth-seeded UNC Wilmington. Here’s a look back at the win over the Tribe and a look ahead to the Seahawks.
THE MOST RECENT GAME SUMMARIZED IN ONE PARAGRAPH
Aaron Estrada (22 points, 10 rebounds) posted a double-double in just 32 minutes for the Dutchmen, who started out fast and never let up, even with the third-stringers on the floor, in the most dominant win in the school’s Division I history as well as the most dominant win in CAA Tournament history. Four different players scored as the Dutchmen opened the game on an 18-2 run in which they collected points on eight of their first 10 possessions. The lead was extended to 20 points with 9:19 left in the first half and to 30 points (at 36-6!) with 6:09 left before the Dutchmen ended the half with a 51-14 lead — the largest halftime lead ever in a CAA Tournament game. Estrada lengthened the lead to 40 points by opening the second half with a 3-pointer for the Dutchmen, who maintained a lead of at least 33 points the rest of the way and led by as many as 51 over the final six minutes. Tyler Thomas also had 22 points while Jaquan Carlos snapped his slump by scoring 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including 3-of-6 from 3-point land, while adding a team-high four assists. Darlinstone Dubar scored nine points, including six in the game-opening run. Warren Williams had nine rebounds while Bryce Washington scored nine points and pulled down six rebounds off the bench. Walk-on Aidan Best scored six points in the final two minutes, including a four-point play (a four-point play!).
3 STARS OF THE GAME (vs. William & Mary, 3/5)
3: Aaron Estrada
2: Tyler Thomas
1: Jaquan Carlos
SEASON STANDINGS
Aaron Estrada 57
Tyler Thomas 48
Darlinstone Dubar 30
Jaquan Carlos 25
Warren Williams 14
Nelson Boachie-Yiadom 7
Amar’e Marshall 6
German Plotnikov 3
Bryce Washington 1
Griffin Barrouk 1
WAS THIS A UNICORN SCORE?
Yes! In fact, this may have been the second-most unicorn score we’ve ever tracked since the start of the 2018-19 season. The only winning score in Hofstra history to finish within three points of 94-46 was the Dutchmen’s 91-46 win over Delaware on Dec. 18, 2018. That was the most lopsided Division I-era win in school history before Sunday afternoon.
This is the Flying Dutchmen’s 12th unicorn score victory of the season. The Dutchmen recorded 11 unicorn score victories last season after recording no unicorn scores in 2020-21, 13 unicorn scores in 2019-20 and 10 unicorn scores in 2018-19. The term unicorn score was coined by Mets superfan, historian and blogger Greg Prince to describe a score by which the Mets had never previously won. You may also know it as a “Scorigami,” a term popularized in the NFL.
11/11/22: 83-78 over Iona
11/14/22: 85-80 over George Washington
11/17/22: 85-76 over San Jose State
12/22/22: 96-48 over Old Westbury
1/11/23: 77-57 over Monmouth
1/26/23: 82-65 over Not Twitter Guy
1/28/23: 85-81 over Charleston
2/2/23: 76-72 over Towson
2/8/23: 72-53 over Northeastern
2/16/23: 73-43 over Hampton
2/25/23: 84-52 over Northeastern
3/5/23: 94-46 over William & Mary
WHO HAD THE KEITH HERNANDEZ?
Tyler Thomas wasted little time Sunday afternoon, when his second-chance 3-pointer gave the Dutchmen the lead for good at 3-0 with 19:32 left in the first half. That’s the fourth Keith Hernandez the Dutchmen have recorded in the first minute of a game and the third time they’ve done so in the last five games.
Jaquan Carlos tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Princeton, 11/7/22 (1:11 left 2H)
Tyler Thomas tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Iona, 11/11/22 (:35.2 left 2H)
Darlinstone Dubar go-ahead layup vs. George Washington, 11/14/22 (5:09 left 2H)
German Plotnikov go-ahead 3-pointer vs. San Jose State. 11/17/22 (6:32 left 2H)
Tyler Thomas tie-breaking jumper vs. UNC Greensboro, 11/26/22 (14:56 left 1H)
Aaron Estrada go-ahead jumper vs. Quinnipiac, 11/27/22 (17:28 left 1H)
Tyler Thomas go-ahead 3-pointer vs. Old Westbury, 12/22/22 (19:02 left 1H)
Tyler Thomas tie-breaking jumper vs. Delaware, 12/29/22 (19:42 left 1H)
Aaron Estrada tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Hampton, 1/5/23 (19:27 left 1H)
Aaron Estrada tie-breaking jumper vs. William & Mary, 1/7/23 (8:37 left 1H)
German Plotnikov tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Monmouth, 1/11/23 (7:50 left 1H)
Warren Williams tie-breaking nostalgic 3-pointer vs. Delaware 1/14/23 (14:28 left 1H)
Aaron Estrada tie-breaking jumper vs. UNC Wilmington, 1/19/23 (19:02 left 2H)
Tyler Thomas tie-breaking jumper vs. Not Twitter Guy, 1/26/23 (14:03 left 2H)
Darlinstone Dubar tie-breaking jumper vs. Charleston, 1/28/23 (15:24 left 2H)
Tyler Thomas tie-breaking jumper vs. Towson, 2/2/23 (:58.6 left 2H)
Tyler Thomas tie-breaking jumper vs. Stony Brook, 2/4/23 (6:54 left 1H)
Warren Williams tie-breaking free throw vs. Northeastern, 2/8/23 (6:32 left 1H)
Darlinstone Dubar tie-breaking layup vs. Monmouth, 2/11/23 (18:14 left 1H)
Darlinstone Dubar tie-breaking layup vs. Drexel, 2/13/23 (19:52 left 1H)
Darlinstone Dubar tie-breaking layup vs. Hampton, 2/16/23 (19:38 left 1H)
Tyler Thomas tie-breaking free throw vs. Stony Brook, 2/18/23 (4:06 left 2H)
Warren Williams go-ahead layup vs. Northeastern, 2/25/23 (6:14 left 1H)
Tyler Thomas tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. William & Mary, 3/5/23 (19:32 left 1H)
Tyler Thomas 9
Darlinstone Dubar 5
Aaron Estrada 4
Warren Williams 3
German Plotnikov 2
Jaquan Carlos 1
THE FLYING DUTCHMEN AFTER THIRTY-TWO GAMES
With Sunday’s win, the Dutchmen improved to 24-8. This ties the 2022-23 team for the third-best record in school history through 32 games. They keep moving on up! This is the third time the Dutchmen have been 24-8 through 32 games, all of which have happened since 2015-16. All seven teams to open 22-10 or better either made the NCAA Tournament or NIT or qualified for the NCAA before, well, you know. Here is how some notable Hofstra teams have fared through 32 games:
NCAA DIVISION I TOURNAMENT TEAMS
2019-20 (IT COUNTS TO US): 24-8 (most recent 24-8 start, beat Drexel in the CAA quarterfinals)
The 1975-76 team, Hofstra’s first to reach the NCAA Tournament, completed its season in 30 games (18-12), as did the 1976-77 team (23-7). The 1999-2000 NCAA Tournament team completed its season in 31 games (24-7), as did the 2000-01 team (26-5).
All four Hofstra teams to reach the NCAA Tournament at the Division II level completed their seasons in 30 games or fewer. The 1958-59 team finished 20-7 while the 1961-62 team ended up 24-4, the 1962-63 team finished 23-7 and the 1963-64 team went 23-6.
NIT TEAMS
1998-99: 22-10 (season ended with a loss to Rutgers in the first round of the NIT)
2005-06: 26-6 (beat Saint Joseph’s, 77-75, in the second round of the NIT)
2006-07: 22-10 (season ended with a loss to DePaul in the first round of the NIT)
2015-16: 24-8 (beat William & Mary in the CAA semifinals, final win of season)
2018-19: 26-6 (most recent 26-6 start, beat James Madison in the CAA quarterfinals)
The 2004-05 NIT team completed its season at 21-9.
Some other notable 32-game records — in fact, all of them!
2021-22: 21-11 (season ended with a loss to Charleston in the CAA quarterfinals)
2016-17: 15-17 (season ended with loss to Delaware in CAA first round)
2014-15: 20-12 (beat James Madison in CAA quarterfinals, final win of season)
2013-14: 10-22 (beat UNC Wilmington in CAA first round, final win of season)
2012-13: 7-25 (season ended with loss to Delaware in CAA quarterfinals, worst 32-game record in school history)
2011-12: 10-22 (season ended with loss to Georgia State in CAA first round)
2010-11: 21-11 (lost to Old Dominion in CAA semifinals, final win of season)
2009-10: 19-13 (beat Georgia State in CAA first round, final win of season)
2008-09: 21-11 (season ended with loss to Old Dominion in CAA quarterfinals)
2001-02: 12-20 (season ended with loss to VCU in CAA semifinals)
Hofstra has never been (deep breath) 32-0, 31-1, 30-2, 29-3, 28-4, 27-5, 25-7, 23-9, 18-14, 17-15, 16-16, 14-18, 13-19, 11-21, 9-23, 8-24, 6-26, 5-27, 4-28, 3-29, 2-30, 1-31 or 0-32 through 32 games.
Seventy-one seasons were completed in fewer than 32 games:
1936-37 (7-10)
1937-38 (10-4)
1938-39 (10-8)
1939-40 (12-9)
1940-41 (13-7)
1941-42 (15-6)
1942-43 (15-6)
1943-44 (7-12)
1944-45 (8-13)
1945-46 (12-7)
1946-47 (18-6)
1947-48 (13-6)
1948-49 (18-8)
1949-50 (17-9)
1950-51 (18-11)
1951-52 (26-3)
1952-53 (20-7)
1953-54 (15-9)
1954-55 (19-7)
1955-56 (22-4)
1956-57 (11-15)
1957-58 (15-8)
1958-59 (20-7)
1959-60 (23-1)
1960-61 (21-4)
1961-62 (24-4)
1962-63 (23-7)
1963-64 (23-6)
1964-65 (11-14)
1965-66 (16-10)
1966-67 (12-13)
1967-68 (13-12)
1968-69 (12-13)
1969-70 (13-13)
1970-71 (18-8)
1971-72 (11-14)
1972-73 (8-16)
1973-74 (8-16)
1974-75 (11-13)
1975-76 (18-12)
1976-77 (23-7)
1977-78 (8-19)
1978-79 (8-19)
1979-80 (14-14)
1980-81 (12-15)
1981-82 (12-16)
1982-83 (18-9)
1983-84 (14-14)
1984-85 (14-15)
1985-86 (17-13)
1986-87 (10-18)
1987-88 (6-21)
1988-89 (14-15)
1989-90 (13-15)
1990-91 (14-14)
1991-92 (20-9)
1992-93 (9-18)
1993-94 (9-20)
1994-95 (10-18)
1995-96 (9-18)
1996-97 (12-15)
1997-98 (19-12)
1998-99 (22-9)
1999-2000 (24-7)
2000-01 (26-5)
2002-03 (8-21)
2003-04 (14-15)
2004-05 (21-9)
2007-08 (12-18)
2017-18 (19-12)
2020-21 (13-10)
(Well) more than half the previous Hofstra seasons were completed by this point. I mean, duh.
Full records not available for the following seasons: 1936-37, 1941-42, 1942-43, 1945-46, 1948-49, 1949-50, 1951-52.
This feature is inspired by Greg Prince, who measures how the current Mets compare, record-wise, to previous teams through the same point in the season.
NUMBER TEN THROUGH SIXTY-FOUR
With Sunday’s win, Speedy Claxton improved to 45-19 (.703) as head coach. That’s the second-best known winning percentage for a Hofstra coach through his first 64 games at the helm. These last 11 games mark the highest Claxton has been in the all-time game-to-game standings since he became head coach last season.
Paul Lynner 48-16 (.750, 64th game was the fifth game of his third season in 1963-64)
SPEEDY CLAXTON 45-19 (.703, 64th game was the 32nd game of his second season in 2022-23)
Butch van Breda Kolff I 41-23 (.641, 64th game was the 12th game of his third season in 1957-58)
Dick Berg 31-33 (.484, 64th game was the ninth game of his third season in 1982-83)
Mo Cassara 31-33 (.484, 64th game was the 31st game of his second season in 2011-12)
Butch van Breda Kolff II 29-35 (.453, 64th game was the seventh game of his third season in 1990-91)
Joe Mihalich 29-35 (.453, 64th game was the 31st game of his second season in 2014-15)
Jay Wright 22-42 (.344, 64th game was the ninth game of his third season in 1996-97)
Roger Gaeckler 22-42 (.344, 64th game was the 16th game of his third season in 1974-75)
Tom Pecora 21-43 (.328, 64th game was the third game of his third season in 2003-04)
Mo Cassara climbs back into a tie with Dick Berg for fourth place while Butch van Breda Kolff and Joe Mihalich remain tied for sixth place. Jay Wright falls into a tie for eighth place with Roger Gaeckler after he loses for the SIXTH STRAIGHT TIME with a freshman point guard named Speedy Claxton, I dunno, maybe this isn't going to work out for anyone involved. And Tom Pecora falls into sole possession of last place. Probably won’t work out for him, either.
The records are incomplete for Jack McDonald’s first stint from 1936 through 1943 as well as the tenures of Jack Smith (1943-46) and Frank Reilly (1947-55).
Three coaches had one-season tenures lasting at Hofstra. McDonald went 18-6 in the lone season of his second stint in 1946-47 while Joe Harrington went 14-14 in 1979-80 and Mike Farrelly went 13-10 in 2020-21.
STREAKING (part one)
The Dutchmen’s 12-game winning streak is the fourth-longest active streak in Division I. Some familiar names surrounding the Dutchmen on this list!
Oral Roberts 15
Toledo 15
Vermont 13
HOFSTRA 12
Houston 11
Iona 11
STREAKING (part two)
The Dutchmen’s 12-game winning streak is sixth winning streak of at least 12 games in school history and the longest since the 2018-19 team won 16 straight.
WIRE-TO-WIRE WINS
The Dutchmen never trailed Sunday. It was their ninth wire-to-wire win of the season, all of which have happened in CAA play.
12/29/22: 87-73 over Delaware
1/5/23: 67-51 over Hampton
1/14/23: 86-62 over Delaware
1/19/23: 70-46 over UNC Wilmington
2/4/23: 79-58 over Stony Brook
2/11/23: 86-57 over Monmouth
2/13/23: 66-52 over Drexel
2/16/23: 73-43 over Hampton
3/5/23: 94-46 over William & Mary
The nine wire-to-wire seasons are either the most or tied for the most for the Dutchmen in a season since at least the 2005-06 season, which is as far back as play-by-play logs go at the Hofstra site. I say either the most or tied for the most because there’s no play-by-play available from a 74-59 win over Dartmouth at Madison Square Garden in which the Dutchmen raced out to a 15-2 lead. So my guess is that was a ninth wire-to-wire win. Maybe the Dutchmen should just go have two more wire-to-wire wins this season to remove any doubt!
A RECORD-SETTING WIN (part one)
Where to start with all the records the Dutchmen set Sunday afternoon? The 48-point margin of victory was by far the largest in CAA Tournament history, shattering the previous standard of 36 points, set by Monmouth way back on Friday in a 100-64 win over Hampton. That win by Monmouth broke the previous standard of 35 points, set by Georgia State in an 85-50 win over the Dutchmen on Mar. 2, 2012. So Monmouth broke a record that stood for 92 games and 4,017 days and then only had four games and fewer than 48 hours as the record-holder!
The win was also the most lopsided in a CAA league game since VCU routed Towson, 110-53, on Jan. 27, 2010 (also the night Charles Jenkins converted an eight-point play in a 93-54 win over UNC Wilmington).
A RECORD-SETTING WIN (part two)
The 48-point margin of victory was also the largest by the Dutchmen over a Division I opponent in the Division I era, breaking the previous standard of 45 points set in a 91-46 win over Delaware on Dec. 28, 2018. It is just the fourth time the Dutchmen have beaten a Division I foe by at least 40 points. All four victories have happened in the last nine seasons.
48 (94-46 over William & Mary, 3/5/23)
45 (91-46 over Delaware, 12/28/18)
41 (105-64 over Coppin State, 12/10/14)
41 (102-61 over Elon, 2/7/19)
The 48-point margin of victory is tied for the 12th-largest margin of victory in program history with two other 48-point wins, including a 96-48 victory over Division III Old Westbury on Dec. 22.
65 (75-10 over USMMA, 1955-56)
59 (73-14 over Queens, 1937-38)
55 (77-22 over Bloomfield, 1940-41)
54 (95-41 over Hillyer, 1951-52)
54 (80-26 over Webb, 1951-52)
53 (107-54 over Rosemont, 12/22/18)
53 (85-32 over Mitchel Field, 1941-42)
53 (88-35 over Queens, 1940-41)
51 (110-59 over USMMA, 1963-64)
51 (102-51 over John Jay, 12/12/21)
49 (102-53 over Southampton, 1978-79)
48 (69-21 over Columbia Pharmacy, 1939-40)
48 (96-48 over Old Westbury, 12/22/22)
48 (94-46 over William & Mary, 3/5/23)
47 (115-68 over Delaware, 1954-55)
46 (86-40 over New Bedford, 1946-47)
45 (91-46 over Delaware, 12/28/18)
SELECT COMPANY
The Dutchmen became the 14th Division I team this season to beat a Division I foe by at least 48 points and the first since then-no. 1 Alabama beat Georgia 108-59 on Feb. 18. Therefore, the Dutchmen should be no. 1 now, right?
A FINE FIRST HALF
The Dutchmen led 51-14 at the half Sunday. That’s the biggest halftime lead in CAA Tournament history, shattering the previous standard of 25 points set by Towson when the Tigers raced out to a 39-14 lead over Drexel on Mar. 6, 2009.
It was also the Dutchmen’s biggest halftime lead against a Division I foe and their second-biggest halftime lead against anyone since at least the 2002-03 season, which is as far back as my boxscores go at home. The Dutchmen have held four halftime leads of at least 30 points since the 2002-03 season — all since December 2018.
40 (62-22) Rosemont, 12/22/18***
37 (51-14) William & Mary, 3/5/23
34 (59-25) Old Westbury, 12/22/22***
30 (48-18) Delaware, 12/28/18
***non-Division I foes
TWENTY-SOMETHING
The Dutchmen took their first 20-point lead at 27-6 with 9:19 left in the first half, which was the fastest they’ve opened up a 20-point lead against a Division I opponent since Feb. 7, 2019, when they led by 20 points for the first time with 13:35 left in the first half of a 102-61 win over Elon.
THIRTY-SOMETHING
The Dutchmen took their first 30-point lead at 36-6 with 6:09 left in the first half, which was the fastest they’ve opened up a 30-point lead against a Division I opponent since…Feb. 7, 2019, when they led by 30 points for the first time with 6:48 left in the first half of a 102-61 win over Elon.
FORTY-SOMETHING
The Dutchmen took their first 40-point lead at 54-14 with 19:28 left in the game. Since the 37-point lead was their biggest halftime lead over a Division I foe since at least the 2002-03 season, let’s just assume that’s the fastest the Dutchmen have taken a 40-point lead against a Division I foe in the CAA era.
FIFTY-SOMETHING
The Dutchmen took their first 50-point lead at 86-35 with 5:50 left in the second half. I'm pretty sure that's the first 50-point lead I can ever remember against a Division I foe!
BLISTERING FROM THE FIELD
The Dutchmen shot 59.4 percent (38-of-64) from the field Sunday, including 61.9 percent (13-of-21) from 3-point land. The shooting percentage was the best for a team in a CAA Tournament game since George Mason shot 63.4 percent (26-of-41) in a 69-67 LOSS to Northeastern on Mar. 10, 2013, while the 3-point shooting percentage was the best for a team in a CAA Tournament game since VCU shot 63.6 percent (7-of-11) in a 63-56 win over Drexel on Mar. 4, 2007.
In addition, the 59.4 shooting percentage was the best for the Dutchmen since they shot 62.5 percent (35-of-56) against Detroit Mercy on Nov. 27, 2021, while the 61.9 percent 3-point shooting percentage was their best since they shot 64.7 percent (11-of-17) in a 96-76 win over UNC Wilmington on Feb. 1, 2018.
THE DEFENSE DIDN’T REST
The Dutchmen improved to 12-0 this season when allowing fewer than 60 points and have won 44 straight games when surrendering fewer than 60 points. The Dutchmen last lost when giving up fewer than 60 points on Feb. 10, 2014, when they fell to James Madison, 59-53. In addition, the Dutchmen have won their last 13 games in which they’ve allowed fewer than 50 points dating back to a 48-47 loss to William & Mary on Jan. 2, 2010. That stat might stand for a while!
TWO TWENTY-SOMETHINGS
Aaron Estrada and Tyler Thomas each scored 22 points Sunday. It was the first time two players have scored at least 20 points for the Dutchmen since Feb. 2, when Estrada had 27 points and Thomas finished with 20 points in a 76-72 win over Towson. Per research by Hofstra SID Stephen Gorchov and WRHU alums Kevin Dexter and Rob Joyce, the Dutchmen are now 29-12 since the start of the 2013-14 season (Joe Mihalich’s first season) when at least two players score 20 points. The Dutchmen are 6-0 this season when two players score at least 20 points.
Tyler Thomas (26 points)/Darlinstone Dubar (22 points) vs. Iona 11/11/22 (83-78 win)
Aaron Estrada (31 points)/Tyler Thomas (20 points) vs. Delaware 12/29/22 (87-73 win)
Aaron Estrada (20 points)/Tyler Thomas (20 points) vs. William & Mary 1/7/23 (75-62 win)
Aaron Estrada (40 points)/Tyler Thomas (23 points) vs. Not Twitter Guy 1/26/23 (82-65 win)
Aaron Estrada (27 points)/Tyler Thomas (20 points) vs. Towson 2/2/23 (76-72 win)
Aaron Estrada (22 points)/Tyler Thomas (22 points) vs. William & Mary 3/5/23 (94-46 win)
TRIPLE THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE FUN
Aaron Estrada recorded a double-double Sunday afternoon, when he had 22 points and 10 rebounds. The double-double was the first this season for Estrada and his third since debuting for Hofstra last season.
A TOURNAMENT DOUBLE-DOUBLE
In addition, Aaron Estrada’s double-double was the first by a Hofstra player in the CAA Tournament since Isaac Kante had 14 points and 13 rebounds in an 83-75 win over Delaware on Mar. 7, 2021.
ESTRADA’S DOUBLE-DIGIT STREAK
Aaron Estrada scored 22 points Sunday afternoon to extend his streak of double-digit scoring efforts to 21 games. Estrada, who has missed four games during his current streak, has scored in double figures in 27 of 28 games this season and in 54 of 60 games since debuting for Hofstra last season. He scored in double figures in 13 of the 37 games in which he played for Saint Peter’s and Oregon from 2019 through 2021.
ESTRADA FINDS HIS FORM
Aaron Estrada snapped his drought from beyond the arc Sunday afternoon, when he was 3-of-4 from 3-point land. The 3-pointers were the first for Estrada since Feb. 16, when he went 2-of-5 from 3-point land in a 73-43 win over Hampton. Estrada missed 10 straight 3-point attempts — his last two attempts against Hampton and all seven attempts against Stony Brook (0-for-4) and Northeastern (0-for-3) as well as his first attempt on Sunday — before sinking a 3-pointer with 3:45 left in the first half. That’s not the only 3-pointer drought the Dutchmen snapped Sunday!
ESTRADA MOVIN’ ON UP
Aaron Estrada surged past Ted Jackson into 29th place on the all-time Hofstra scoring list Sunday. Estrada enters today 22 points shy of moving past Rokas Gustys into 28th place and 24 points away from surpassing Brian Bernardi and Juan’ya Green, who are tied for 26th place.
24t.) Demetrius Dudley 1,220
24t.) John Mills 1,220
26t.) Brian Bernardi 1,186
26t.) Juan’ya Green 1,186
28.) Rokas Gustys 1,184
29.) AARON ESTRADA 1,163
30.) Ted Jackson 1,159
31.) Nathaniel Lester 1,139
32.) Wandy Williams 1,132
33.) Mike Moore 1,128
34.) Richie Swartz 1,107
35.) Ameen Tanksley 1,090
36.) Derrick Flowers 1,069
37.) Darius Burton 1,060
38.) Percy Johnson 1,045
39.) James Shaffer 1,022
40.) John Irving 1,018
NO DOUBTING THOMAS
Tyler Thomas’ strong season continued Sunday afternoon, when he finished with 22 points. It was the 11th time this season Thomas has scored at least 20 points and the 10th time he’s done so in 19 CAA games. He’s scored in double figures in 12 straight games as well as 18 times in 19 CAA games and 26 times in 32 games overall.
THOMAS FOUR TIMES FROM THREE
Tyler Thomas had another solid game from beyond the arc Sunday afternoon, when he was 4-of-5 from 3-point land. It was the second straight game in which Thomas has hit at least four 3-pointers — he was 5-of-10 against Northeastern — and the 10th time this season he’s hit at least four 3-pointers. Thomas hit at least four 3-pointers 13 times in his first 80 games over the previous three seasons for Sacred Heart.
CARLOS FINDS HIS FORM
Jaquan Carlos also snapped his 3-point shooting drought (told you this was coming!) Sunday afternoon, when he was 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. Carlos hadn’t hit a 3-pointer since Feb. 16, when he his his lone attempt in a 73-43 win over Hampton. He missed eight straight 3-point attempts — all six attempts against Stony Brook as well as his one attempt against Northeastern and his first attempt Sunday — before sinking a 3-pointer with 16:00 left in the first half.
GOING NINE WITH DUBAR
Darlinstone Dubar continued his well-timed revival Sunday afternoon, when he scored nine points, including six in the first 5:27. Dubar has scored at least nine points in four of the last six games — and had seven and eight points in the other two — after scoring nine points or more just four times in the first 13 CAA games.
HOW MANY REBOUNDS DID WARREN WILLIAMS HAVE?
Niiiiiine rebounds. The nine-rebound game was the second straight for Williams and matched his season high against a Division I opponent as well as the most rebounds he’s had against a Division I opponent since he pulled down 10 rebounds for Manhattan against Siena on Feb. 27, 2021. Williams had 14 rebounds against Division III Old Westbury on Dec. 22.
NINES AND SIXES
Bryce Washington received additional playing time in the lopsided win Sunday afternoon, when he finished with nine points and six rebounds (hey I could have gone the immature route, give me a bit of credit). The nine points were the most for Washington since he scored a season-high 14 points in a 79-58 win over Stony Brook on Feb. 4. Washington also tied a season-high by pulling down six rebounds. He had six rebounds in a 68-65 win over Stony Brook on Feb. 18. Washington last had more than six rebounds in a game way back on Jan. 8, 2019, when he had a career-high 10 rebounds for Pennsylvania in a 78-70 win over Saint Joseph’s.
TWO FOR TOMASCO
Christian Tomasco got into the scoring column Sunday, when he hit a layup with 52 seconds left. While Tomasco had one point in the 86-57 win over Monmouth on Feb. 11, the basket was his since he scored against Northeastern in a 72-53 win over Northeastern and his third of the season. Tomasco also scored against Princeton in a season-opening 83-77 win on Nov. 7.
AIDEN’S BEST
Freshman Aiden Best continued quite a stretch for the Dutchmen’s walk-ons Sunday afternoon, when he scored six points in the final two minutes and closed out the scoring with a four-point play (!!!) with 30 seconds left. It’s the second straight game in which a walk-on accounted for the Dutchmen’s final four points in quirky fashion. Graduate senior Petey Galgano scored four points on a pair of layups in which goaltending was called on Northeastern on Feb. 25. The six points by Best are the most by a Hofstra walk-on since Connor Klementowicz scored nine points in a 107-54 win over Rosemont on Dec. 22, 2018.
LUCKY THIRTEEN
Per loyal reader EvanJ, all 13 players to get into the game for the Dutchmen on Sunday attempted at least one field goal. It’s the first time 13 players have attempted at least one field goal for the Dutchmen since a 74-59 win over Dartmouth way back on Dec. 17, 2005. That was 570 games ago!
A WIN FOR THE ONES
With Sunday’s win, the no. 1 seed in Hofstra’s conference tournament improved to 28-2 in its first tourney game in the Defiantly Dutch era (1993-present). The no. 1 seed in the CAA is now 39-2 all-time in its opening game.
OVER THE AIR
Tonight’s game will be carried live on CBS Sports Network, which is channel 215 in the Optimum/Altice Are Our Overlords Universe. Hofstra will provide a radio feed as well as live stats at the Pride Productions hub.
BACK IN THE SEMIS
The Dutchmen are in the CAA semifinals for the first time since 2021 and the 10th time since joining the league prior to the 2001-02 season. Hofstra fell in the semifinals in 2002, 2005, 2011, 2015 and 2021, reached the title game before losing in 2006, 2016 and 2019 and, of course, won it all in 2020.
This is the Dutchmen’s 15th trip to the conference semifinals dating back to 1994. Hofstra fell in the America East semifinals in 1998 and 1999 and won it all in the ECC in 1994 and in the America East in 2000 and 2001.
SCOUTING UNC WILMINGTON
The Seahawks, under third-year head coach Takayo Siddle, advanced to the semifinals by overcoming a 12-point second-half deficit to edge Drexel, 73-68, in the second quarterfinal Sunday afternoon. Nick Farrar tied a season-high by scoring 19 points, including 15 in the second half and eight over the final 12 minutes. UNC Wilmington, which improved to 23-9, earned the no. 4 seed by finishing 12-6 in CAA play. This is the second straight trip beyond the quarterfinals for the Seahawks, who reached the championship game last year before falling to Delaware, 59-55.
The Dutchmen and Seahawks had no common opponents in non-conference play. In CAA play, both teams swept Monmouth and Stony Brook and beat Drexel. The Dutchmen swept Hampton and Northeastern, both of whom UNC Wilmington beat, and defeated Elon, whom the Seahawks swept. The Dutchmen swept Delaware and split with Towson, both of whom beat the Seahawks. The Dutchmen beat Charleston, which swept UNC Wilmington, and beat William & Mary, which split with the Seahawks. The Dutchmen lost to North Carolina A&T, whom UNC Wilmington swept.
The Dutchmen, who were picked to finish second in the CAA preseason poll, are ranked 86th at KenPom.com. The Seahawks, who were picked to finish fifth, are ranked 166th.
According to KenPom.com, the Dutchmen rank second in the CAA in conference-only offensive efficiency (113.1 points per 100 possessions) and first in conference-only defensive efficiency (91.4 points per 100 possessions) while averaging 66.7 possessions per 40 minutes, the sixth-most in the league. The Seahawks rank sixth in the CAA in conference-only offensive efficiency (100.7 points per 100 possessions) and fourth in defensive efficiency (96.6 points per 100 possessions) while averaging 65.9 possessions per 40 minutes, eighth-most in the league.
The Seahawks employ a well-rounded offense with just one double-digit scorer but six players averaging at least seven points per game. Sophomore forward Trazarien White, who was named to the all-CAA second team, leads the Seahawks with 13.9 points per game and also leads the team in rebounding at 5.8 rebounds per game. Senior guard Maleeck Harden-Hayes, a transfer from North Dakota State, ranks second on the team with 9.7 points per game and is third with 4.1 rebounds per game. Senior guard Shykeim Phillips is averaging 8.7 points per game. Senior forward Amari Kelly, who opened his career with two years at Duquesne, ranks second on the Seahawks with 5.3 rebounds per game while sophomore guard Jamarii Thomas leads the team with 2.3 assists per game.
KenPom.com predicts a 72-66 win for the Dutchmen. Per the wise guys in Vegas, for entertainment purposes only, the Dutchmen are 6-point favorites. The Dutchmen are 19-10-2 against the spread this season.
ALL-TIME VS. UNC WILMINGTON
Hofstra is 26-23 against UNC Wilmington in a series that began when the Dutchmen joined the CAA prior to the 2001-02 season. The Dutchmen won the lone meeting between the teams this season on Jan. 19, when Tyler Thomas scored 28 points in a 70-46 victory at the Arena. That game began the current 12-game winning streak for the Dutchmen, who broke open a 30-30 tie at the half by outscoring the Seahawks 40-16 over the final 20 minutes. This marks the first time since 2006 the Dutchmen are facing in the CAA Tournament two teams they opposed just once in the regular season since 2006, when they beat VCU and George Mason in the quarterfinals and semifinals, Then what happened? (They lost to UNC Wilmington in the title game but got an at-large bid)
Speaking of the CAA Tournament, the Dutchmen are 2-4 all-time in the tourney against the Seahawks, whom they’ve faced more than any other opponent except Delaware (3-3).
THINGS YOU CAN SHOUT ON TWITTER IF CALLS GO DO NOT GO HOFSTRA’S WAY
Skeet Ulrich attended your school but didn’t graduate bias! (In honor of the new Scream movie coming out this week)
Jerry Wainwright beat us in the 2007 NIT bias! (The former UNC Wilmington head coach went to Richmond and then DePaul, who ended the careers of Loren Stokes and Carlos Rivera)
Your new AD is from UConn bias! (It’s true)
Not the singer Freddy Jackson bias! (The former UNCW guard is Freddie Jackson and we’re sticking with the oldies but goodies)
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