Let's hope the pre- and post-game spread looks better than this.
It took until the day before the Super Bowl and the weekend before Valentine’s Day, but the Flying Dutchmen finally got to enjoy a stress-free CAA win Saturday, when they snapped the program-record stretch of close games with a wire-to-wire 81-49 victory over North Carolina A&T. The stress is sure to return tonight, when the Dutchmen visit Drexel in a classic ECC battle that also, secondarily, has major implications regarding the CAA’s double byes next month. Here’s a look back at the win over the Aggies and a look ahead to the Dragons.
THE MOST RECENT GAME SUMMARIZED IN ONE PARAGRAPH
German Plotnikov (20 points, seven rebounds) had the best game of his career and Tyler Thomas (19 points, 10 rebounds) posted a double-double as the Dutchmen rode a dominant first-half defensive performance to their most lopsided win in almost three months. Plotnikov had a pair of 3-pointers during a game-opening 16-2 run by the Dutchmen, who limited North Carolina A&T to 1-of-13 shooting with seven turnovers during the first 10 minutes. The Dutchmen led by double digits the rest of the way and held the Aggies to 15 first-half points and extended the lead to 22 points at 51-29 on Thomas’ 3-pointer with 13:53 left before opening the lead to 30-plus points over the final three-plus minutes. The 20 points were a career-high while the seven boards were the most for Plotnikov against a Division I foe. Thomas had his third career double-double while Jacco Fritz scored 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting in just 20 minutes. Darlinstone Dubar also had 13 points. Jaquan Carlos added six points while Khalil Farmer and KiJan Robinson scored five points apiece off the bench.
3 STARS OF THE GAME (vs. North Carolina A&T, 2/10)
3: German Plotnikov
2: Tyler Thomas
1: Jacco Fritz
SEASON STANDINGS
Tyler Thomas 51
Darlinstone Dubar 46
Jaquan Carlos 25
Jacco Fritz 10
German Plotnikov 8
Bryce Washington 6
Silas Sunday 2
KiJan Robinson 2
WAS THIS A UNICORN SCORE?
No! But it took a deep dive into the record books to find the lone previous 81-49 win in program history — a decisive victory over Queens way back during the 1953-54 season. My parents were in elementary school, if that! Remarkably, this is only the second-oldest, second-time score of the season. The 64-55 win over William & Mary on Jan. 25 was the Dutchmen’s first by that score since the 1951-52 season.
The Dutchmen have earned six unicorn score victories this season after recording 13 unicorn score victories last season, 11 unicorn score victories in 2021-22, no unicorn score victories in 2020-21, 13 unicorn score victories in 2019-20 and 10 unicorn score victories 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. (The Super Bowl final, alas, was not a Scorigami)
WHO HAD THE KEITH HERNANDEZ?
Darlinstone Dubar extended his season lead in Keith Hernandezes and took care of business much earlier than usual by Dutchmen standards by sinking a 3-pointer with 17:16 left in the first half to put the visitors up 5-2. It’s only the third time in CAA play the Keith Hernandez has been recorded in the first half.
Darlinstone Dubar go-ahead layup vs. St. Joseph’s (NY), 11/6/23 (14:30 left 1H)
Jaquan Carlos tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Buffalo, 11/20/23 (19:33 left 1H)
Tyler Thomas tie-breaking free throw vs. Wright State, 11/21/23 (4:16 left 2H)
Darlinstone Dubar tie-breaking jumper vs. High Point, 11/22/23 (4:47 left OT)
Darlinstone Dubar tie-breaking layup vs. South Florida, 11/30/23 (19:42 left 1H)
Jacco Fritz tie-breaking jumper vs. Iona, 12/6/23 (12:37 left 1H)
Tyler Thomas tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Norfolk State, 12/16/23 (13:45 left 2H)
Tyler Thomas go-ahead 3-pointer vs. Delaware, 1/6/24 (17:46 left 1H)
Bryce Washington go-ahead 3-pointer vs. Hampton, 1/18/24 (5:24 left 2H)
Darlinstone Dubar go-ahead jumper vs. Stony Brook, 1/22/24 (6:52 left 2H)
Darlinstone Dubar tie-breaking layup vs. William & Mary, 1/25/24 (19:47 left 1H)
Tyler Thomas go-ahead jumper vs. Stony Brook, 2/1/24 (:0.4 left 2H)
Jacco Fritz tie-breaking layup vs. Towson, 2/3/24 (2:16 left 2H)
Silas Sunday tie-breaking layup vs. Hampton, 2/8/24 (3:48 left 2H)
Darlinstone Dubar tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. North Carolina A&T, 2/10/24 (17:16 left 1H)
SEASON STANDINGS
Darlinstone Dubar 6
Tyler Thomas 4
Jacco Fritz 2
Silas Sunday 1
Bryce Washington 1
Jaquan Carlos 1
ALL-TIME STANDINGS (or at least since last season)
Tyler Thomas 14
Darlinstone Dubar 11
Aaron Estrada 4
Warren Williams 3
Jacco Fritz 2
Jaquan Carlos 2
German Plotnikov 2
Silas Sunday 1
Bryce Washington 1
The Keith Hernandez is bestowed upon the player who scores the points that put the Dutchmen ahead for good in a victory. The stat pays homage to Hernandez, the World Series-winning Cardinals and Mets first baseman who had a record 129 game-winning RBIs when the stat was inexplicably discontinued after the 1988 season.
THE FLYING DUTCHMEN AFTER TWENTY-FIVE GAMES
With Saturday’s win, the Dutchmen improved to 15-10. This ties the 2023-24 team for the 27th-best record in school history through 25 games. This is the first time the Dutchmen have opened 15-10 since 2017-18 and just the fourth time overall in school history. The Dutchmen were also 14-10 for the fourth time overall and the first time since 2017-18. That’s pretty quirky! Here is how some notable Hofstra teams have fared through 25 games:
NCAA DIVISION I TOURNAMENT TEAMS
1975-76: 14-11 (win in 25th game marked second win of six-game winning streak that carried Dutchmen into the NCAAs)
1976-77: 19-6 (win in 25th game marked fifth win of nine-game winning streak that carried Dutchmen into the NCAAs)
1999-2000: 19-6
2000-01: 21-4 (win in 25th game marked 13th win in program-record, single-season 18-game winning streak)
2019-20 (IT COUNTS TO US): 18-7 (most recent 18-7 start)
NIT TEAMS
1998-99: 18-7
2004-05: 18-7
2005-06: 20-5 (most recent 20-5 start)
2006-07: 19-6 (most recent 19-6 start)
2015-16: 17-8
2018-19: 21-4 (most recent 21-4 start)
2022-23: 17-8 (most recent 17-8 start, win in 25th game marked fifth win of 12-game winning streak that continued into the CAA Tournament)
NCAA DIVISION II TOURNAMENT TEAMS
1958-59: 19-6
1961-62: 22-3 (best 25-game record in school history)
1962-63: 19-6 (eighth win of 11-game winning streak)
1963-64: 20-5
Some other notable 25-game records:
2021-22: 16-9 (most recent 16-9 start)
2016-17: 12-13 (most recent 12-13 start)
2013-14: 8-17 (most recent 8-17 start, Joe Mihalich’s first team)
2012-13: 6-19 (most recent 6-19 start, tied for worst 25-game record in school history)
2009-10: 12-13 (under .500 for the last time)
2007-08: 9-16 (most recent 9-16 start)
2001-02: 10-15 (only 10-15 start, loss in 25th game marked fourth loss of Tom Pecora-era record-tying eight-game losing streak)
1996-97: 11-14 (most recent 11-14 start)
1994-95: 8-17 (Jay Wright’s first year)
1993-94: 6-19 (loss to ECC foe Chicago State started two-game losing streak heading into ECC Tournament, VBK’s last year)
1992-93: 8-17 (win over ECC foe Central Connecticut in 25th game gave Hofstra a sweep of the seasons series and the “ECC title”)
1991-92: 17-8 (win in 25th game was sixth in nine-game winning streak that ended in ECC title game)
1990-91: 13-12 (most recent 13-12 start)
1987-88: 6-19 (final win of the season and of Dick Berg’s tenure)
1985-86: 14-11 (most recent 14-11 start)
1982-83: 18-7 (final win of season)
1981-82: 11-14 (loss in 25th game was final loss of eight-game losing streak)
1978-79: 8-17 (third loss of season-ending five-game losing streak)
1971-72: 11-14 (lost season finale and Paul Lynner’s final game as coach)
1970-71: 17-8 (win in 25th game was fourth win of season-ending five-game winning streak)
1969-70: 12-13 (under .500 for the last time)
1968-69: 12-13 (won season finale)
1967-68: 13-12 (won season finale)
1966-67: 12-13 (won season finale)
1960-61: 21-4 (lost season finale)
1956-57: 11-14 (final win of season)
1955-56: 21-4 (final win of season)
1952-53: 20-5 (final win of season)
1950-51: 15-10 (third win of six-game winning streak)
Hofstra has never been 25-0, 24-1, 23-2, 7-18, 5-20, 4-21, 3-22, 2-23, 1-24 or 0-25 through 25 games.
Eighteen seasons were completed in fewer than 25 games:
1936-37 (10-7)
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)
1947-48 (13-6)
1953-54 (15-9)
1957-58 (15-8)
1959-60 (23-1)
1972-73 (8-16)
1973-74 (8-16)
1974-75 (11-13)
2020-21 (13-10)
Full records not available for the following seasons: 1936-37, 1941-42, 1942-43.
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 NINETY-TWO
With Saturday’s win, Speedy Claxton improved to 61-31 (.663) as head coach. That’s tied for the best known winning percentage for a Hofstra coach through his first 90 games at the helm.
Paul Lynner 61-31 (.663, 92nd game was the eighth game of his fourth season in 1965-66)
SPEEDY CLAXTON 61-31 (.663, 92nd game was the 25th game of his third season in 2023-24)
Frank Reilly 60-32 (.652, 92nd game was the 21st game of his fourth season in 1950-51)
Butch van Breda Kolff I 60-32 (.652, 92nd game was the 17th game of his fourth season in 1958-59)
Dick Berg 47-45 (.511, 92nd game was the 10th game of his fourth season in 1983-84)
Joe Mihalich 47-45 (.511, 92nd game was the 25th game of his third season in 2015-16)
Butch van Breda Kolff II 44-48 (.478, 92nd game was the seventh game of his fourth season in 1991-92)
Roger Gaeckler 37-55 (.402, 92nd game was the 20th game of his fourth season in 1975-76)
Jay Wright 37-55 (.402, 92nd game was the 10th game of his fourth season in 1997-98)
Mo Cassara 37-55 (.402, 92nd game was the 27th game of his third season in 2012-13)
Tom Pecora 36-56 (.391, 92nd game was the second game of his fourth season in 2004-05)
Now this is quirky. There are two-way ties for first, third and fifth and a three-way tie for eighth. The only coaches in sole possession of a spot are VBK II and TP I. I believe this marks the first time Jay Wright climbs out of sole possession of last or next-to-last place since we began tracking coaches with Speedy Claxton’s second season in 2022-23.
The records are incomplete for Jack McDonald’s first stint from 1936 through 1943 as well as the tenure of Jack Smith (1943-46). But not Frank Reilly (1947-55) anymore!
Smith finished 27-32 in his three seasons. 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.
WIRE-TO-WIRE WIN
The Dutchmen never trailed Saturday afternoon. It was their fifth wire-to-wire win of the season and their first since a 64-55 victory over William & Mary on Jan. 25.
11/20/23: 102-68 over Buffalo
11/30/23: 82-63 over South Florida
12/6/23: 62-57 over Iona
1/25/24: 64-55 over William & Mary
2/10/24: 81-49 over North Carolina A&T
The Dutchmen had nine wire-to-wire wins last season — their most since at least the 2005-06 season, which is as far back as play-by-play logs go at the Hofstra site.
NO MORE TEAM BARBASOL (at least for now)
Thanks again to loyal reader EvanJ for asking about this truly quirky — but, alas, now no longer historical — stat. The Dutchmen’s program-record streak of 10 straight games decided by fewer than 10 points ended with Saturday’s 32-point victory. That was also the longest such active streak in the country…and as it turns out, the last five days were a rough one for this quirky stat.
The new leader in the clubhouse, and not by a little bit, is North Alabama, whose streak hit nine games with Saturday’s 67-63 loss to Jacksonville. Every other school that entered Saturday with a streak of at least seven straight games decided by fewer than 10 points have subsequently played a game decided by double digits.
Baylor’s streak ended at 10 games with Tuesday’s 79-62 win over Oklahoma while Purdue Fort Wayne’s streak ended at nine games with Saturday’s 92-65 win over IUPUI (hey! The CBI!) and East Tennessee’s streak ended at nine games with Wednesday’s 84-71 win over Chattanooga. Southern Illinois’ streak ended at eight games with Wednesday’s 82-68 loss to Belmont while Monmouth’s streak ended at seven games with Saturday’s 77-65 loss to Northeastern.
A PRETTY GOOD FIRST HALF
The Dutchmen held North Carolina A&T to just 15 points in the first half Saturday — the fewest points the Dutchmen have surrendered in a half since limiting William & Mary to 14 first-half points in a 94-46 win in the CAA Tournament quarterfinals last Mar. 5.
A SECOND-HALF TEAM
The Dutchmen continued their first half/second half discrepancy Saturday, when they followed up a 34-point first half with a 47-point second half. The Dutchmen are averaging 40.1 points per second half (1,003 points overall) as opposed to averaging 33.8 points per first half (845 points overall). I’d have to imagine that’s one of the biggest discrepancies in Division I. (These figures don’t include the nine points the Dutchmen scored in overtime of the 97-92 win over High Point on Nov. 22)
THE DEFENSE DOESN’T REST
The Dutchmen extended a quartet of impressive streaks by holding North Carolina A&T to 49 points on Saturday afternoon. That’s three straight wins in which the Dutchmen have allowed fewer than 60 points, the longest such stretch since the Dutchmen won five straight games while allowing fewer than 60 points from Feb. 4-16, 2023. The Dutchmen are now 6-0 this season when allowing fewer than 60 points and have won 50 straight games when surrendering fewer than 60 points dating back to Feb. 10, 2014, when they fell to James Madison, 59-53.
In addition, the Dutchmen have won their last 15 games in which they’ve allowed fewer than 50 points dating back to a 48-47 loss to William & Mary on Jan. 2, 2010.
STUCK ON TWO
Now here’s a quirky stat: North Carolina A&T scored just two points in the first 10 minutes Saturday afternoon. As far as I can tell, that’s the fewest points allowed by the Dutchmen in the first 10 minutes of a game since at least the 2005-06 season, which is as far back as the play-by-play logs go at the official Hofstra site. Full play-by-plays are missing for the handful of games the Dutchmen played at Madison Square Garden between 2005-06 and 2009-10. If my research is correct, the Dutchmen allowed as few as four points in the first 10 minutes of a game just twice in the previous 18-plus seasons prior to Saturday. The Dutchmen held Stony Brook to four points in the first 10 minutes of a 73-56 win on Dec. 14, 2005 and limited New Hampshire to four points in the first 10 minutes of a 62-57 win on Dec. 27, 2008.
DUBAR MOVIN’ ON UP
Darlinstone Dubar continued climbing the all-time Hofstra scoring list Thursday, when he finished with 13 points to increase his career total to 1,184 points and tie Rokas Gustys for 30th place. Dubar enters tonight just three points shy of leapfrogging Gustys’ former teammates Brian Bernardi and Juan’ya Green for 28th place — back-to-back ties, that’s quirky! — and 36 points shy of surpassing his former teammate Aaron Estrada.
26.) Aaron Estrada 1,219
28t.) Brian Bernardi 1,186
28t.) Juan’ya Green 1,186
30t.) DARLINSTONE DUBAR 1,184
30t.) Rokas Gustys 1,184
31.) Ted Jackson 1,159
THOMAS MOVIN’ ON UP TOO
Tyler Thomas, who joined Dubar in the 1,000-point club on Jan. 25, moved up the all-time Hofstra scoring list Saturday, when his 19 points increased his career total to 1,123 points and lifted him past Richie Swartz into 35th place. Thomas is six points away from moving past fellow Connecticut native Mike Moore for 34th place, 10 points away from leapfrogging Wandy Williams for 33rd place and 17 points shy of surging past Nathaniel Lester for 32nd place.
32.) Nathaniel Lester 1,139
33.) Wandy Williams 1,132
34.) Mike Moore 1,128
35.) TYLER THOMAS 1,123
36.) Richie Swartz 1,107
37.) Ameen Tanksley 1,090
38.) Derrick Flowers 1,069
39.) Darius Burton 1,060
40.) Percy Johnson 1,045
41.) James Shaffer 1,022
42.) John Irving 1,018
GERMAN FOR STARTERS
German Plotnikov bounced back from a quiet two-game stretch with the best game of his career Saturday, when he scored a career-high 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting and pulled down seven rebounds. The 20 points broke Plotnikov’s previous single-game high of 17 points, set in the 72-71 win over Stony Brook on Feb. 1, while the seven rebounds were his most against a Division I opponent and his most since he had eight rebounds against Division III St. Joseph’s (NY) in the season-opening 101-48 win on Nov. 6. Plotnikov had just two points in his previous two games and seven rebounds in his previous three games. The Dutchmen are 7-1 since Plotnikov joined the starting lineup, a span in which he is averaging 9.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists over 30 minutes. He averaged 3.7 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.6 assists over 14 minutes per game in 13 games this season as a reserve.
FROM ZERO TO TWENTY
German Plotnikov scored a career-high 20 points Saturday after being held scoreless against Hampton in last Thursday’s 63-59 win over Hampton. Depending on how you categorize a scoreless game, this is the first time in either seven-plus or five-plus years a Hofstra player has scored at least 20 points immediately after a scoreless game. Deron Powers followed up a scoreless effort against Charleston on Jan. 7, 2017 by scoring 21 points against Elon five days later. However, Kenny Wormley scored 20 points against Division III Rosemont on Dec. 22, 2018 after sitting the previous eight games.
GO FOURTH, YOUNG MAN
German Plotnikov tied a pair of career-bests Saturday, when he was 4-of-4 on his 2-point field goal attempts and 4-of-5 from 3-point land. It was the third time Plotnikov has gone 4-of-4 from inside the arc and the second time he’s been 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Plotnikov previously made all four of his 2-point field goal attempts in a 72-53 win over Northeaster on Feb. 8, 2023 and in the 64-55 win over William & Mary on Jan. 25. He was also 4-of-5 from 3-point land in the 72-71 win over Stony Brook on Feb. 1.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE VISION
Tyler Thomas recorded his first double-double of the season Saturday, when he had 19 points and 10 rebounds. It was also the second double-double of his Hofstra career and the third double-double of his collegiate tenure. Thomas had 23 points and 11 rebounds in a 79-58 win over Stony Brook on Feb. 4, 2023 and finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds in Sacred Heart’s 86-81 overtime win over La Salle on Nov. 9, 2021.
NO DOUBTING THOMAS
Tyler Thomas continued his resurgence by scoring 19 points Saturday while going 8-of-16 from the field, including 3-of-5 from 3-point land, Thomas is 19-of-40 from beyond the arc over his last five games after going just 11-of-48 from 3-point land in five games from Jan. 11-25. He has scored in double figures in 47 of his last 49 games and 54 times overall in the last two seasons.
PUTTIN’ ON THE FRITZ
Jacco Fritz just missed posting another Christian Laettner — perfect from the field and the free throw line, albeit without stomping on someone’s chest — Saturday, when he scored 13 points while going 5-of-6 from the field and 3-of-3 from the free throw line. Fritz also added four rebounds and three assists despite playing just 20 minutes due to foul trouble.
SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY
Silas Sunday’ surge #Alliteration continued Saturday, when he had six rebounds in 21 minutes. Sunday has 13 rebounds in the lat two games after recording just 13 rebounds in his previous 11 games dating back to Dec. 30. The 21 minutes were the second-most of the season for Sunday, who played 27 minutes in the 71-68 loss to Saint Louis on Dec. 9.
THE GOOD KIND OF THIEVERY
Jaquan Carlos did a little bit of everything Saturday afternoon, when he finished with six points, three assists, two rebounds and two steals. Carlos has a combined six steals in his last two games, his most thefts over a two-game span since he also had six steals against Buffalo and Wright State from Nov. 20-21.
FARMER AID FOR THE DUTCHMEN
Khalil Farmer continued establishing a role for himself Saturday, when he scored five points in 19 minutes. The five points were one shy of Farmer’s season-high, set in the 102-68 win over Buffalo on Nov, 20, He has 13 points in his last thee games after scoring just 13 points in the previous 15 games combined dating back to Dec. 6. Farmer’s 19 minutes accounted for his most playing time since he played 26 minutes in the 89-68 loss to Duke on Dec. 12.
HERE’S TO YOU MR. ROBINSON
KiJan Robinson also finished with five points Saturday, when he scored for the first time since he had nine points against Monmouth in an 81-78 loss on Jan. 27. Robinson has scored at least five points nine times this season. How many times?
HENRIQUEZ WALKS ON
Freshman Jayden Henriquez became the first walk-on to appear in a game this season Saturday, when he missed his lone shot while playing the final three-plus minutes in his Hofstra debut. Henriquez is the first walk-on to play for the Dutchmen since Aiden Best and Petey Galgano each played down the stretch of the 94-48 win over William & Mary in the CAA Tournament quarterfinals last Mar. 5.
WITHOUT WASHINGTON
Bryce Washington, who has established himself as a glue guy off the bench since swapping spots with German Plotnikov, missed his second straight game due to injury Saturday. These are the first back-to-back DNPs for Washington since he missed three straight games from Nov, 11-17, 2022.
THE BIG GAME BEFORE THE BIG GAME
With Saturday’s win over North Carolina A&T, the Dutchmen improved to 28-29 in their final game before the Super Bowl. The Dutchmen have won four straight pre-Super Bowl games. Now that’s the quirkiness you’ve come to expect here!
OVER THE AIR
Today’s game will be carried live on Flo Hoops, but it will be the game FloHoops airs free on its YouTube and Twitter (yeah I’n not calling it anything else) accounts. Hofstra will also provide a radio feed as well as live stats at the Pride Productions hub.
SCOUTING DREXEL
The Dragons, under eighth-year head coach Zach Spiker, are 15-10 overall and 8-4 in CAA play following an 80-70 loss to Charleston on Saturday. It was the third straight loss and the fourth in the last five games for Drexel, which was the CAA’s last unbeaten team at 7-0 but is now in danger of falling out four-way tie with Hofstra, Delaware and Towson — Hey! That’s the entire ECC!!! — for the last two double byes.
The Dutchmen and Aggies had one common opponent in non-conference play. The Dutchmen fell to Princeton 74-67 on Nov. 10 while the Dragons lost to the Tigers, 81-70, on Dec. 5. In CAA play, both teams have beaten William & Mary and Delaware and lost to Charleston. The Dutchmen swept Hampton, whom Drexel beat in the lone meeting between the schools, and won their only game against North Carolina A&T, whom the Dragons swept. The Dutchmen lost to Monmouth, which split with Drexel, and beat Towson.
The Dutchmen, who were picked to finish fourth in the CAA preseason poll, are ranked 141st at KenPom.com. The Dragons, who were picked to finish third, are ranked 124th. The Dutchmen moved up eight spots in the KenPom.com rankings following Saturday’s win — the first time they’ve gained ground following a game since Jan. 6, a span of nine games.
According to KenPom.com, the Dutchmen rank sixth in the CAA in offensive efficiency (107.1 points per 100 possessions) and second in defensive efficiency (100.9 points per 100 possessions) while averaging 66.6 possessions per 40 minutes, the seventh-most in the league. That’s an IRON MAIDEN BIAS! The Dutchmen gained three spots in the defensive rankings following Saturday’s impressive performance. The Dragons rank third in the CAA in offensive efficiency (114.5 points per 100 possessions) and fourth in defensive efficiency (102.2 points per 100 possessions) while averaging 64.8 possessions per 40 minutes, 13th-most (or second-fewest) in the league.
Sophomore guard Justin Moore, a preseason all-CAA honorable mention selection, leads the Dragons with 12.4 points and 3.4 assists per game. Senior forward Amari Williams the preseason CAA player of the year, is averaging 12.2 points and a team-high 8.2 rebounds per game. Graduate student Lucas Monroe, who opened his career by playing three seasons at Pennsylvania, ranks second on the Dragons with 4.9 rebounds per game.
KenPom.com predicts a 68-63 loss for the Dutchmen. Per the wise guys in Vegas, for entertainment purposes only, the Dutchmen are 3-point underdogs. The Dutchmen are 8-16 against the spread this season but snapped a five-game losing streak with the bookies Saturday, when they improved to 2-10 in CAA play. Good thing nobody keeps track of standings that way!
THE ECC RACE
What has always only been a thing to me (and maybe Litos) might actually have an impact on the secondary thing that is the CAA race this season! None of the four ECC teams are playing a round-robin against each other due to the dreadful unbalanced schedule, but with Hofstra, Delaware, Drexel and Towson all tied for third in the CAA at 8-4 two-thirds of the way through the league season, the four-way competition might very well decide the third and fourth double byes.
In more important matters, the Dutchmen can win the ECC tonight, since a victory will ensure they’ll finish with the best winning percentage within ECC play even with one game remaining against the Dragons next week. As far as I’m concerned, that should also mean the Dutchmen get a double-bye with a win tonight, So let it be written, so let it be done.
HOFSTRA 2-0
Towson 2-2
Drexel 1-1
Delaware 1-3
The Flying Dutchmen won the ECC title last season after Towson took home the very real hardware in 2021-22.
ALL-TIME VS. DREXEL
Hofstra is 50-47 against Drexel in a series that began during the 1958-59 season. The Dutchmen won the lone meeting between the schools last season, when Aaron Estrada scored 22 points and added five rebounds and five assists in a wire-to-wire 66-52 win at the Arena on Feb. 13, 2023. It was the first time since 1982-83 that the Dutchmen and Dragons didn’t play a regular season home-and-home with one another. The Dutchmen have won 17 of the last 19 games between the schools
The Dutchmen and Dragons have opposed one another as members of the East Coast Conference, the North Atlantic Conference/America East and the CAA. The only opponent Hofstra has faced more than Drexel is Delaware, whom the Dutchmen have played 99 times.
THINGS YOU CAN SHOUT ON TWITTER IF CALLS GO DO NOT GO HOFSTRA’S WAY
The gang lost Family Fight bias! (The Show Me Dragon episode!)
The Phillies choked away the NLCS bias! (They kinda did, though of course it’s better to get there than have two MLB teams stumble around for six months and miss the playoffs entirely)
What the hell happened to the Eagles bias! (A good question)
You beat Villanova but it was without Jay Wright so it doesn’t count bias! (Self-explanatory)
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