Messing with time to create a Hofstra vs. Tom Pecora game? What's the worst that could poss-i-bly happen (#WrongShow)?
After playing a game that wasn’t broadcast anywhere and then opposing an old East Coast Conference foe in their previous two contests, the Flying Dutchmen will time travel yet again today, except this, err, time via one of those Stewie Griffin-like machines where we get to see what life looks like in an alternate universe. Tom Pecora? Coaching AGAINST a Hofstra team coached by Speedy Claxton? What kind of nonsense is this?!
Anyway, the Dutchmen will attempt to end their non-conference slate on a winning note today against a friendly and familiar face (outside of two hours this afternoon, when he’s the bitter enemy, though not nearly as bitter as Jim Larranaga BYE JIM DON’T LET THE DOOR HIT YOUR HYPOCRITICAL BUTT ON THE WAY OUT). Here’s a look back at the loss to Temple two whole weeks ago and a look ahead to the Fightin’ TPs (they’re also called the Bobcats).
THE MOST RECENT GAME SUMMARIZED IN ONE PARAGRAPH
Jean Aranguren (16 points, 14 rebounds) was basically a one-man team Dec. 15 for the Flying Dutchmen, who shot just 25 percent from the field as they were worn down by their undermanned nature and Temple’s physical style. Aranguren and KiJan Robinson, the latter of whom made his first collegiate start with Cruz Davis (illness) and Jaquan Sanders (knee) sidelined, gave the Dutchmen a 6-0 lead by opening the game with consecutive 3-pointers, but the Dutchmen missed their next five shots. Khalil Farmer, who also made his first start, briefly ended the drought with a jumper to put the Dutchmen ahead 8-6, but Temple began taking control by scoring three straight 3-pointers. The Dutchmen got as close as three points twice but trailed 33-20 at the half and got within eight points early in the second half before trailing by double digits for the final 16 minutes. Temple led by as many as 20 and didn’t allow the Dutchmen to reach 40 points until German Plotnikov’s layup with 3:20 left. Aranguren added a team-high five assists as he won the triple crown MIGUEL CABRERA FOREVER. Robinson had nine points, albeit on 3-of-14 shooting, while Silas Sunday (five points, a career-high 11 rebounds) played 29 solid minutes as Michael Graham battled foul trouble. Plotnikov (five points) was the only other Hofstra player to score more than three points.
3 STARS OF THE GAME (vs. Temple, 12/15)
3: Jean Aranguren
2: Silas Sunday
1: KiJan Robinson
SEASON STANDINGS
Jean Aranguren 25
Cruz Davis 16
KiJan Robinson 9
Jaquan Sanders 9
Michael Graham 4
Khalil Farmer 3
Silas Sunday 2
Eric Parnell 2
TJ Gadsden 2
THE FLYING DUTCHMEN AFTER TWELVE GAMES
With the loss on Dec. 15, the Dutchmen fell to 8-4 this season. This ties the 2024-25 team for the 20th-best record in school history through 12 games. It’s the first time the Dutchmen have opened 8-4 since 2019-20 and the 13th time overall in school history. Here is how some notable Hofstra teams have fared through 12 games:
NCAA TOURNAMENT TEAMS
1975-76: 6-6
1976-77: 9-3
1999-2000: 8-4
2000-01: 8-4
2019-20 (IT COUNTS TO US): 8-4
NIT TEAMS
1998-99: 8-4
2004-05: 10-2
2005-06: 10-2 (most recent 10-2 start)
2006-07: 8-4
2015-16: 8-4
2018-19: 9-3 (most recent 9-3 start, marked sixth win in the 16-game winning streak)
2022-23 6-6 (most recent 6-6 start)
NCAA DIVISION II TOURNAMENT TEAMS
1958-59: 8-4
1961-62: 11-1
1962-63: 8-4
1963-64: 11-1 (most recent 11-1 start)
Some other notable 12-game starts:
2023-24: 7-5 (most recent 7-5 start)
2013-14: 4-8 (most recent 4-8 start, Joe Mihalich’s first team)
2012-13: 3-9 (most recent 3-9 start)
2011-12: 5-7 (most recent 5-7 start)
2002-03: 2-10 (most recent 2-10 start)
1994-95: 2-10 (Jay Wright’s first team)
1993-94: 1-11 (VBK’s last team, most recent 1-11 start)
1959-60: 11-1 (win in 12th game marked first win in season-ending 13-game winning streak)
1955-56: 12-0 (only 12-0 start in school history)
The Dutchmen have never opened a season 0-12.
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 ONE HUNDRED AND TWELVE
With the loss on Dec. 15, Speedy Claxton fell to 74-38 (.661) as head coach. That’s the third-best known winning percentage for a Hofstra coach through his first 112 games at the helm.
Butch van Breda Kolff I 78-34 (.696, 112th game was the 10th game of his fifth season in 1959-60) 68-34
Frank Reilly 77-35 (.688, 112th game was the 12th game of his fifth season in 1951-52) 66-34
SPEEDY CLAXTON 74-38 (.661, 112th game was the 12th game of his fourth season in 2024-25) 66-34
Paul Lynner 73-39 (.652, 112th game was the second game of his fifth season in 1966-67) 73-37
Joe Mihalich 60-52 (.536, 112th game was the 11th game of his fourth season in 2016-17) 54-47
Butch van Breda Kolff II 60-52 (.536, 112th game was the 27th game of his fourth season in 1991-92) 41-44
Dick Berg 57-55 (.509, 112th game was the second game of his fifth season in 1984-85) 56-54
Roger Gaeckler 52-60 (.464, 112th game was the 10th game of his fifth season in 1976-77) 45-57
Jay Wright 50-62 (.446, 112th game was the 30th game of his fourth season in 1997-98) 31-51
Tom Pecora 49-63 (.438, 112th game was the 22nd game of his fourth season in 2004-05) 34-56
Claxton remains in sole possession of third, but VBK II moves into a tie for fifth with Joe Mihalich as his ’91-92 team continues its surge to the ECC title game (real thing, Litos). And while Jay Wright finally gets to the 50-win milestone, he and fellow perpetual slacker Tom Pecora remain entrenched in the bottom two spots. Perpetual slackers!
The records are incomplete for Jack McDonald’s first stint from 1936 through 1943 as well as the tenure of Jack Smith (1943-46).
Smith finished 27-32 in his three seasons while Mo Cassara finished 38-59 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.
STUCK IN THE ‘40s (part one)
The Dutchmen scored fewer than 50 points for the third time this season Dec. 15. They beat Seton Hall 49-48 on Nov. 13 before falling to Houston 80-44 on Nov. 22. The Dutchmen last scored fewer than 50 points at least three times in a season during the ill-fated 2012-13 season, when they went 0-5 when scoring fewer than 50 points.
STUCK IN THE 40s (part two)
Speaking of that ill-fated 2012-13 season…the 42 points the Dutchmen scored Dec. 15 were their fewest since Jan. 31, 2013, when they fell to James Madison 62-41.
THE STREAK CONTINUES
German Plotnikov ensured the Dutchmen wouldn’t make an unwanted bit of history Dec. 15, when he hit a layup to pull the Dutchmen within 55-41 with 3:20 left. The Dutchmen have scored at least 40 points in each of their last 809 games dating back to a 55-37 loss to Drexel in the America East tournament semifinals on Feb. 28, 1999. Speedy Claxton missed that game with an injury.
GETTING TO FORTY (even if it takes a while)
German Plotnikov’s basket with 3:20 left Dec. 15 marked the latest in a game the Dutchmen have reached 40 points since Jan. 31, 2013, when Moussa Kone hit a layup with 31 seconds left to provide the final points in the 62-41 loss to James Madison. The assist on that basket was provided by Daquan Brown. I’ve mentioned him way too often this season.
TWENTY IN TWENTY (barely)
The Dutchmen trailed 33-20 at the half Dec. 15. The 20 first-half points were the fewest for the Dutchmen since Jan. 16, 2023, when they were limited to 20 first-half points in a 68-47 loss to Towson.
SUBPAR SHOOTING
The Dutchmen shot just 25 percent (14-of-56) from the field Dec. 15. It was the lowest field goal percentage for the Dutchmen since way back on Jan. 19, 2013, when they shot 22.9 percent (11-of-48) in a 57-46 loss to George Mason, Jim Larranaga is still mad Paul Hewitt didn’t run up the score (no, I will never stop making Jim Larranaga digs).
A SINGLE IN DOUBLES
Jean Aranguren was the only player to score in double figures for the Dutchmen Dec. 15, when he finished with 16 points, The Dutchmen are 0-3 this season when only one player scores in double figures and 0-4 in such games under Speedy Claxton.
JEAN FITS
OK enough of that downbeat stuff. Jean Aranguren was the bright spot for the Dutchmen Dec. 15, when he led the Dutchmen with 16 points, 14 rebounds and five assists while sharing the team lead with three blocks. The double-double was the second of the season by Aranguren, who had 20 points and 11 rebounds in the 75-71 overtime win over Massachusetts on Nov. 16, and the fourth this season by a Hofstra player. KiJan Robinson had 10 points and 10 rebounds in the 89-62 win over Old Westbury on Nov. 4 while Michael Graham finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds in the 68-66 win over Arkansas State on Dec. 1.
JEAN NO LONGER BLUE
Jean Aranguren continued bouncing back from a brief slump Dec. 15, when he had 16 points while leading the Dutchmen with 14 rebounds and five assists. Aranguren has 71 points, 30 rebounds and 19 assists in his last five games after scoring just two points with three assists and five rebounds in two games against Houston and Rice from Nov. 22-29.
JEAN’S TRIPLE CROWN
Jean Aranguren led the Dutchmen with 16 points, 14 rebounds and five assists Dec. 15. He’s the first Hofstra player to win the in-game triple crown since Feb. 15, when Tyler Thomas had 34 points, six rebounds and six assists in a 79-77 loss to Drexel. Thomas had a partial triple crown Mar. 11, when he led the Dutchmen with 32 points and nine rebounds while tying Jaquan Carlos for the team lead with six assists in the 63-59 loss to Stony Brook in the CAA Tournament semifinals.
SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY
Silas Sunday continued his productive season Dec. 15, when he had five points and a career-high 11 rebounds in a career-high 29 minutes. Sunday has pulled down at least five rebounds in six of his last seven games after recording at least five rebounds just eight times in his first 37 games with Hofstra dating back to last season.
HERE’S TO YOU MR. ROBINSON
KiJan Robinson made his first career start Dec. 15, when he finished with nine points in a career-high 35 minutes. Robinson has scored at least six points in 10 of his 12 games this season after scoring at least six points seven times in 32 games as a freshman last season.
FARMER RISES EARLY
With Jaquan Sanders (injury) and Cruz Davis (illness) sidelined, Khalil farmer also made his first career start Dec. 15, when he finished with two points in a season-high 26 minutes. The 26 minutes tied Farmer’s career-high, set first against Duke on Dec. 12, 2023. Farmer has scored in each of the last seven games after scoring in just 14 of his first 26 games with the Dutchmen.
GERMAN FOR STARTERS
German Plotnikov, the lone returning player who made a start last season for the Dutchmen, made his second straight start Dec. 15, when he finished with five points and tied for the team lead with three blocks in 30 minutes. Plotnikov, who remained in the lineup even with the return of TJ Gadsden, has scored in each of the last six games after scoring just once in the first six games.
TJ TO THE EXTREME
TJ Gadsden’s hot-and-mostly-cold season continued Dec. 15, when he nearly pulled the Club Trillion by going scoreless with no rebounds and no assists while committing one turnover and one foul in 13 minutes off the bench, Gadsden, who started the first 10 games for the Dutchmen before sitting out the game against Norfolk State on Dec, 9, has just 32 points and 26 rebounds in the 10 games outside of a 75-71 win over Massachusetts on Nov. 16, when he finished with nine points and 11 rebounds in the 75-71 overtime victory. He has yet to reach double figures in 11 games this season after scoring at least 10 points in 11 of 25 games last season for Canisius.
CRAZY EIGHTS FOR GRAHAM
Michael Graham was effective on the boards in limited action Dec. 15, when he had eight rebounds but drew two first-half fouls and finished with two points in just 11 minutes. Graham has pulled down at least eight rebounds in five of 12 games this season. The Dutchmen have lost the last three games against Division I foes in which Graham was limited to fewer than 20 minutes.
PARNELL’S ROUGH GAME
Sophomore Eric Parnell’s first extended opportunity against a Division I foe didn’t go well Dec. 15, when he finished with three points while going 1-of-8 from the field — including 1-of-7 from 3-point land — over a career-high 17 minutes. Parnell, who scored 19 points in 16 minutes against Division III St. Joseph’s (NY) on Dec. 6, entered Dec. 15 scoreless in six minutes against Division I opposition.
OVER THE AIR
Today’s game is slated to be carried live on ESPNPlus, which you have if you have the Disney Bundle, which you have if you have a child under 18. (Alas mine mostly watches Max and Netflix, sigh) Hofstra will provide a radio feed as well as live stats at the Pride Productions hub.
QUINNIPIAC AND THE MAAC
Quinnipiac, under some second-year head coach named Tom Pecora NEVER HEARD OF HIM, is 5-7 this season and 2-0 in the MAAC following an 84-80 non-conference loss to Central Connecticut on Dec. 21. So Hofstra is playing Tom Pecora’s team one game after Pecora’s team played my parents’ alma mater, which was my safety school back in 1993. Worlds colliding!
Quinnipiac, which won the MAAC regular season title for the first time ever last season before falling to Saint Peter’s at the buzzer in the MAAC Tournament semifinals (once a Dutchmen, always a Dutchmen, Tom), was picked to finish first in the 13-team MAAC. It was the first time the Bobcats have been picked to win the MAAC since they joined the league in 2013-14.
A big reason for Quinnipiac’s preseason favorite status is the fact last season’s top five scorers with remaining eligibility all returned to the team. Preseason MAAC player of the year Amarri Monroe, a junior who began his career at Wofford, is averaging 14.4 points per game while ranking second on the Bobcats with 6.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Graduate student Paul Otieno, a preseason all-MAAC second team selection who opened his career with two years at Kilgore College in Texas, is averaging 12.3 points and a team-high 7.5 rebounds per game. Graduate student Savion Lewis, a preseason all-MAAC first team selection who is in his sixth season at Quinnipiac, is averaging 5.9 points and a team-high 5.6 assists per game, though he missed three games due to injury. True sophomore Khaden Bennett is averaging 10.8 points per game. True freshman Jaden Zimmerman is averaging 8.9 points per game while junior Ryan Mabrey, who began his career with two seasons at Miami (OH), is averaging 7.3 points per game. True sophomore Doug Young is averaging 6.2 points per game.
Per KenPom.com, Quinnipiac ranks 282nd nationally in offensive efficiency (101.2 points per 100 possessions) and 207th in defensive efficiency (108.5 points per 100 possessions) while ranking 62nd in tempo (71.0 possessions per 40 minutes).
The Dutchmen and Bobcats have one common opponent this season. The Dutchmen earned a 90-76 win on Nov. 8 over the MAAC’s Iona, who is slated to oppose Quinnipiac twice in league play.
The Dutchmen are 1-1 all-time against Quinnipiac, whom they beat 72-70 in the Northern Classic on Nov. 27, 2022. Quinnipiac opened the series with a 71-68 win over the Dutchmen in the championship game of the Hofstra Holiday Tournament on Dec. 1, 2002.
Hofstra is 107-118 all-time against current MAAC schools. The Dutchmen are playing at least two MAAC foes this season for the 16th time in the last 19 seasons.
At KenPom.com this morning, Hofstra is ranked 164th while Quinnipiac is ranked 251st.KenPom.com predicts a 70-68 win for the Dutchmen. Per the wise guys in Vegas, for entertainment purposes only, the Dutchmen are 1-point favorites. The Dutchmen are 6-4 against the spread this season.
IT’S BEEN SUCH A LONG TIME
This afternoon marks the Dutchmen’s first game following a 14-day break. The pandemic-wracked 2020-21 season aside, this is the longest break the Dutchmen have had since they had 14 days off between an 80-70 loss to Dartmouth on Dec. 18, 1994 and a 77-66 win over Maine on Jan. 1, 1995. Wow! Spanning two years! Also, that was Jay Wright’s first season at Hofstra, which means it was also Tom Pecora’s first season at Hofstra. Speaking of which…
REUNITED
…Tom Pecora will become just the fourth former Hofstra head coach to oppose the Flying Dutchmen this afternoon and the first since Jay Wright directed Villanova to a 95-71 win over the Dutchmen at Nassau Coliseum on Dec. 22, 2017. Butch van Breda Kolff went 8-3 with Lafayette against Hofstra from the 1984-85 through 1987-88 seasons (after which he returned to Hofstra) while Joe Harrington, who coached Hofstra during the 1980-81 season, directed Long Beach State to an 89-69 win over the Dutchmen on Dec, 28, 1989, Hey! That’s 35 years ago yesterday!
THINGS YOU CAN SHOUT ON TWITTER (OR BLUESKY) IF CALLS GO DO NOT GO HOFSTRA’S WAY
Turk Wendell bias! (The quirky and popular Mets reliever went to Quinnipiac)
You’re a hockey school bias! (The Bobcats won the 2023 national title with an overtime win over Minnesota)
Your polls have a bias bias! (I don’t know if that’s true, just feels like the right thing to say at the end of 2024 about a school that’s at the forefront of political polling)
Fordham still sucks bias! (Just seems right)
This is all extremely weird bias! (Rooting against Tom Pecora? In this or any other economy?)
