Hofstra’s Pride Roars Back! Claxton Leads Team to First Dance Since ’01

Hofstra’s Pride Roars Back! Claxton Leads Team to First Dance Since ’01

After a grueling 25-year drought, the Hofstra Pride are finally dancing. Head Coach Speedy Claxton, a former NBA standout, has guided his alma mater back to the NCAA Tournament, a feat that has the program buzzing with excitement. The long wait, which began after the 2001 season, ended this week with a triumphant selection show moment that brought tears of joy and relief to Claxton and the Hofstra faithful.

A Long Time Coming: The ‘Finally’ Moment

When Hofstra’s name flashed on the screen during the NCAA Selection Show, Coach Claxton’s immediate thought was simple: “Finally.” The sentiment echoes a quarter-century of anticipation. “It’s been a long time coming, 25 years to be exact,” Claxton expressed. He recalled the bittersweet victory in the conference tournament during his time as an assistant coach, a triumph immediately overshadowed by the cancellation of the 2020 tournament due to the pandemic. “We were at the highest of highs, but then the next day it got cancelled. So, we were at the lowest of lows. So, you know, I was kind of just holding that hope until I just saw the select… until we got this selection show.”

Facing the Crimson Tide: A Tough Draw

The Pride’s reward for their long-awaited return is a daunting first-round matchup against the No. 4 seed Alabama Crimson Tide. Alabama boasts one of the nation’s most potent offenses, led by star scorer Leron Ruffin. “Great player, great team,” Claxton acknowledged about the Crimson Tide. The coaching staff is already deep in preparation, with Claxton stating, “We’re going to get together here in a little bit and then start breaking down Alabama and come up with a game plan and see what we need to do in order to beat them.”

Cruz Davis: The Heartbeat of the Pride

At the core of Hofstra’s resurgence is senior guard Cruz Davis, who has been nothing short of sensational this season. Davis is one of just 33 players in the country averaging 20 or more points per game. His decision to return to Hofstra after exploring professional opportunities speaks volumes about the program’s culture. “Cruz Davis is everything to our program,” Claxton emphasized. “He had an opportunity after last season to go out there and make significant money in the portal, but he chose to come back and come stay at Hofstra because this is a special place. We have special people here. So, I’m not surprised that he came back. I’m just happy that he’s seeing his hard work pay off.”

Blue-Collar Grit and Freshman Firepower

Claxton describes his team as a “blue-collar bunch” that embodies hard work and relentless competition. “We’re going to go out there, play hard, and we’re going to compete. We’re not going to back down from anyone.” This mentality is evident in the emergence of freshman guard Zephen Edme. Edme has been a revelation in the CAA Tournament, dropping 22 points in the semi-final and a season-high 26 points in the championship game. “He’s been big time, man,” Claxton beamed. “He is well beyond his years. He is not scared of the moment. He actually embraces the moment. He wants the ball in his hands. So I’m not surprised at the success he’s having because he’s honestly one of our hardest workers. He’s one of the first ones in the gym, always one of the last ones to leave. We actually have to have blackout days for him where he’s not allowed to be in the gym.”

New York Basketball is Back

The rise of Hofstra is part of a larger resurgence of basketball in the state of New York. With LIU also making the NCAA Tournament, St. John’s performing well under Rick Pitino, and Siena showing strength, Claxton sees a bright future for the region’s hoops scene. “New York basketball is back,” he declared. “We’ll be rooting for all those guys. Definitely rooting for my guy Strick over at LIU. Patino has been killing it at St. John’s. And my man Jerry Mack, happy for him. He’s done a terrific job at Siena, but New York basketball is on the rise.”

A Mentor’s Legacy: Jay Wright’s Influence

As Hofstra makes its return to the national stage, the legacy of former head coach Jay Wright looms large. Wright, who led the Pride to multiple NCAA appearances, has remained a mentor to Claxton. “I spoke to Coach [Wright] a couple of times,” Claxton confirmed. “He congratulated me Tuesday night after the win. And I spoke to him briefly on air earlier today. So, Coach Wright, he will forever be one of my mentors in this game. I owe a lot to him, man.”

Looking Ahead

With the tournament beginning, Hofstra is ready to embrace the challenge. Coach Claxton is confident in his team’s preparation and their ability to compete against the nation’s best. The Pride’s journey, fueled by a blend of veteran leadership, emerging talent, and a resilient team culture, promises to be one of the compelling stories of this year’s March Madness.

Source: 🚨 Hofstra Is BACK! Speedy Claxton on the Pride’s Big Moment (YouTube)