Hofstra, NIT 3/18 2:00 pm ESPN+

[leo from jersey]

event about to start - bring it on

[Lobot]

I was a little surprised to learn that we have never played Hofstra until today. We've played a lot of the other teams out of the Colonial conference as buy games and in the NCAAs, but not the Pride.

Hofstra is 25-9 up to this point and finished in 1st place in the regular season. The key here is containing Aaron Estrada on the offensive end. He's the do everything guy for the them as the leading leading scorer and rebounder.

I can't find film on the Pride but it appears based on the stats that they play a four guard, one forward offense which might turn out to be a bit like Villanova. They have some height at 6'8 and 6'10 but none of the forwards average much more than 20 minutes a game. Outside of two freshman forwards, most of the team is 6'5 or under.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...nutes/dir/desc

[Lobot]

I just realized because this is ESPN+ and an away game, Hofstra will be producing. The broadcast might be a little intersting a la BGSU from a few years ago.

[GoBearcats31]

We’ll be in attendance today. My wife went to Hofstra and our 2 year old daughter will be dressed 50/50 Pride/Bearcat, a la Donna Kelce at the suberbowl.

I’ve watched a decent amount of Hofstra this season and seasons past. They will bring energy 40 mins non-stop. They can score and they hustle on defense. If we don’t start with energy, we’re gonna struggle in the first half big time and might not recover in the second half.

Awesome -- have fun

[Big_Daddy_Bearcat_07]

We’ll be in attendance today. My wife went to Hofstra and our 2 year old daughter will be dressed 50/50 Pride/Bearcat, a la Donna Kelce at the suberbowl.

I’ve watched a decent amount of Hofstra this season and seasons past. They will bring energy 40 mins non-stop. They can score and they hustle on defense. If we don’t start with energy, we’re gonna struggle in the first half big time and might not recover in the second half.

[Corporateballa]

Maybe a bit of an exaggeration by Wes

Kenpom
Hofstra 86
NKU 157

For comparison Cincinnati is 53 and Virginia Tech was 81 (only slightly higher than Hofstra)

what part of Coach Miller’s comment was an exaggeration?

[cpawstoney]

We should start a fyi if anyone knows of local establishments where the game will be carried. Not sure on espn plus running against the tourney who will have it on.

Call Martinos (513.221.8487) and ask them if they will have it on.

Sports Bar & Italian Restaurant | Martino's on Vine near UC (martinosonvine.com)

[fmirzamd]

Anyone know what number ESPN + channel is UC game? IPTV subscriber dont have program guide so have to go through all the channels to find the stream.

[BigDaddyCornHusker]

Some unintentional bulletin board material for Hofstra and its fans:

"Cincinnati's coming to Hofstra, that doesn't happen often," Bearcats head coach Wes Miller said. "That will be a really big game for their fans and their program. It will be a really good test for us. It will be like Northern Kentucky on steroids. We're going to have to show that we've improved a lot since the Northern Kentucky game."

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/spo...s/70016179007/

Maybe a bit of an exaggeration by Wes

Kenpom
Hofstra 86
NKU 157

For comparison Cincinnati is 53 and Virginia Tech was 81 (only slightly higher than Hofstra)

[coach]

We should start a fyi if anyone knows of local establishments where the game will be carried. Not sure on espn plus running against the tourney who will have it on.

[coach]

Some unintentional bulletin board material for Hofstra and its fans:

"Cincinnati's coming to Hofstra, that doesn't happen often," Bearcats head coach Wes Miller said. "That will be a really big game for their fans and their program. It will be a really good test for us. It will be like Northern Kentucky on steroids. We're going to have to show that we've improved a lot since the Northern Kentucky game."

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/spo...s/70016179007/

I don't think that's a slight at all. It's pretty accurate. If you read their fan forum they are pining for a sellout of a 5k arena which no bigger conference school would ever visit in the OOC. They only average about 2.5k fans per game.

[Lobot]

I am not sure what difference waiting until Monday to start versus today. That is only 2 working days and it is not like they will have any weather delays. I noticed that UC had the NIT logo on the court for last night's game. So, I am sure that this is more than just adding the Big 12 logo to the court. However, with the attendance at only 6,500 last night, I doubt that it was a money maker for UC. I would have liked to have another chance to see them play though and I do think that the home court gave them an advantage.

Apparently this was scheduled and delayed once already because of the VT game. After they sand down the floor and repaint and relacquer it, it has set for 90 days. It also has to be done by spring graduation ceremonies. They're out of time.

[GoBearcats31]

Some unintentional bulletin board material for Hofstra and its fans:

"Cincinnati's coming to Hofstra, that doesn't happen often," Bearcats head coach Wes Miller said. "That will be a really big game for their fans and their program. It will be a really good test for us. It will be like Northern Kentucky on steroids. We're going to have to show that we've improved a lot since the Northern Kentucky game."

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/spo...s/70016179007/

[bearcatbret]

I believe UC has a pre-scheduled/pre-contracted out floor resurfacing

I am not sure what difference waiting until Monday to start versus today. That is only 2 working days and it is not like they will have any weather delays. I noticed that UC had the NIT logo on the court for last night's game. So, I am sure that this is more than just adding the Big 12 logo to the court. However, with the attendance at only 6,500 last night, I doubt that it was a money maker for UC. I would have liked to have another chance to see them play though and I do think that the home court gave them an advantage.

[swilsonsp4]

The Pride are a guard-centric team. The leading scorers are all guards: Aaron Estrada, 6'3" RS SR; Tyler Thomas, 6'3" RS SR; Darlinstone Dubar, 6'8" SO. Estrada leads the trio at 20 ppg.

I've never seen them play, so I have no idea what they do to win games. Hofstra opened the season with wins at Princeton and at home over Iona, two NCAA Tourney teams. St. Mary's handled the Pride in November by 19 in Moraga. The sole common foes with UC were USF, who beat Hofstra in Tampa, 77-70.