OUTLOOK First round: Lost to Oklahoma State, 86-66
Hofstra is the most dangerous No. 14 seed in the tournament. The reason is that the Flying Dutchmen have two quality players: Craig "Speedy" Claxton and Norman Richardson.
Claxton is one of the special players in the tournament. He could easily be playing at St. John's or another big school. Hofstra recruited him early, and he committed and stuck with them. He is a signature recruit for that program. They ought to name the building after him.
Claxton is extraordinarily good with the ball. The Flying Dutchmen use a lot of ball screens for him. He used to just explode to the basket and jump over people. Now, he is pulling up and hitting jump shots. He is dangerous. He scored 31 points against St. John's this season, and played in high school with Red Storm point guard Erick Barkley.
Richardson is very good scorer, a slender swingman. He runs the court, can finish at the basket, and can hit the three-point shot. He scored 26 points in the America East tournament final.
Hofstra must get out to a great start against Oklahoma State and score. Because the Cowboys are a good defensive team, the Flying Dutchmen have to play a wide-open style. If they can score in transition and hit from outside, the Flying Dutchmen have a shot. -- Jay Bilas, ESPN
ROSTER
PROBABLE STARTERS |
F -- Norman Richardson (6-5, Jr., 16.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.2 apg)
F -- Roberto Gittens (6-7, Jr., 8.4, 6.8, 0.8)
C -- Greg Springfield (6-9, Jr., 4.1, 6.2, 0.3)
G -- Craig "Speedy" Claxton (5-11, Sr., 22.9, 5.5, 6.0)
G -- Jason Hernandez (6-0 Jr., 9.5, 1.7, 2.5)
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TOP RESERVES |
G -- Rick Apodaca (6-3 Fr., 7.3, 2.2, 1.5)
F -- Danny Walker (6-6 Fr., 3.7, 2.0, 0.3)
F -- Abdou Sylla (6-8 Jr., 3.1 4.3 0.5)
C -- Lars Grubler (6-11 Fr., 2.0, 3.8, 0.0)
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NOTABLE
Seed, Region and Bid: 14, East, Automatic
Total NCAA Tournament Bids: 3
NCAA Tournament Record: 0-2 (.000)
Final Four Appearances: 0
NCAA Tournament Championships: 0
Best NCAA Tournament Finish: First round (1977, 1976)
Final ESPN/USA Today ranking: NR
Final Associated Press ranking: NR
Final Ratings Percentage Index: 54
Final Sagarin Computer Ranking: 74
RECORD VS. RANKED TEAMS (0-2)
Dec. 7 -- Lost to Vanderbilt, 74-46
Dec. 22 -- Lost to St. John's, 98-86
(Opponents ranking reflects ranking on game day)
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Overall record: 0-2 (.000)
1977 -- East Region
Lost to Notre Dame in first round, 90-83
1976 -- East Region
Lost to Connecticut in first round, 80-78 (OT)
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