Hofstra Pride
2012-13: 7-25 (4-14)
In-conference offense: 0.90 points per possession (11th)
In-conference defense: 1.00 points per possession (3rd)
When a team wins a total of just seven conference games over two years, change is probably a good thing. Change is certainly the theme this season for Hofstra, which will have an abundance of new players to go along with new head coach Joe Mihalich (formerly of Niagara).
Mihalich plays at a faster pace than his predecessor -- Mo Casserra -- but he doesn't see the transition to a more uptempo style of play as an issue. Why? Because most of Cassera's players are gone. Mihalich certainly doesn't have any plans of slowing down the tempo at Hofstra: "I always like to try to play fast," he said. "It is a fun way to play. A fun style to watch. A fun style to coach."
Projected starting lineup
| Pos. | Name | Year |
|---|
|
C |
Moussa Kone |
Jr. |
|
F |
Jordan Allen |
So. |
|
F |
Zeke Upshaw |
Sr. |
|
G |
Dion Nesmith |
Sr. |
|
G |
Eliel Gonzalez |
Fr. |
If the new coach has his way, the Pride should be playing about 69 possessions a game this season, which would make them easily the fastest in a typically slow CAA. That's almost five possessions per game faster than Hofstra played in 2012-13.
High-possession teams are generally associated with attacking styles on both ends of the floor, leading to high turnover rates. That was true on defense for Michalich's last two Niagara teams, which were among the nation's best in forcing turnovers.
The opposite is true on offense for Mihalich, as his teams have been notoriously stingy with the ball. Niagara gave the ball away just 16 percent of the time last season.
Whether that translates to Hofstra will be the key question. The Pride will rely on two graduate transfers -- Zeke Upshaw from Illinois State and Dion Nesmith from Monmouth -- to provide steady hands in the backcourt, while hoping that rebounding specialist Stephen Nwaukoni (24 defensive rebounding percentage) can get the break started in the frontcourt.
Nwaukoni will split time with Moussa Kone, who is better equipped to run the floor. Setting everyone up will be true freshman point guard Eliel Gonzalez.
There may be talent on the roster, but there are a lot of "ifs" for Hofstra this season. It will be rough going for Mihalich in his first season with the Pride as the team comes together. Hofstra is likely headed towards the bottom of the CAA again.
Projected 2013-14 conference finish: 9th
