Hofstra Men’s Basketball: A Look Ahead to the Cathedral Classic
Author: Stephen Gorchov
As the Hofstra men’s basketball team eyes their upcoming slate of games in Pennsylvania this weekend, excitement is in the air. The Pride will participate in the Cathedral Classic at The Palestra in Philadelphia, testing their mettle against three competitive opponents. For fans and followers, this is a pivotal moment in the season.
Schedule and Broadcast Information
The Cathedral Classic schedule features three matchups, each taking place at 2 p.m., starting with Hofstra against La Salle on Friday. This will be followed by a showdown with Merrimack at the same time on Saturday, culminating in a face-off against Penn on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Basketball enthusiasts can catch all the action live on ESPN+, while the audio-only broadcast will be available through WRHU on the HAWC. Links to live statistics and broadcasts are readily accessible on GoHofstra.com.
Hofstra’s Recent Performance
Heading into this weekend’s competition, the Hofstra Pride carries a record of 2-3. Their last outing was a challenging game against Temple, where they narrowly fell short with a score of 81-76. Notable performances came from Cruz Davis, who scored an impressive 25 points, while Biggie Patterson and Joshua DeCady added 17 and 13 points, respectively. Despite the setback, the team aims to capitalize on their momentum moving forward.
Opponent Overview
The competition at the Cathedral Classic is formidable. La Salle holds a 3-3 record this season, recently securing a commanding win against Lancaster Bible with a score of 75-46. Merrimack, on the other hand, is 2-4, with their latest game resulting in an 80-45 loss to the tenth-ranked Florida team. Penn comes in at 3-2, having earned a solid victory over Drexel, scoring 84-68 last Friday. Clearly, each opponent brings unique challenges, and Hofstra will need to be at their best.
Historical Context: Hofstra vs. La Salle
The match against La Salle is particularly noteworthy, as it marks the 22nd meeting between the two teams, with the Explorers holding a slight edge in the series at 15-6. The Pride will take confidence from their last encounter, a thrilling 84-80 victory back in December 2015. That game was significant, marking Coach Joe Mihalich’s 300th career win as a head coach. With a history painted with ups and downs, this matchup promises to be both exciting and competitive.
Revisiting Old Rivalries: Merrimack and Penn
Hofstra’s second game of the weekend against Merrimack will be the first encounter in over four decades, with the all-time series tied at 1-1. Their last meeting during the 1977-78 season adds an element of intrigue. The final game of the Cathedral Classic against Penn will also be a historical encounter; this matchup is tied at 1-1, last seeing action in December 1998 when Hofstra clinched a 67-62 victory during the ECAC Holiday Festival.
As Hofstra gears up for the Cathedral Classic, fans and players alike are eager to see how this seasoned squad can navigate the challenges of each game. The implications of this weekend stretch beyond just wins and losses; they hold the key to building momentum as the season progresses. The combination of historical rivalries, significant matchups, and a chance for redemption after recent losses makes this weekend one to watch for all college basketball aficionados.