By Alana Pelosi
After a promising season debut at the Charleston Classic this past weekend, the men's basketball team takes the court at Mack Sports Complex on Monday. Best of all, everyone is cordially invited to attend. On behalf of Coach Pecora and his players, it is bound to be a good show.
Some of the skeptics out there may be hesitant as to how spend Monday night. After last season's less-than-stellar 8-12 record, some fans may even be hanging their heads. The good news is that the Pride welcomes back 10 letter winners. Even better is that of those returning, four them (Greg Johnson, Charles Jenkins, Darren Townes and Dane Johnson) are returning starters. No excuses like "I have to write a paper," or "I have to go to the bar;" that's all nonsense. Go out there and do the college thing to do and support your team.
If there is one thing Hofstra needs, it is a wee bit of fandom. We may not pack the football stadium, but basketball is our thing. Although it has not come about since 2001, every now and the Pride even scores and invitation to the dance. Students love to complain about the tuition price, but if you are going to pay it, you might as well make the most of it and show some spirit.
One of the perks of being a Hofstra student is that admission is free, and who does not love free stuff? At some games, you even score free t-shirts! So UCLA has won 11 national titles and well, Hofstra has not, but that does not mean there can't be as many obnoxious, spit-on-the-other-team, curse-at-the-refs, loose-your-voice fans.
Another thing going for the Pride is that at after two consecutive victories, they have a bit of momentum going. Also, after a 71-68 overtime win over Western Michigan and a 76-75 win over East Tennessee State, the team is on track to have a couple of nail-bitters. Leading the way is sophomore Charles Jenkins, who is averaging 23.3 points per game. After a stellar performance in the Charleston Classic in which he scored a career-high 31 points against ETSU, Jenkins nabbed CAA player-of-the week honors. Adding to the offense is the Pride's newest starter is junior-college transfer Cornelius Vines, who is currently leading the team in three-pointers (7) and is second to Jenkins in both points (37) and ppg (12.3).
That being said, there is little reason not to throw on your blue and yellow, throw on your jacket, and brave the five minute walk to the Arena at 7 p.m. to watch the Pride take on SUNY Old Westbury.