Preview: Hofstra's big game stretch continues with rematch against Towson

The Hofstra University Pride and the Towson University Tigers are two schools entering this Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) collision with identical 8-2 conference records, both playing their best basketball of the season thus far. The Tigers have won six consecutive games, while Hofstra has triumphed in seven of their last eight. Just a few days ago, it would have been foolish to assume that anybody other than the College of Charleston had a chance at claiming the conference title, but Hofstra’s stunning upset victory over the Cougars has broken the conference wide open, and the title is now anyone’s to win. The winner of Thursday’s marquee matchup will claim sole possession of second place in the conference and be just one game back of first in the standings.

The Hofstra offense has been nothing short of electric with stellar ball movement and timely shooting to carry the Pride to in second half resurgence. Since the beginning of conference play, Hofstra ranks first among CAA teams and third nationally in field goal percentage, while also leading the CAA in offensive efficiency. Even more impressively, the Pride turns the ball over at the lowest rate in the conference while also assisting on over half of their made field goals.

Aaron Estrada has been at the forefront of this offensive renaissance with a conference-leading 21.3 points per game on a career-high 51% shooting. Estrada has seemingly willed the Hofstra offense back to life in recent weeks, most notably with a career-best 40-point performance in an 82-65 victory over the Elon University Phoenix. With that being said, the efforts of Hofstra’s supporting cast during this winning streak cannot be understated, as Darlinstone Dubar, Tyler Thomas and Jaquan Carlos all scored in double figures in the upset win over Charleston.

As impressive as Hofstra’s recent run of success has been, the Tigers were simply the better team in every aspect of the game the last time these two schools met on Jan. 16. Towson throttled the Pride 68-47 and held Hofstra's red-hot offense to their lowest scoring total of the season in what Hofstra head coach Speedy Claxton simply chalked up to “a cold shooting night.”

The Tigers completely put a lid on Estrada, holding the Hofstra star to a season-low ten points and an 0/10 mark from 3-point range. Hofstra has now lost three straight games against their conference rivals, and there is no better time to snap that streak than Thursday night with everything on the line.

Tip-off from the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex is set for 7 p.m on Feb. 2. The radio-only broadcast will be available on 88.7 FM WRHU.

Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics