Media Thread

[ProudofPride]

I'm starting a media thread since there have lately been several articles where Hofstra gets a mention, so they're worth seeing, but it's not necessarily worth having a new topic for each one, so I figured this could be a good place to just post any article that mentions a Hofstra sport.
Here are two that were posted yesterday.

Mention from Rothstein about how the CAA is wide open, and talk a little bit about how Hofstra will be a wild card. http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketb ... in-big-ten

NYC Buckets early all-CAA teams. They have Juan'ya Green on the first team, and Ameen Tanksley on the second team. http://www.nycbuckets.com/2014/07/early-caa-teams/

[HUSID80]

Hofstra has been picked fourth in this pre-season prognostication by Big Apple Buckets

http://www.nycbuckets.com/2014/08/early ... ment-76056

One glaring error though as they list Dion Nesmith as graduating.

[cactus]

that should bump them up

doesn't matter where they are ranked - they are good enough to compete for the conference championship this year

[Polito]

agreed, and I think so due to the new talent, the solid staff, and the state of the CAA - it's wide open

I see NU, W&M, CofC, and maybe one other (Drexel?) fighting for the top - but I'm fully expecting HU to be right in that top 3/4 mix

[cactus]

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/09/18/ ... ng-island/

[Polito]

really enjoyed that article - very excited for the future

interesting to read that note about Eliel potentially being a big part of the team - don't know a ton about him just yet, though he was a def talent in h.s. from what I've been able to find - has good size too - would love to see him be a legit CAA-ready guy who can jump right in and help out Dion - he's in a real good spot being able to play with and learn from a solid Sr, and he certainly has some shooters/scorers to dish to...

anyone able to go to a practice and give a report any time soon??

[stuball888]

First practice is Oct 6th. Will try to be there and give you a report, BTW_ Polito thanks for keeping your posts under 1000 words.

[cactus]

My guess is Juan'ya Green will start at PG. If I had to guess a lineup today it would be Green, Bernardi, Tanksley, Gustys, Kone, with Nesmith the first guy off the bench. But there's Robinson who started every game last year, and Nichols, Walker and Gonzalez. They only have 10 guys, but everyone can play.

[Polito]

You got it Stu! make sure you give all the details from 10/6... one post I want to see some meat to!

yes, everyone can play, and many can play more than one position - this is a highly interchangeable team - deep and talented = dangerous

with so many new faces, this will come down to how well they gel together and become a cohesive unit, and LEADERSHIP - I'll be looking for that from JM of course as he will need to mold his team, and from players Green, Dion, and one other who steps up into that role

funny, I haven't really thought of Green as a PG per say, though I know he is/can be as a talented combo guard - Dion proved to be a solid PG, I think his return is important for team stability - he played well last yr, and as a Sr, I would think he'll continue be on the floor leading the charge in some fashion

love the flexibility of this team, looking forward to seeing how it plays out and what they can produce as a team on the hardwood

[Cards]

Last year I simply walked into the Mack and watched practice one afternoon. not sure if that was a normal thing that could be done. Anyone know if practices can be viewed by anyone, and if yes, are practice times made public so we know when to show up?

I agree Polito - one paper this team looks to be extremely flexible....lots of potential combinations....we will see how many work out (but I am optimistic).

[HofstraHockey]

Well I don't think they'll be practicing there much with their big shiny new practice facility.

[stuball888]

Call up the day you want to see the practice. Talk to Clarice Smith who is the basketball sec for both mens and womens team. She will tell you the time and place of the practice and whether if it is an open or closed practice.

[Cards]

sounds good - thanks Stuball888

[ProudofPride]

Dan Hanner predicts the CAA to be the 9th ranked conference, and claims that Hofstra could be the preseason favorite. His only concern seems to be the lack of depth.
http://basketball.realgm.com/article/23 ... 5-The-Rest

[cactus]

Looks like this is poll time. Blue Ribbon picked them 3rd and Juan'ya Green an all-conference first teamer and "Newcomer of the year"

http://www.gohofstra.com/ViewArticle.db ... =209688646

[stuball888]

PoP that is the 9th ranked mid major conference.

[Polito]

I was in the bookstore yesterday and picked up Athlon's and Sporting News (I think) and one had HU 2 and one had HU 3...both with Green on all-caa 1st team, and newcomer of the yr

Looks like these guys have done some research on the new and improved version of HU bball, as well as the openness of the league - guess they won't be sneaking up on anyone! lol

different opinions on who else in the conf will be fighting for the top, but to me Northeastern (who I think should be the pre-season fav) and William & Mary should be pretty solid - I would throw Drexel in as a tough out as well

several CAA teams could be facing down/rebuilding times after losing a LOT - now is the time for HU to attack

the general analysis I'm seeing for HU in these previews seems on par - funny thing is, for the first time in who knows how long, I actually don't view depth as one of the main concerns - I think that has and continues to be addressed - the biggest question for this group is, how well they come together as a unit, and how soon

[cactus]

i agree guard depth is more than fine. big man depth is an issue though.

[Cards]

`Agreed Cactus. But I must say, that after landing two nice bigs last year, and then getting Djambo for next year, JM has shown he can get the job done. I feel confident (of course only based on what i've observed to date) that JM knows about the front line depth and will come through with other nice pick ups in the future (not for this year though).

[Polito]

true, there are not a TON of post guys per say, however, I'll counter that with the fact that HU has NEVER had 2 6'10+ guys on the roster at the same time - and NEVER have they had 2 3* post guys at once

plus they have an experienced solid sr in Kone, and who I believe can be an x-factor type guy in Nichols (can play 3-4 positions equally well) - Robinson is a talented player just scratching his potential who can/will be in there for smaller lineups

granted, never know with injuries, but it is what it is - that's always a concern for every team, every year...in every sport.


going forward I would like to see (and believe strongly they'll need) at least 1 more solid PF type guy in this next class