By Nick Mazzarella – STAFF WRITER

Being a part of a packed-out and energetic student section is one of the most exciting parts of attending a college basketball game, but Hofstra students wouldn’t know that.

While a rowdy student section is a given at most power conference schools and certain mid-majors, it’s not rare for The Lion’s Den – Hofstra’s student section – to have more empty seats than occupied ones.

And the players know that.

Before transferring to Hofstra, senior men’s basketball guard Juan’ya Green played for two years at Niagara University, where the number of undergraduate students is about 3,300 – less than half of Hofstra’s undergraduate enrollment. But despite his former school’s size compared to Hofstra’s, Green said he received more student support during his time as a Purple Eagle.

“It kind of hurts a little bit,” said Green. “We need the crowd to get into it to help us out when we’re losing games or having a tough lapse.”

But Green hasn’t forgotten about the few times he’s played in front of a loud Hofstra student body. When asked which games featured a memorable student section, Green thought back to when the Pride hosted Stony Brook and Northeastern.

He didn’t waste a rare chance to impress a filled student section. He poured in 22 points versus Stony Brook and recorded a double-double – 18 points and 10 assists – against Northeastern.

“When students are there for the games, we do a great job,” said Green.

So what’s behind students’ lack of support for Hofstra hoops? Is it because Hofstra isn’t Kentucky or Duke or North Carolina, or is it because they don’t care about the sport?

“I think some of it has to do with them just not being interested in basketball,” Green said.

For those who’ve never attended a Hofstra basketball game, now’s a good time to start. It’s almost guaranteed that the men will be favored to win the CAA, and the women lost just one player from last year’s team that advanced to the conference championship game.

“Games should be fun,” Green said. “I think students will have a great time not only watching the game, but also being in that great environment around everybody.”

While watching college basketball games on TV, the likely CAA Preseason Player of the Year can’t help but envy the teams that consistently play in front of a roaring student body.

“I always wish we had a big student section to back us up,” said Green.

Hofstra students’ first chance to grant Green’s wish will be on Friday, Nov. 13, when both the men’s and women’s basketball teams kick off their 2015-16 seasons. The women will tip off versus Navy at 5 p.m., and the men will square off against Canisius following the conclusion of the women’s game.