The Hofstra University Pride men’s basketball team will travel to the Provident Credit Union Event Center to play the San Jose State University Spartans on Thursday, Nov. 17, with both teams will be looking to remain undefeated early this season.

The Pride are coming off a shootout win against George Washington University, 85-80, on Monday that saw star redshirt senior Aaron Estrada score a season-high of 33 points while hitting six threes to take down the Colonials. Hofstra shot 50% from the floor and 53% from downtown in the victory.

 The Pride has centered its offense around the three-point shot early this season, shooting 49% from long range and have not shot less than 40% in any of their three games so far.

San Jose State is coming off a dominant 70-57 victory on Tuesday against Alabama State University (ASU). Center Ibrahima Diallo registered eight blocks in the contest and could pose a threat to undersized Pride.. Junior Omari Moore leads the Spartans in scoring, averaging 15 points per game, and tallied 19  in the game against ASU. Sophomore Alvaro Cardenas was right behind him with 17 himself, as the tandem has been a  1-2 punch for the Spartans to start the season.

While the Spartans have cruised to their 3-0 start, Hofstra’s early undefeated streak has required a lot more effort, with each of the Pride’s wins being decided in the final minute.

These teams use different tactics to put points on the board. Hofstra’s three-point shooting has helped them reach the 80-point threshold in each of their t games and can swing any matchup if Estrada and company can get hot from beyond the arc. The Spartans, however, score in the paint and have registered 130 points as opposed to the Pride’s 84.

This trip out west starts a nine-game road trip for the Pride. They have played the Spartans just one time, losing 79-71 on Nov. 6, 2019.

Photo Courtesy of Alexis Friedman/The Hofstra Chronicle