By Mike Rudin SPORTS EDITOR
Head coach of the Hofstra Pride womens basketball team, Krista Kilburn-Steveskey, recently released the schedule for the upcoming 2015-16 season. From the selection of teams in the non-conference section, to the invitational thatll take place as well as the standard match-up questions against within the Colonial Athletic Conference. This list is based on the most interesting aspects of the new schedule as well as the top priorities for the Pride.
In a top 10 fashion:
10. Outlook on the 2015 non-conference home games
Hofstras non-conference schedule splits up into four games, in two back-to-back intervals, at the Mack Sports Complex. The Pride will open up with their season opener against Navy followed up by their second game versus Stony Brook. Off the bat, the first two home games are meant to start the season off with a bang. Then, Hofstra returns to take on University of Buffalo followed by Saint Josephs University. According to NCAA RPI rankings, Buffalo (129th) is the weaker team compared to the Pride (100th), but Saint Josephs (87th) poses the biggest threat at home. Overall, Navy (197th), Stony Brook (193rd), then Buffalo and Saint Josephs follows a trend from the best chances to win, then drops with each following home game.
9. Fairfield used as Hofstras record booster
The Pride have built a successful track record against the Fairfield Stags, so why not keep that gravy train rolling and continue to compete against them. Theyre not the worst team overall theyll face as their NCAA RPI stands at 178th. But what makes them easy pickings for the Pride, Fairfield has lost to Hofstra 7-of-8 times in program history. The Prides most recent win over the Stags came last year by a 13-point margin, since Hofstras roster is relatively the same and will be riding their previous success, theyll be a thorn in Fairfields side again.
8. Decembers final three road games, the beginning transition into CAA play
Hofstra hits the road against University of Massachusetts, after that Marist College and then Delaware State University ends the non-conference schedule in December. This three-game road series stretches out over three weeks, thanks to an 11-day break due to finals and then a 10-day break between the last two games. The long intervals of rest can have its benefits as well as its setbacks. Hofstra will have ample time to physically rest any players, especially any injured. Yet, it can force the Pride to become rusty from the long periods of no competitive basketball. Then Hofstra will have to play one of their most bothersome conference opponents, University of Delaware, on four-days rest.
7. The 2015-16 season home opener
November 13th marks the day when the David S. Mack Sports Complex comes back to life with Hofstra basketball. The womens team acts as the opening act of a doubleheader with the mens season opener against Canisius College. The doubleheader is meant to boost viewership and fan base at the Mack. The reasoning behind it goes to create a larger event for both teams, which should combine the enthusiasm of seeing both season openers in one shot. Usually its a way to gather fans as possible, especially any fans that primarily watch the mens team but arrive early enough to catch the womens team.
6. Traveling down to the Nations Capital
This will be one of Hofstras most difficult challenges early in the season with their first road game against American University on November 19th. The Eagles are ranked 49th in RPI by the NCAA and finished last year as the top-dog of the Patriot league with a 24-9 record. The Eagles are the first opponent the Pride will face that are conference champions and made the NCAA tournament the previous season. This game will be a good indicator to gather first impressions on how the 2015-16 roster will handle teams at that level and thus prepare for James Madison, the current CAA champions.
5. The re-enactment of the Battle of Long Island
Hofstra is trying to create their own Battle of Long Island story since the mens team did last year and it ended in a 66-65 dramatic win and was one of the most highlighted victories that year. The first game of the season usually gathers the highest attendance rate for the entire season. Last year, proved that with the home opener had an audience of 2,208 people and, other than two instances, the rest of the regular season dropped to under 500 fans per game at the Mack. This matchup is meant to transition as much of that first audience at least into the second game.
4. Hofstras ability to compete against James Madison University
Hofstra made it to the 2015 CAA championship for the first time but lost the title and a spot in the NCAA to James Madison. Theyll still be one of the teams the Pride need to lookout for again during conference play. The Dukes remain one of the biggest threats in the CAA, especially with Precious Hall back for her senior year. Shes the best shooter overall and the third-best rebounder on the team. One benefit for the Pride is theyll play every other team in the CAA before going up against James Madison on February 5th, 2016.
3. San Juan Shootout: Hofstras getaway
The Pride usually are a part of at least one invitational within the regular season. Last year, the Pride hosted their own Thanksgiving Tournament. This time around, Hofstra will travel down internationally with Oregon State University and Coastal Carolina University to compete in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The two-day invitational, from November 27th-28th, starts with the hardest team the Pride will face all regular season and then one of the easiest teams all season long. Oregon ranked No. 20 according to the most recent AP poll and CCU is ranked 333th in the NCAA RPI.
2. Hardest matchup of the season: Oregon University.
Hofstra will have the highest mountain to climb, facing No. 20 Oregon University on the first day of the San Juan Shootout invitational. Other than the fact theyre a nationally-ranked team, the Oregon Beavers were the 2015 Pac-12 champions last year and were ranked No. 3 in the Spokane bracket of the NCAA tournament. The Beavers advanced into the second round until No. 11 Gonzaga provided the upset. But theyre a team that finished only four losses in total last season and the Pride will be in for a rough time. Plus, the only noticeable departure for the Beavers is Ali Gibson not returning, she led the team in steals, other than that the entire core will be back and will be a torn in the Prides side when the time comes.
1. If Hofstra breaks the curse against University of Delaware for good
Hofstra completed something that hasnt been accomplished since the 2010-11 season, defeating the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens. Last year, Hofstra lost to Delaware twice in the regular season that extended their losing streak to nine consecutive games, spanning over four seasons. But the Pride finally snapped that the curse and one their first CAA semi-finals game in program history. Now, will the Pride make the curse disappear for good or will Delaware rebound and become Hofstras Achelous heel again in the season. This year will truly be the test if the Pride have gotten over their troubled past with the Fightin Blue Hens. One problem, former Pride player Elo Edeferioka transferred to Georgia Institute of Technology. She laid down the foundation and spark, by putting up 16 rebounds and 12 points, to help Hofstra overcome Delaware in the first place. Without her now, the main question will be if they can defeat Delaware again without their former center.
