Push last night so starting over today with:
Hofstra +4.5
If you just looked at Hofstra's record from last year (8-21), this looks like a terrible team. But if you look past the numbers, you'll see a lot of factors which contributed to that terrible season last year. Two starters were suspended for the first 14 games of the season, then were stuck back into the lineup for the second half. Forward Danny Walker was out all season with an inury, and, in fact, I believe Hofstra players missed over 100 games last year due to injury/suspension, so they never had the whole team available for practices or games. This year, they lose their top scorer to graduation, but the other 4 starters plus Walker are back, healthy and drug-free as far as I can tell. One advantage to all the injuries last year is that Hofstra has 5 other players returning who saw game action last year, in addition to the 5 starters above. They also have some solid freshmen coming in this year as well. Tons of players for the coach to work with this year.
Marist had a mediocre season last year, and lost 3 starters, including their top two scorers, to graduation. Young and Ellerbee had solid seasons as starters, and there are 3 reserves from last year who played decent minutes, but after that, everybody else is new and unproven. Every substitution going into the game tonight will be playing his first for this team, and I think they will struggle with chemistry whenever any of the starters takes a break.
I think Hofstra has a deeper, more experienced team, with better players/athletes, so I'll gladly take the points. Good luck.
Hofstra +4.5
If you just looked at Hofstra's record from last year (8-21), this looks like a terrible team. But if you look past the numbers, you'll see a lot of factors which contributed to that terrible season last year. Two starters were suspended for the first 14 games of the season, then were stuck back into the lineup for the second half. Forward Danny Walker was out all season with an inury, and, in fact, I believe Hofstra players missed over 100 games last year due to injury/suspension, so they never had the whole team available for practices or games. This year, they lose their top scorer to graduation, but the other 4 starters plus Walker are back, healthy and drug-free as far as I can tell. One advantage to all the injuries last year is that Hofstra has 5 other players returning who saw game action last year, in addition to the 5 starters above. They also have some solid freshmen coming in this year as well. Tons of players for the coach to work with this year.
Marist had a mediocre season last year, and lost 3 starters, including their top two scorers, to graduation. Young and Ellerbee had solid seasons as starters, and there are 3 reserves from last year who played decent minutes, but after that, everybody else is new and unproven. Every substitution going into the game tonight will be playing his first for this team, and I think they will struggle with chemistry whenever any of the starters takes a break.
I think Hofstra has a deeper, more experienced team, with better players/athletes, so I'll gladly take the points. Good luck.
