Life on the road is nothing new for the Hofstra men?s basketball team. The Pride have already played at Louisville, Richmond and Tulane this season.
But this road swing for Hofstra is a little different. A weather issue forced the team to reschedule a game with SMU in the nonconference season. After playing at UNCW on Wednesday, Hofstra heads to Dallas for a Sunday game with the Mustangs.
?In general now, it?s about an opportunity to get better. I don?t want to start sounding like a coach, but it?s an opportunity to get better,? Hofstra coach Joe Mihalich said.
The Pride (5-11 overall, 1-1 Colonial Athletic Association) come into Wednesday?s conference game trying to do something they haven?t been able to accomplish all season ? win back-to-back games.
A win against the Seahawks would put Hofstra at 2-1 in league play, sending the team to Dallas with a lot of confidence.
Mihalich noted during Tuesday?s CAA conference call that nonconference games are a chance for teams to get improve a certain skill set. When the Pride played Louisville, Mihalich said it was an opportunity for his team to face off against some high quality guards. That prepared Hofstra for its game with Delaware.
Sunday?s game should be no different.
?It?s going to help us get ready for some other really good players and really good teams in this league,? Mihalich said. ?Nonconference play, you sharpen your teeth for conference play and that?s what we?re going to do with that game is go down there and do all we can to win the game but know that no matter what it?s going to us ready for CAA games.?
Eatherton continues dominating start to season
When Northeastern coach Bill Coen was asked if Scott Eatherton would or should be in consideration for CAA player of the year, he said he would be in the running if he continues to play like he has.
But Coen thinks Eatherton isn?t done getting better.
?I think as well as he has played, he?s got another level or two in his game. He made a couple 3s last night. I think he?s got the ability,? Coen said.
?There?s so many things he can get better at, and will get better at. For him, it?s just about constant improvement.?
Coen believes Eatherton can make his midrange game better. He notes the junior hit a pair of 3-pointers against the College of Charleston on Monday. He finished that game with 19 points and 16 rebounds, his 12th double-double of the season. He leads the NCAA in that category.
Hometown feel
In the first full week of CAA play, the home team was the big winner. In eight games, the home squads combined to go 7-1. The only loss was when Delaware earned a road win at James Madison. For the season, CAA home teams are 7-2 overall. The other loss was when UNCW fell to JMU in the first conference game of the year.
Quotable
?It?s not a sightseeing trip.? ? College of Charleston coach Doug Wojcik on his team?s recent road trek to Hofstra and Northeastern.
Other injuries
JMU coach Matt Brady said that even though Charles Cooke has not practice much this week, he hoped to have him for Wednesday?s game against Northeastern. Cooke is battling an ankle injury. ? Delaware?s Carl Baptiste also didn?t practice on Monday and won?t practice Tuesday. He is a game time decision for the William & Mary game. ? William & Mary?s Tim Rusthoven is ?closet to 100 percent? according to Tony Shaver. He?s simply trying to get back up to game speed.
But this road swing for Hofstra is a little different. A weather issue forced the team to reschedule a game with SMU in the nonconference season. After playing at UNCW on Wednesday, Hofstra heads to Dallas for a Sunday game with the Mustangs.
?In general now, it?s about an opportunity to get better. I don?t want to start sounding like a coach, but it?s an opportunity to get better,? Hofstra coach Joe Mihalich said.
The Pride (5-11 overall, 1-1 Colonial Athletic Association) come into Wednesday?s conference game trying to do something they haven?t been able to accomplish all season ? win back-to-back games.
A win against the Seahawks would put Hofstra at 2-1 in league play, sending the team to Dallas with a lot of confidence.
Mihalich noted during Tuesday?s CAA conference call that nonconference games are a chance for teams to get improve a certain skill set. When the Pride played Louisville, Mihalich said it was an opportunity for his team to face off against some high quality guards. That prepared Hofstra for its game with Delaware.
Sunday?s game should be no different.
?It?s going to help us get ready for some other really good players and really good teams in this league,? Mihalich said. ?Nonconference play, you sharpen your teeth for conference play and that?s what we?re going to do with that game is go down there and do all we can to win the game but know that no matter what it?s going to us ready for CAA games.?
Eatherton continues dominating start to season
When Northeastern coach Bill Coen was asked if Scott Eatherton would or should be in consideration for CAA player of the year, he said he would be in the running if he continues to play like he has.
But Coen thinks Eatherton isn?t done getting better.
?I think as well as he has played, he?s got another level or two in his game. He made a couple 3s last night. I think he?s got the ability,? Coen said.
?There?s so many things he can get better at, and will get better at. For him, it?s just about constant improvement.?
Coen believes Eatherton can make his midrange game better. He notes the junior hit a pair of 3-pointers against the College of Charleston on Monday. He finished that game with 19 points and 16 rebounds, his 12th double-double of the season. He leads the NCAA in that category.
Hometown feel
In the first full week of CAA play, the home team was the big winner. In eight games, the home squads combined to go 7-1. The only loss was when Delaware earned a road win at James Madison. For the season, CAA home teams are 7-2 overall. The other loss was when UNCW fell to JMU in the first conference game of the year.
Quotable
?It?s not a sightseeing trip.? ? College of Charleston coach Doug Wojcik on his team?s recent road trek to Hofstra and Northeastern.
Other injuries
JMU coach Matt Brady said that even though Charles Cooke has not practice much this week, he hoped to have him for Wednesday?s game against Northeastern. Cooke is battling an ankle injury. ? Delaware?s Carl Baptiste also didn?t practice on Monday and won?t practice Tuesday. He is a game time decision for the William & Mary game. ? William & Mary?s Tim Rusthoven is ?closet to 100 percent? according to Tony Shaver. He?s simply trying to get back up to game speed.
