When Delaware lost 71-58 at Hofstra on Jan. 5, the Pride appeared capable of becoming the team to beat in Colonial Athletic Association men's basketball.
Two more wins, giving Hofstra a 4-0 start, lent credence to that notion.
Now, as the second half of the league schedule heats up, Hofstra comes to Delaware for Wednesday's rematch trying to regain its momentum after losing three straight and five of six.
Delaware (5-16 overall, 4-6 CAA) and Hofstra (14-9, 5-5) find themselves fighting to stay out of the league's bottom four in the 7 p.m. encounter at the Carpenter Center.
"We're doing a lot of little things wrong right now," said Hofstra coach Joe Mihalich, who would likely include the 186 points allowed in losses to William & Mary and Towson the last two games.
With a proven backcourt, Hofstra still ranks 11th nationally with 9.1 three-pointers per game and 17th with 78.4 points per game, demonstrating the defensive challenge facing Delaware.
Juan'ya Green (17.5 ppg) has scored in double figures in every game for Hofstra and also leads the CAA in assists (6.3 per game). Ameen Tanksley is also averaging 17.5 ppg with a 46.8 3-point rate and Brian Bernardi is at 12.3 ppg with 43.9 3-point aim.
"When we play well," Mihalich said, "we are a good team."
Though Hofstra hasn't been so good lately, it's still an immense challenge for Delaware. Seven of the Hens' last eight games have been decided by six points or less.
"Defensively, we have not played as well as I would like us to play," said Delaware coach Monte Ross, whose team has had an offensive resurgence. "But that's what excites me about this stretch run ? it's much easier in my opinion to become better defensively than to become better offensively.
"If guys are getting good shots and not making them, there's not a whole lot you can do. Defensively, in terms of being in the right place, in terms of help, hedging ball screens, sticking to the game plan, that's something we can get better at.''
Two more wins, giving Hofstra a 4-0 start, lent credence to that notion.
Now, as the second half of the league schedule heats up, Hofstra comes to Delaware for Wednesday's rematch trying to regain its momentum after losing three straight and five of six.
Delaware (5-16 overall, 4-6 CAA) and Hofstra (14-9, 5-5) find themselves fighting to stay out of the league's bottom four in the 7 p.m. encounter at the Carpenter Center.
"We're doing a lot of little things wrong right now," said Hofstra coach Joe Mihalich, who would likely include the 186 points allowed in losses to William & Mary and Towson the last two games.
With a proven backcourt, Hofstra still ranks 11th nationally with 9.1 three-pointers per game and 17th with 78.4 points per game, demonstrating the defensive challenge facing Delaware.
Juan'ya Green (17.5 ppg) has scored in double figures in every game for Hofstra and also leads the CAA in assists (6.3 per game). Ameen Tanksley is also averaging 17.5 ppg with a 46.8 3-point rate and Brian Bernardi is at 12.3 ppg with 43.9 3-point aim.
"When we play well," Mihalich said, "we are a good team."
Though Hofstra hasn't been so good lately, it's still an immense challenge for Delaware. Seven of the Hens' last eight games have been decided by six points or less.
"Defensively, we have not played as well as I would like us to play," said Delaware coach Monte Ross, whose team has had an offensive resurgence. "But that's what excites me about this stretch run ? it's much easier in my opinion to become better defensively than to become better offensively.
"If guys are getting good shots and not making them, there's not a whole lot you can do. Defensively, in terms of being in the right place, in terms of help, hedging ball screens, sticking to the game plan, that's something we can get better at.''
