The Charleston Cougars, with a 16-9 overall record and a 9-3 mark in the CAA, welcome the Hofstra Pride, who also stand at 16-9 overall and 7-5 in conference play, to the TD Arena on February 12. This matchup holds real consequences for both teams' tournament hopes, as Charleston currently sits at a NET ranking of 174, while Hofstra boasts a NET ranking of 105. With Charleston's quad record standing at 0-1 in Quad 1, 1-3 in Quad 2, 4-4 in Quad 3, and 10-1 in Quad 4 games, a win against Hofstra, who has a quad record of 1-1 in Quad 1, 1-1 in Quad 2, 5-4 in Quad 3, and 7-3 in Quad 4 games, would be a substantial boost to their resume.
Charleston Cougars' 3-Point Shooting Percentage of 34.2% Could Be the Deciding Factor
The game is scheduled to take place on February 12, at the TD Arena, with tip-off at a time to be determined, and will be broadcast on a channel to be announced. Fans can also stream the game through various online platforms, with details to be released closer to the game date.
The Charleston Cougars have been on a tear lately, with a recent form of L-W-W-W-W, indicating a strong 4-1 record over their last five games. Their 9-3 conference record is a reflection of their strength within the CAA, and they want to continue this momentum against the Hofstra Pride. With an average of 74.5 points per game, the Cougars have shown they can score, but their defense, which allows 72.1 points per game, will be put to the test against Hofstra's potent offense. Charleston's NET ranking of 174 and quad record of 0-1 in Quad 1, 1-3 in Quad 2, 4-4 in Quad 3, and 10-1 in Quad 4 games, indicate that they need quality wins to build a stronger tournament resume.
Key Matchups
The Hofstra Pride, with their 16-9 overall record and 7-5 conference mark, have been inconsistent of late, with a recent form of W-W-W-L-L, showing a 3-2 record over their last five games. Their NET ranking of 105 is significantly higher than Charleston's, and they want to capitalize on this advantage to secure a crucial road win. Hofstra's offense, which averages 76.2 points per game, will face a stiff test against Charleston's defense, which has allowed just 65.5 points per game over their last five contests. The Pride's quad record of 1-1 in Quad 1, 1-1 in Quad 2, 5-4 in Quad 3, and 7-3 in Quad 4 games, demonstrates their ability to compete against stronger opponents, and a win against Charleston would further bolster their tournament hopes.
CHD Scout Prediction
Hofstra
78
Charleston
71
This matchup will be a battle of contrasting styles, as Charleston's methodical pace, which averages 66.5 possessions per game, clashes with Hofstra's more uptempo offense, which averages 71.1 possessions per game. The Cougars want to exploit Hofstra's defense, which allows 73.5 points per game, while the Pride will aim to outscore Charleston's offense, which averages 74.5 points per game. With Charleston's 3-point shooting percentage of 34.2% and Hofstra's 3-point defense allowing 33.1% from beyond the arc, this matchup could be decided by which team can better capitalize on their outside shooting opportunities. The CHD Scout prediction favors Hofstra by 7.9 points, with Charleston having a 24.9% win probability, indicating a closely contested game.
For Charleston, guard Ryan Larson has been on a hot streak, averaging 15.5 points per game over his last five contests, while shooting 42.1% from 3-point range. Meanwhile, forward Babacar Faye has been a force in the paint, averaging 12.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. For Hofstra, guard Aaron Estrada has been the team's leading scorer, averaging 18.5 points per game, while shooting 40.5% from the field. Forward Tyler Thomas has also been a key contributor, averaging 14.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 38.5% from 3-point range.
Tournament Stakes
The CHD Scout prediction favors Hofstra by 7.9 points, with Charleston having a 24.9% win probability. This prediction is based on the teams' respective strengths and weaknesses, as well as their recent form and statistical trends. With Hofstra's potent offense and Charleston's stingy defense, this game is expected to be a closely contested, low-scoring affair.
A win for either team would be a significant boost to their tournament resume, as both Charleston and Hofstra are currently on the bubble. For Charleston, a win would improve their quad record and provide a much-needed quality win, while for Hofstra, a win would solidify their position in the CAA standings and enhance their tournament chances. With the CAA tournament just around the corner, this matchup takes on added importance, as both teams look to secure a strong seed and make a deep run in the conference tournament.