Hofstra Embraces Underdog Role Against Alabama in March Madness

No. 13 Hofstra ready to take on No. 4 Alabama in first NCAA Tournament appearance in 25 years

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:09am

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No. 13 Hofstra is set to face off against No. 4 Alabama in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, marking the Pride's first March Madness appearance in a quarter century. Despite the Crimson Tide's storied program, Hofstra players and coach Speedy Claxton are embracing the underdog role and believe they can pull off the upset.

Why it matters

Hofstra's return to the NCAA Tournament after a 25-year drought is a major milestone for the program, which has struggled to find consistent success in recent decades. The Pride's ability to take down a powerhouse like Alabama would cement their status as an emerging mid-major force and provide a huge boost of momentum heading into the offseason.

The details

Hofstra, led by CAA Player of the Year Cruz Davis and freshman standout Preston Edmead, earned an at-large bid to the tournament after a 24-10 regular season. The Pride have already proven they can take down ACC opponents this year, downing Pittsburgh and Syracuse. Now they'll look to do the same against an Alabama squad led by star guard Labaron Philon Jr., who averages 22.7 points per game.

  • Hofstra will face Alabama on Friday, March 21, 2026 in Tampa, Florida.

The players

Speedy Claxton

Hofstra's head coach, who played on the school's 2000 NCAA Tournament team under Jay Wright and won an NBA championship with the Spurs in 2003.

Cruz Davis

Hofstra's junior guard and the Coastal Athletic Association Player of the Year, who has focused on becoming a more vocal leader this season.

Preston Edmead

Hofstra's freshman guard, who is ready to show Alabama what the Pride are made of after earning big wins over ACC opponents this season.

Labaron Philon Jr.

Alabama's star guard, who averages 22.7 points per game and will be a key player for the Crimson Tide.

Aaron Estrada

A former Hofstra player who transferred to Alabama for the 2023-24 season, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup.

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What they’re saying

“The opponent didn't matter. Just finally seeing our name come up on that board, and just knowing who we're going to play and that we're going to play, all that anxiousness finally came off.”

— Cruz Davis, Junior Guard

“Big names don't mean anything. We both tie our shoes the same way.”

— Preston Edmead, Freshman Guard

“This cements my legacy here at Hofstra.”

— Speedy Claxton, Head Coach

What’s next

The winner of the Hofstra-Alabama matchup will advance to face the winner of the game between No. 5 San Diego State and No. 12 Vermont in the second round.

The takeaway

Hofstra's return to the NCAA Tournament after a 25-year drought is a testament to the program's resilience and the belief instilled by coach Speedy Claxton. While Alabama may be the higher-ranked team, the Pride have proven they can take down power conference opponents and are ready to embrace the underdog role and pull off the upset.