Hofstra Pride Earn 5th NCAA Tournament Bid

The mid-major program from Long Island looks to capture its first March Madness win.

Mar. 20, 2026 at 9:20am

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After a 24-10 season and a Coastal Athletic Association title, the Hofstra University Pride is headed to the 2026 NCAA Tournament as a No. 13 seed, where they will face No. 4 Alabama in the Round of 64. This will be the school's fifth trip to March Madness, but the Pride is still vying for its first tournament win.

Why it matters

Hofstra University, a private research university located in Hempstead, New York, is not a household name, but its basketball program has quietly built a strong mid-major resume over the years. The Pride's return to the NCAA Tournament shines a spotlight on the school and its basketball program, which is seeking to break through and capture its first March Madness victory.

The details

Hofstra University was founded in 1935 as an extension of New York University and currently has an undergraduate population of 6,581 students. The Pride compete in the NCAA's Coastal Athletic Association, a conference they have been a part of since 2001. Hofstra has previously made the NCAA Tournament in 1976, 1977, 2000, and 2001, but is still searching for its first tournament win.

  • Hofstra University was founded in 1935.
  • Hofstra joined the Coastal Athletic Association in 2001.
  • Hofstra made its 5th NCAA Tournament appearance in 2026.

The players

Hofstra University

A private research university located in Hempstead, New York, with an undergraduate population of 6,581 students as of fall 2024.

Coastal Athletic Association

The NCAA conference that Hofstra University has competed in since 2001, featuring 13 teams across the Eastern region of the United States.

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What’s next

The Hofstra Pride will face the No. 4 seed Alabama Crimson Tide in the Round of 64 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Hofstra University's basketball program has quietly built a strong mid-major resume, earning its fifth NCAA Tournament bid in 2026. While the Pride is still seeking its first March Madness win, the team's return to the big dance shines a spotlight on the school and its basketball program, which continues to compete at a high level despite not being a household name.