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Hofstra Looks to Make March Madness Noise
Coach Speedy Claxton believes his team is "a force to be reckoned with" heading into the NCAA Tournament
Mar. 15, 2026 at 12:40am
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Hofstra University's men's basketball team, led by head coach Speedy Claxton, is heading to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 25 years. Claxton, a former NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, is confident his team can make some noise in March Madness, saying they are "a force to be reckoned with" and are not just happy to be there, but want to win. The Pride had a strong season, including wins over ACC foes Pittsburgh and Syracuse, and Claxton is hoping they can draw a high-profile opponent in the opening round to showcase their talents on the national stage.
Why it matters
Hofstra's return to the NCAA Tournament is a significant milestone for the program, which has endured heartbreak and near-misses over the past 25 years. Coach Claxton, a former Hofstra player, has built the team into a contender and is looking to lead them to their first NCAA Tournament win since 2000. A strong showing in March Madness could raise the profile of the Hofstra program and the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) conference.
The details
Hofstra finished the regular season with a 24-10 record and won the CAA championship by defeating Monmouth 75-69 in the final. Along the way, they scored impressive wins over ACC foes Pittsburgh and Syracuse. Coach Claxton, who took over the program in 2021, is confident his team can compete with any opponent, saying "They lace their shoes up just like we do. They get dressed just like we do. It's a normal opponent. It's nothing that we haven't seen before." The team is led by CAA Freshman of the Year Preston Edmead, who hit a near-buzzer-beater in overtime to defeat Towson in the CAA semifinals.
- Hofstra last made the NCAA Tournament in 2000, when Claxton was a senior player under coach Jay Wright.
- Claxton took over the Hofstra program in 2021 after serving as an assistant coach under Joe Mihalich.
- Hofstra won the CAA championship on March 10, 2026, clinching their first NCAA Tournament berth in 25 years.
The players
Speedy Claxton
The head coach of the Hofstra men's basketball team. Claxton is a former NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs and played for Hofstra as a student, leading them to the NCAA Tournament in 2000.
Preston Edmead
The CAA Freshman of the Year, who hit a near-buzzer-beater in overtime to defeat Towson in the CAA semifinals and help Hofstra clinch their NCAA Tournament berth.
What they’re saying
“We're not going there just to be happy we're there … we're trying to win.”
— Speedy Claxton, Head Coach, Hofstra University
“We're going to be a force to be reckoned with.”
— Speedy Claxton, Head Coach, Hofstra University
What’s next
Hofstra will await their NCAA Tournament seeding and opponent, which will be announced on Selection Sunday.
The takeaway
Hofstra's return to the NCAA Tournament after a 25-year drought is a testament to the hard work and perseverance of Coach Speedy Claxton and his players. The Pride have proven they can compete with top-tier programs and are determined to make the most of their March Madness opportunity, aiming to pull off upsets and make some noise on the national stage.
