Coach Butch van Breda Kolff knew going into the season that he had a great scorer in Junior wing Rich Laurel to rely upon.  Laurel did not disappoint as he led the team in scoring.  Laurel relied on a strong mid-range jump shot (he is still adjusting to the three-point line but he is getting there) and the ability to get to the hoop.  He loved taking clutch shots and is a vital part of Hofstra break.  Laurel is the guy you wanted to take the shot in a pressure situation.  Laurel is a true shake and bake player who is famous for his head band and his ability to turn defenders ankles.  He can also post up (he is 6’6 after all) and get his points the hard way.  Laurel just loves to score and will do whatever it takes to get the ball in the hoop. 

Senior Bill Thieben is the other reliable scorer Hofstra had going in and he had a solid season as well.  Thieben is the only true post-up player on the roster and he complimented the fast-paced style of his teammates.  Though undersized (6’6 195)  Thieben is also a terrific rebounder and not only led the team but the entire conference in boards.  This kid has been dominant since he got here from Sayville New York.  He is the guy the team went to in the paint when they actually set up in a half court set.  Big Bill is a throwback player who loves to take his time when he gets the ball in the post and works his butt off to get rebounds on both ends.  Thieben may not get the recognition of some other big men in the New York area but he is as important to his team as any of them. 

Junior John ‘Garp’ Irving is the force in the middle for Hofstra.  Not a big scorer, Irving earns his keep under the boards and by taking up space and being physical.  At six nine 235, he has the size to bang with anyone and Hofstra needed it with their lack of big men.  A relentless rebounder who does all the physical things this team needed.  Coach van Breda Kolff called Irving his most reliable player and consistent performer and probably the guy the team could have not done without.  He also stepped up offensively when needed as he averaged over 14 points a game in the conference tourney.  You have to have guys who will do the dirty work down low if you are going to have the type of up-tempo game Hofstra played and Irving and Thieben are as good of blue-collar players as there are in the American East.  If this duo was a couple of inches bigger a piece they might be mentioning this team in the same breath as a St. John’s or Syracuse.  That’s okay around these parts as the fans know who their guys are and love their underdog and working man like mentality.

The player that best defines the Flying part of Hofstra this year is senior Steve Nisenson.  Nisenson began last season platooning at the point guard but quickly proved he is the main man in the backcourt for Hofstra.  Nisenson did not earn all-conference honorts for nothing.  This 6’2 jewish kid is quicker than he looks and he makes Hofstra break go.  He is also a superb shooter who can light it up from long-range..  In a league with so many terrific point guards, Nisenson showed not only that he belonged but that he is the elite of the class and earned his second team All-Conference selection.  He will be going for the gusto this year and wants that 1st team medal.  He has also become the face of the program and may be the most popular player in the Greater New York City area and that includes the Knicks.  Nisenson might be returning later from an overseas tour with other D-1 jewish kids (Tai Brody, Ronny Watts) which culminates in a big tourney in the Holy Land in October.  This might open the door for a few of the underclassmen (and new recruits) to get their reps in at the point.  Sophomores Frank Walker and Robby Weingard split time on the JV and bring different games to the table.  Weingard does not score much but is a good defender and a ridiculous passer.  Walker can score and will set up teammates and is a terrific defender.  If Nisenson isn’t ready in November, Walker will get the nod unless that incoming freshman named after that Mexican mouse is as good as they say he is!

The fifth starter will either be Wandy Williams or Richie Schwarz.  Last year this duo combined with Nisenson to give Hofstra a superb backcourt.  Williams can score from anywhere and like Nisenson can really get to the hoop.  He is bigger than Schwarz (6’2 to 6’0) and can be physical in the paint.  He knows how to get his shot off against bigger guys and get some and ones.  Wandyvision is developing some range but is more of a mid-range shooter at least for now but can really fill the lanes next to Nisenson on the formidable Dutchmen break.  Schwarz is consistent on both ends and a bit better perimeter shooter but nowhere near as good athletically.  Still, ‘May the Schwarz be with you’ still started most of the year as apparently VBK wanted an all Hebrew backcourt but Williams ended up playing more minutes and scoring more points.  This dynamic and experienced trio will keep the pressure on opposing teams.  They might be the best jewish backcourt in the country.  VbK is not afraid to go the JC or transfer portal to bring in some talent either. 

The bench for van Breda Kolff and Hofstra featured a lack of big men but a group of solid role players.  Williams, of course, became a supersub off the bench.  He almost averaged double figures and his unselfishness is a huge impact for this team.  Van Breda Kolff put him in lineups with Nisenson and Schwarz in a super up tempo lineup that could really score.  Junior Ken Rood and sophomore LeRoy Allen are shooters off the pine.  ‘Why you got to be so’ Rood can hit open jumpers but does not bring much on the defensive end.  Still, he did his job and made some huge shots off the bench. Allen is the best long-range shooter on the team and is relied on to spread defenses.  He was one of those kids who yo-yoed up and down from JV to varsity but does have a defined role. Sophomore David Taylor is the closest thing the team has to a defensive presence underneath.  Taylor can block a shot and score a little and helps on the boards behind Irving and Thieben. This kid from just up the road at Lido Beach (I know you all just said that in Boz’s voice didn’t you) got plenty of minutes and delivered with a solid second season and is the heir apparent to Thieben next year.  He is not a stud down low but gets the job done and does all the little things you need and may be the most consistent player on a roster filled with solid players.  Van breda Kolff rotated several other guys in trying to find another solid big man.  Barry ‘Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Baby” White is one of the group of post guys who got a chance however limited it is.  He can score and board but is a bit undersized at 6’6. Junior Dave Bell got some big minutes and played well.  This 6’8 kid can score and board but played out of position at center too often.  He, like Thieben, is a true power forward and will rotate in and is solid.  Seniors Jim Boatright, John Farmer and Henry Schwab as well as junior Quinas Brower will battle for leftover minutes and try to establish their own role to stay on the court.  All of these guys can board but none of them are big enough (none are over 6’7) or athletic enough to be rim protectors nor big scorers.  Hofstra do miss a true big man who could block shots and defend some of the bigger players in the league but were content having their group of workmanlike post players down low.   At times Hofstra seemed more content on trying to outscore teams than from stopping them from scoring at all.  However, this style of play definitely fit their personnel if not the personality of the team and the fans love it. 

The boys from Hofstra got the fans of Long Island motivated as they played an up-tempo game that scored often. The ‘one eyed’ boys from Hofstra fought through a terrible start that saw them lose four of their first six and six of their first ten.  Once Coach Butch van Breda Kolff got his rotation going things got better.  Much better.  Hofstra almost ran the table from there and almost won the American East Conference outright in their first year in the league but ended up settling for a three-way tie for first.  A last second prayer kept the boys from dancing and for some reason the local NIT did not select Hofstra to play in their tourney.  Hofstra proved they belonged in this ever-improving conference with a style of play that is exhilarating for the fans of New York.  They do have most of their players returning and are looking forward to another good year with their exciting brand of hoops that truly fits their nickname.  The biggest question is whether or not this Pride actually flies the coup to another league as these gypsies have not stayed put in a conference for more than a couple of years ever.