The Coastal Athletic Association title is on the line Tuesday night as Monmouth and Hofstra meet in Washington, D.C. with an NCAA Tournament berth awaiting the winner. Both programs enter the championship game playing some of their best basketball of the season. Hofstra arrives with a 23-10 record after surviving a dramatic overtime battle against Towson in the semifinal, while Monmouth sits at 19-14 after defeating Campbell to reach the final. The Pride have been slightly stronger across the full season, yet Monmouth has been one of the hottest teams in the league entering this Monmouth vs Hofstra contest with everything on the line.
Our Monmouth vs Hofstra Pick
Pick:
Confidence: 3 out of 5
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Monmouth Hawks @ Hofstra Pride
- Date & Time: Tuesday, March 10, 7:00 PM ET
- Venue: CareFirst Arena, Washington, District of Columbia
- Broadcast: CBS Sports Network
Key Storylines
This championship game features two teams that have taken different paths through the conference season. Hofstra finished the regular season with the stronger record and owns one of the top offenses in the CAA, averaging nearly 76 points per game. The Pride also entered the final with a nine wins in their last ten games, including a dominant 92-61 victory over William and Mary before slipping past Towson in overtime last night.
Monmouth has been just as impressive recently. The Hawks have won eight of their last ten games and advanced through the bracket with victories over Drexel and Campbell. During that stretch, Monmouth has leaned on aggressive defense and balanced scoring to keep opponents around the 70-point mark.
Another storyline involves the previous meetings. The teams have already met twice this season. Hofstra won the most recent matchup 73-57 behind a strong defensive performance. That result will certainly factor into the game plan for both sides as they battle for the conference crown.
Key Players
Hofstra Pride
- Cruz Davis: Hofstra’s offense runs through Davis, who averages about 20.5 points and 4.6 assists per game. The senior guard has been one of the most dynamic scorers in the conference and regularly creates offense late in the shot clock. His ability to break down defenses makes him the focal point of the Pride attack.
- Preston Edmead: Edmead provides crucial perimeter shooting for Hofstra. He averages 15.8 points and nearly 5 rebounds, and he showed his value in the semifinal by scoring 22 points and hitting the game winning three pointer in overtime.
- Joshua DeCady: DeCady supplies interior scoring and rebounding. His physical presence helps Hofstra control the paint and limit second chances.
Monmouth Hawks
- Jalen Rivera Torres: Rivera Torres leads Monmouth in scoring at 15.8 points per game and also contributes 8.2 rebounds. His ability to score both inside and outside makes him the Hawks’ most versatile weapon.
- Kavion McClain: McClain has been the team’s hottest scorer recently, averaging 16.9 points over the last ten games. His production has helped drive Monmouth’s late season surge.
- Jack Collins: Collins operates as the primary facilitator with 4.6 assists per game. He also contributes steals and plays a key role in the Hawks’ defensive pressure.
Stat Comparison
| Stat | Monmouth | Hofstra |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 72.8 | 75.6 |
| Points allowed per game | 70.7 | 66.0 |
| Team Field Goal % | 44% | 44% |
| Rebounds per game | 35.1 | 39.2 |
| Assists per game | 13.9 | 12.8 |
Head-to-Head and Betting Trends
- Hofstra is 2-0 against Monmouth so far this season.
- Hofstra is 20-10 against the spread heading into this matchup.
- Monmouth holds a 16-14-1 record against the spread for the year.
Monmouth vs Hofstra Model Projection
Score Projection:
Win Probability:
Final Thoughts
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