Conference rivals are set to clash in a pivotal showdown on Thursday. After a disappointing 2024-25 campaign, Hofstra (16-9, 7-5) has bounced back this season. Now, the Pride will face one of their toughest challenges yet, a road date at the College of Charleston (16-9, 9-3). The Cougars have been one of the Coastal Athletic Association’s premier programs over the past handful of years. That’s continued this season under head coach Chris Mack.
Charleston enters tonight as 1.5-point favorites (+100) over Hofstra. The total is set at 145.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook. Here’s a college basketball pick, preview and prediction for Thursday’s game between the Pride and Cougars.
Hofstra vs. Charleston prediction, preview
It’s been a remarkable turnaround for the Pride, who have already surpassed last season’s win total. Head coach Speedy Claxton has always sought to build tough, defensive-minded squads. The biggest difference has come on the other end of the floor. During the 2024-25 season, Hofstra’s 101.2 offensive rating was 306th in the nation. This year, that ranking has jumped all the way to 83rd (114.5). Key to that effort has been phenomenal shooting. The Pride are knocking down 37.9% of their three-point attempts, 25th-best in college basketball.
In terms of players, it all starts in the backcourt for Hofstra. Cruz Davis has been a monster all year, leading the CAA with 21.0 points per game. In addition, the senior has chipped in with 3.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists. Fellow guard Preston Edmead has impressed, as well. The freshman phenom is putting up 15.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. Slowing the two down is key to stopping the Pride’s offense, but that’s easier said than done. No one else on this roster is averaging double-digit points. However, that’s due in part to a deliberate pace. Hofstra is operating at an offensive tempo of 65.2 on KenPom, 292nd out of 365 Division I schools
The records might be identical, but a look under the hood raises some question marks for Charleston. For starters, a +.093 luck rating on KenPom is the 22nd-highest in college basketball. In comparison, Hofstra’s -.094 luck rating is the 15th-lowest mark in the nation. With that being said, C of C is the more well-rounded group on offense. Six different players on the team (that are currently healthy) are posting at least 9.0 points per game. Leading the way is forward Jlynn Counter (16.8 PPG, 5.4 REB, 5.3 AST).
Unlike the Pride, C of C struggles mightily from long distance. The Cougars are only knocking down 28.8% of their three-point attempts this season. Just four players in the rotation are shooting above 30% from beyond the arc. To make matters worse, Charleston’s 50.4% effective field goal percentage is fifth-worst among all 13 CAA members.
It’s not as if the Cougars excel on the other end of the floor. Their 106.7 defensive rating is just 203rd in the nation. To boot, it’s the fifth-worst mark in the conference. Against an elite duo such as Davis and Edmead, that doesn’t inspire much confidence. Hofstra’s 33.8% offensive rebounding rate, 43rd-best in NCAAM, could also pose problems down low. Charleston is a middle of the road unit on the glass, ranking 182nd in defensive rebounding rate (71.4%).
Hofstra vs. Charleston pick, best bet
This isn’t an unfamiliar spot for the Pride. They’ve already earned away wins against ACC programs in Syracuse and Pittsburgh. In addition, the school lost by four points on the road against UCF, an above-average Big 12 program. On the flip side, Charleston hasn’t recorded a victory against high-major competition. Looking over the advanced metrics, Hofstra is the better team by a decent margin. The Cougars have home-court advantage, but I’d rather back a more talented Hofstra squad at even money.
