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.
Pick: Hofstra -5.5 ATS PRO
Confidence: 3 out of 5
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.
Hofstra Pride
Monmouth Hawks
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 |
Score Projection: Monmouth 66 – Hofstra 75 ATS PRO
Win Probability: Monmouth 38%, Hofstra 62% ATS PRO
This championship game features two teams playing their best basketball at the right time, yet Hofstra carries the stronger overall body of work. The Pride has the conference’s most explosive scorer in Cruz Davis, a reliable perimeter shooter in Preston Edmead, and a defense that allows only about 66 points per game. Monmouth’s recent surge suggests the Hawks can keep things competitive, especially with their aggressive defensive style. Still, Hofstra’s balance on offense and its advantage on the glass should give the Pride the edge in the closing minutes. I'll lay the points with Hofstra here.
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