March Madness: 3 things to know about Alabama, Hofstra's opponent
Alabama guard Aaron Estrada shoots past Clemson forward Ian Schieffelin, right, during the first half of an NCAA Tournament Elite Eight game on March 30, 2024, in Los Angeles. Credit: AP/Ryan Sun
1. Common bond
Hofstra and Alabama have never met in men’s basketball, but they do have a link in Aaron Estrada, a recent former player for both sides. He was a two-time CAA Player of the Year for Hofstra (although he never took the Pride to the NCAA Tournament), then transferred to Alabama for his final season of eligibility. He started 37 games and averaged 13.4 points for the Tide in 2023-24, when they reached the Final Four. “I know he’s rooting for the Pride,” Hofstra coach Speedy Claxton said of his former player. “I’m not too worried about that. Hopefully he can attend the game.” That seems unlikely; Estrada currently is playing pro ball in Greece.
2. Tide-turners
Sophomore guard Labaron Philon Jr. leads Alabama with 21.7 points per game and junior guard Aden Holloway adds 16.8. Freshman Amari Allen, a 6-8 forward, is the team’s top rebounder with 7.1 per game. Allen has hit 44 three-pointers, so he is a threat inside and out.
3. No stranger to NCAAs
Alabama is making its sixth straight NCAA Tournament appearance and won a first-round game in each of the previous three years. The Tide appeared in six straight tournaments from 1982-87.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
