New-look Hofstra nowhere near full potential, but upside is plentiful after win over Iona

Jaquan Sanders led Hofstra with 24 points as Pride improved to 2-0 following win over Iona. (Photo by Matteo Bracco/Hofstra Athletics)

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — Like most mid-major coaches, Speedy Claxton experienced the less glamorous side of the transfer portal this past offseason, this time more than usual.

Claxton had been blessed to an extent during his first three seasons at Hofstra, retaining most of his players at a level where rosters have become a revolving door to programs. The coach managed to keep Tyler Thomas on Long Island last season after Aaron Estrada parlayed his success into a payday and Final Four trip at Alabama, but was not as fortunate seven months ago.

Thomas, Jacco Fritz and Bryce Washington graduated, Dstone Dubar was lured to Tennessee through the portal, and Jaquan Carlos took his talents to Syracuse. Six players returned this year, only three of whom saw significant minutes on a 20-win outfit a year ago.

But as the portal takes away, it also gives back. In their place stands an overhauled backcourt, with Iona transfers Jean Aranguren and Cruz Davis—the latter having a cup of coffee at St. John’s before an injury granted him a medical redshirt—joining Seton Hall expatriate Jaquan Sanders to give the Pride its traditional three-guard attack. And after the trio, led by Sanders’ 24 points and five 3-pointers, won the host side its third straight meeting against Iona on Friday, Claxton was emphatically satisfied with what he had just witnessed.

“Love it,” he proclaimed after Hofstra’s 90-76 victory over the Gaels, which pushed the Pride to 2-0 on the young season. “Love it. Jean and Cruz, they’re two tough guys. The first two games, they’ve been great for us and hopefully they can continue, but I’m pleased with them, man. Over the top.”

Aranguren, the Venezuela native who had committed to Iona head coach Tobin Anderson while he was still at FDU, then followed him to New Rochelle when he took over the reins there, offered his former coach a reminder of what he continues to be. The Venezuelan sophomore—the last Iona player to enter the portal in the offseason—dazzled on Friday, easing his way into the game before finishing with 14 points, nine rebounds and nine assists to narrowly miss what would have been only the second triple-double in Hofstra history.

Jean Aranguren, who transferred from Iona in offseason, nearly racked up a triple-double against his former school Friday, posting 14 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. (Photo by Matteo Bracco/Hofstra Athletics)

“This is what we envisioned,” Claxton said of Aranguren and his potential impact. “He’s a really good player, he works hard at his game, and I think the sky’s the limit for the kid. As long as he continues to work hard, I think he’s gonna be a really good player for us.”

The other trademark for Hofstra is its platoon at the center spot. From Nelson Boachie-Yiadom and Warren Williams to Jacco Fritz and Silas Sunday, the yin and yang in the paint has now become Michael Graham and Sunday, with a third option now present in freshman Joshua Decady. On Friday, Graham impressed with 14 points, seven rebounds—all but one of which came on the offensive glass—and four blocked shots, while Sunday matched Graham’s offensive output to set a new personal best.

“I told (Sunday) he was the X-factor,” Claxton revealed. “We knew that he was gonna be a big part coming into the game, and to his credit, he held up. I’m extremely with Silas and the way he played.”

“The last couple years, ever since my first year, we’ve kind of had a double-headed monster at the big spot. And this year, we’ve got three guys that we feel comfortable about. We’re happy with all three of them, but (Friday) was Michael and Silas, the first game it was Decady. On any given night, we don’t know we don’t know which five man is going to produce for us, but we’re ecstatic about all of them.”

The same optimism holds true across the board after five players tallied 14 or more points Friday, giving Hofstra extra momentum going into its next matchup on Wednesday against a team in Seton Hall that is also retooled to a vast degree. The Pride is no stranger to knocking off high-major foes in recent years, defeating Arkansas in the past and nearly upsetting St. John’s last December. With productive showings like the one his unit presented Friday, Claxton has reason to be bullish on his squad’s chances, even if the canvas has just begun to be traced with the preliminary sketch of early-season artwork.

“We’re well-balanced,” he assessed. “Any given night, any guy can hurt you, but I love the balance from (Sanders) to Silas to Michael, to Cruz and Jean. We’re still in the learning process, but we’re getting there. I’m happy with where we’re at right now.”