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NCAA Basketball: 3 exciting mid-major programs to watch in 2021-22 season

By Cody Mitchell

JACKSONVILLE, FL - MARCH 20: The NCAA March Madness logo on the floor during the NCAA Basketball First round practice session at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on March 20, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - MARCH 20: The NCAA March Madness logo on the floor during the NCAA Basketball First round practice session at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on March 20, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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NCAA Basketball Kvonn Cramer Hofstra Pride (Photo by Benjamin Solomon/Getty Images)
NCAA Basketball Kvonn Cramer Hofstra Pride (Photo by Benjamin Solomon/Getty Images) /

Hofstra Pride

True die-hard college basketball fans may call this a hot take, but the table is set for head coach Speedy Claxton to keep this program atop the ranks of the CAA. Claxton, the former NBA guard, is taking over for Joe Mihalich who is now an advisor to the athletic director at Hofstra. Claxton is taking over a program that is 87-38 over its last four seasons with the best being in 2019-2020, where the Pride finished 26-8 and went on to win the CAA conference tournament.

The situation for the Pride could turn from great to spectacular if just one of their top scorers from a year ago return for a super senior season. Jalen Ray and Tareq Coburn are more than likely as good as gone, the two combined for over 34 points per game last season but still quite possible.

Their coach didn’t take another job or get fired he simply stepped down and is taking on another role in the university where he still likely has some sort of input on the team. Big man Isacc Kante has a more realistic chance of coming back to school. He averaged over 12 points and 10 rebounds last season and could be a real difference-maker if he does indeed come back.

Now to the guys that are for sure coming into the program next season. Guard Zach Cooks is coming over from NJIT to more and likely take over the void left behind from the Pride’s graduates. Cooks is a pure scorer with a knack for getting to the basket and finish in a variety of ways at the rim.

In his last season at NJIT, he averaged 17.1 points and 4.9 rebounds. His subpar three-point percentage, 33.7%, is a bit misleading as he was really the only shot-maker on his team which led to some last-second shot clock heaves and tough late-game shots. Cooks should be able to come in and be a big contributor from day one.

From St. Peters to Oregon and now to Hofstra, Aaron Estrada is headed back to the mid-major ranks. Estrada avered 8.1 ppg as a freshman at St.Peters which may not seem like a ton but St. Peters plays a very team-oriented and slow-paced style of offense. While not getting a ton of time at Oregon he should see a massive influx with the Pride and should be looked at as a real CAA all first-team candidate.

Returning to next season are two quality contributors in Kvonn Cramer and Caleb Burgess. Cramer is a 6’6 swingman that can grab boards and score down in the post. Not a great shooter from the outside but surely is capable of knocking down an open look. Burgess was the teams leading assists man from a year ago. Plays like a true point guard and will be the primary ball-handler for the Pride next season.

We will wait and see if any of last year’s players will be returning next season, either way, the Pride will be in good shape. With some talent returning and some big-time transfers coming in, coach Claxton should be able to step in and keep the program atop of the CAA ranks.

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