Hempstead, NY – The Hofstra Men's Basketball team will open the 2014-15 campaign on Friday when it hosts Jacksonville at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex. Tip-off for the Pride's season opener is expected shortly after 8 p.m.

The game is part of a doubleheader with the women's basketball team as they will host Central Connecticut State at 6 p.m. 

For ticket information to all Hofstra Basketball games please call the Hofstra Athletics Box Office at (516) HOF-TIXX. 

Prior to the doubleheader there will be a Hofstra Student Pre-Game Rally at 5 p.m. in the Mack Sports Complex. The event will be a great way to kick-off the 2014-15 Hofstra Basketball seasons as there will be free food and drinks, along with tons of giveaways as well. Kate and Willie will also be there to take photos. We also ask that all Hofstra fans wear their Midnight Madness t-shirts to the games. 

Hofstra heads into the season with greater expectations as a trio of returning starters is joined on the active roster by four players who sat out last season. In addition, three talented newcomers join the program as well as the Pride looks to make its ascent up the college basketball landscape. 

The Pride will feature three returning starters in senior forward/center Moussa Kone, graduate guard Dion Nesmith and sophomore guard Jamall Robinson. Both Nesmith and Robinson earned Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) honors a season ago Nesmith was named to the All-CAA third team, while Robinson garnered CAA All-Rookie accolades. 

Reinforcements have arrived for Hofstra this season as well as junior guard Juan'ya Green, junior forward Ameen Tanksley, sophomore guard Brian Bernardi and freshman guard Eliel Gonzalez are all now eligible after sitting out the 2013-14 season.

Green comes in with a ton of accolades already under his belt and he will be asked to be the leader of this year's Pride after previously earning all-conference honors while playing at Niagara. Most recently he was named to the preseason All-CAA first team. 

This will mark the fourth all-time meeting between Hofstra and Jacksonville with the Dolphins having won the previous three meetings. The last meeting occurred during the 1974-75 season with JU winning by the score of 87-68. 

Jacksonville went 12-18 a season ago and is under the direction of first year coach Tony Jasick. The Dolphins return six letterwinners and have added eight newcomers to the roster.