It has been a banner year for New York area college hoops teams and it's time to recognize that basketball is back in the neighborhood. The New York college basketball scene has been reserved for Jim Boeheim and the Syracuse Orange for what feels like decades. The Cuse has been the team New Yorkers have gravitated towards and while there can still be some pride in the Orange, Syracuse feels worlds away from this area.
Growing up many of us remember the Chris Mullen days, and even the Lopez days with St. John's, but those memories have faded over the decades, not years. This new group of successful teams has many of us feeling enthusiastic about where college basketball is headed and we can't wait for the next step.
The Hofstra Pride have been a quality program for a long time, but this year they ramped it up with an 11 game winning streak to end the regular season and a regular season title in the CAA, add to that a plus 23 win season and that is mighty impressive. Many are looking at the Pride as a potential bid, even if they don't win their conference tournament. Some even see them causing trouble early in the field of 68. The Fordham Rams are 2nd in the very tough A-10 conference and sit with 20+ wins in a historic year for them. The Rams grabbed the attention of the national media and their rise this season has been one of the best storylines.
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So, all in all basketball in New York is doing just fine despite the sub par years for the Johnnies and Orange. Iona, Colgate and Hofstra are league winners and Fordham is on the way up. As we head into the field of 68, who's your "hometown" team that can be pulling an upset or two?